LEE HEALTH COCONUT POINT OPENS
Lee Health Coconut Point officially opened its doors to patients on Dec. 3 as the first freestanding emergency department in Lee County. Lee Health Coconut Point is Lee Health’s new 163,500 square-foot outpatient facility located near the intersection of Coconut Road and U.S. 41, just south of the Coconut Point Mall in Estero. The 24-hour emergency department at Lee Health Coconut Point is located on the southwest side of the building and features 16 exam rooms and nine rooms for short-stay observation, on-site ambulance transportation quarters if patients need to be transported to a hospital, and telemedicine that helps link patients with specialists, such as neurologists for patients suffering from stroke. In addition to emergency care, Lee Health Coconut Point offers an array of health care services, including primary and specialty care services previously unavailable in this area of the county. Lee Health Coconut Point features. For more information, visit http://www.leehealth.org/coconut-point/.
QIAGEN, NEOGENOMICS PARTNER
QIAGEN N.V. and NeoGenomics Inc. have entered a master service agreement to accelerate the availability of innovative companion diagnostics that enable precision medicine for cancer patients. The partnership between QIAGEN and NeoGenomics will ensure day-one patient access to FDA-approved molecular tests paired with newly approved drugs for cancer, a press release states. The collaboration with NeoGenomics will allow QIAGEN and pharmaceutical partners to streamline the development and launch of targeted drugs and companion diagnostics to guide treatment decisions. The partnership offers flexible pathways leading to introduction of FDA-approved companion diagnostics simultaneously with launch of new therapies. For more information, click here.
SWFL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT
The Southwest Florida Community Foundation achieved a record level $6.8 million in funds invested in the community in fiscal year 2018, according to its 2017-2018 annual report. Encompassing grants, scholarships and other funded programs, that total represents a 47.8 percent increase over fiscal year 2017’s $4.6 million. The gain was due largely to a boost in grants awarded, which increased from $3 million last fiscal year to $5.2 million in fiscal year 2018, including grants supporting Hurricane Irma recovery. Total assets increased to $126.7 million, up from $112.2 million in fiscal year 2017, while investments rose 13.2 percent, from $76.5 million to $86.6 million during the same period. The increases in total assets are a result of new funds, New Market Tax Credits, additional contributions and investment returns. For the one-year period ending June 30, 2018, the foundation’s investments had a 7.7 percent gross return. Since its inception 42 years ago, the foundation has distributed more than $78.2 million in direct support to the community. For the full annual report, visit www.floridacommunity.com/annual-report.
ECONOMIC INCUBATORS PARTNERS WITH AREA COLLEGES
Collier County’s business accelerator program, a public-private partnership between Collier County and nonprofit Economic Incubators Inc., is expanding its partnership with the University of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College and Hodges University. The partnership will assist new and emerging businesses at the Naples Accelerator and the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee. Under a three-year agreement, the area colleges will provide business mentorships, essential services and a collaborative environment at the Naples Accelerator. The agreement builds upon an existing pact with the University of Florida and the Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee.
BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY ADDS CHARITY FOR CHANGE PROGRAM
Charity for Change's social-emotional learning program is now part of the kindergarten- to fifth- grade in-class curriculum for BridgePrep Academy of Collier. The web-based program, unique to Charity for Change, integrates academics with character education and philanthropy. Charity for Change's program teaches 19 character traits including respect, responsibility, cooperation, and tolerance through a cooperative learning curriculum. Students work together to select charities to support through donations, volunteering and fundraising. Donations are also generated through monetary rewards from Charity for Change as students complete the math and language arts curriculum. The overarching theme of the curriculum is character education and community involvement though charity. Local charities visit participating schools to enlighten and inspire students about their missions. For information call 239-592-6787 or visit CharityforChange.org.
VILLAGE BREWHOUSE TO OPEN
Kurt Brown has become the proprietor of Village Brewhouse, formerly Scotty’s Brewhouse, located at Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Village Brewhouse will open for business on Thursday. Brown aims to enhance the guest experience with small-business management focused on hospitality and value. Brown and his wife, Cindy, have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and Brown has served on the board for the Charlotte County Culinary Program and as treasurer of the Fishermen’s Village Merchant Association. Village Brewhouse and its outdoor bar is a family-friendly waterfront destination with 30 beers on tap with more than 40 televisions. For more information, visit www.thevillagebrewhouse.com.
FAGAN PROMOTED TO MANAGING BROKER
Royal Shell has promoted Mike Fagan to managing broker. Stationed at the firm’s Bonita Springs location, Fagan will accompany three other brokers, as well as president and managing broker Michael Polly, in serving clients in Lee and Collier counties. A nine-year veteran of the Southwest Florida real estate industry, Fagan joined Royal Shell in 2011 as a broker associate. His duties included promoting properties and advising clients, while simultaneously operating a family-owned, independent insurance agency, Fagan & Michaud, with his wife. As a broker license holder and GRI-designated Realtor, Fagan has achieved top-producer status and consistently earned the Bonita Springs-Estero Association of REALTORS’ Golden BEAR and Platinum BEAR Awards for outstanding multimillion-dollar sales performance. Fagan is a former Lee County law enforcement officer the formatter owner of a small business enterprise, operated out of his hometown of Westford, Massachusetts.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Naples Chamber to host Stuff-a-Bus Toy Drive
The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with Coastland Center Mall and B103.9 to host the inaugural community-wide Stuff-a-Bus Toy Drive, held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 20 at Coastland Center Mall outside of the food court. The mission is to stuff a bus entirely with children’s toys to be donated to Youth Haven and the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Community members are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for all ages the day of the drive. Attendees will enjoy live radio from B.103.9, refreshments from local vendors and contest opportunities. To learn more, visit www.napleschamber.org/stuffabus. Attendees of the Naples Chamber holiday party are welcome to drop off toys at the Hilton Naples the evening before if unable to attend the day-of drive. To purchase tickets to the Naples Chamber Annual Holiday Party, visit www.napleschamber.org/holidayparty.
Beasley Media Group presents inaugural Bike Drive
Beasley Media Group’s Southwest Florida radio stations will team up with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation of Lee County to host the inaugural Beasley Bike Drive. The event will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Walmart located at Estero Parkway and U.S. 41 in Estero. WXKB-FM, WJPT-FM, WRKX-FM, WWCN-FM, WRXK-HD2 and WJBX-AM will broadcast live throughout the day. Two local marines and The Toys for Tots truck will be on location to accept donations of new bikes, unwrapped toys, cash and gift cards to collect new bikes and unwrapped toys for area children in need during the holiday season.
True Fashionistas to host holiday party, movie showing
True Fashionistas will host a holiday party and Bad Moms movie showing at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Paragon Theater in Naples. Attendees are asked to bring a pair of new children’s shoes to be gifted to a child in need. The event will include popcorn, a drink, and and True Fashionistas swag bags that include its gift certificate. Tickets are $25 per person. All proceeds benefit Laces of Love. Register to attend at info@truefashionistasresale.com. Guests must be 18 or older.
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