Video courtesy of WINK News
LEE HEALTH EXPANDS IN-PATIENT CANCER CENTER AT GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER
Lee Health’s new state-of-the-art in-patient cancer center debuts today at Gulf Coast Medical Center, ushering in a new era of cancer care in Southwest Florida. The newly expanded regional cancer center increases the number of beds for patients from 45 to 72 and also has beds for family members, WINK News reports. Dennis Bruens, vice president of oncology and palliative care at Lee Health, knows the value of making space for families and support systems when it comes to cancer care. “Cancer care is not just one intervention. This is a journey that you go through for some time,” he says.
MORAN WEALTH MANAGEMENT PARTNERS WITH BARRON’S TO BENEFIT FGCU STUDENTS
Moran Wealth Management announces a new collaboration with the Barron’s in Education Program from Dow Jones, to benefit students attending the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Moran Wealth Management has entered a two-year agreement with Barron’s in Education, a program dedicated to promoting financial proficiency for the next generation, to gift FGCU students and faculty with a suite of resources to supplement their studies and professional development. As part of the program, students and faculty at the FGCU Lutgert College of Business will receive digital access to Barron’s online content, weekly newsletters and webinars. Members of the Moran Wealth Management Team will also speak to students about investment planning and management and other topics related to students’ courses of study and interests. To learn more about the Baron’s in Education program, click here.
RAHMANIAN NAMED CYPRESS COVE MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Bob Rahmanian, D.O. has been appointed medical director for Cypress Cove, a south Fort Myers continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Rahmanian will assume his new duties with Cypress Cove beginning Sept. 1. He will be responsible for the development and oversight of Cypress Cove resident care policies and procedures. Rahmanian will assist in the coordination of medical care across the entire continuum of care on the 48-acre Cypress Cove campus located at the southwest corner of HealthPark Florida. Rahmanian, who completed his pre-medical studies at Wayne State University and medical schooling at Des Moines University, brings to the organization 20 years of experience as an emergency department physician. He has been providing care at skilled nursing community facilities in Lee and Collier Counties for the past five years. A credentialed hospice physician, Rahmanian has also been active with the use of telehealth since 2008.
Angel Cerritos
BONITA SPRINGS YMCA WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Angel Cerritos has started his new position as executive director at the Bonita Springs YMCA. Before working for the Bonita Springs YMCA, Cerritos served as the executive director at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, where he oversaw community development, fundraising, and board development in Loudoun County, Virginia. During his time at the Loudoun YMCA branch, Cerritos expanded the youth programs from eight off-sites to its current 13 off-sites, opened a new early learning center, and grew its budget from $684,000 to $2.6 million, according to a news release. Since starting this new position, Cerritos has worked with the Bonita Springs YMCA team to continue to offer programs and services amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cerritos and his team recently opened the Suwyn Early Learning Center, which will offer programs to help children develop essential school readiness skills through exploration, investigation, and, age-appropriate activities.
STUDIO+ APPOINTS FORT MYERS PRINCIPAL
Studio+ has appointed Daniel R. Pickett as principal in its Fort Myers office. Pickett has worked at multiple top 100 national and international design firms, according to a news release. As principal, Pickett will put his 25-plus years of broad market, design, and operational experience to mentor and lead designers while assuming various business development responsibilities. Pickett will serve as principal-in-charge of key national clients and represent Studio+ locally. His addition to Studio+ significantly expands its portfolio of design work. For more information, visit wearestudioplus.com.
Mike Moss
CYPRESS LIVING APPOINTS VP OF SALES AND MARKETING
Cypress Living has appointed former Lee Health executive Mike Moss as vice president of sales and marketing for the company. Moss, who served as system director for physician relations and business development at Lee Health, will be responsible for oversight and development of sales and marketing functions at Cypress Living and its affiliates: the nearby 48-acre continuing care retirement community of Cypress Cove and Cypress at Home, a multi-faceted company featuring a suite of in-home care services. Until accepting his new role with Cypress Living, Moss has spent the past 10 years managing physician relations, business development, and continuum of care relations teams to ensure coordinated health, wellness, and medical care for providers and residents living in Southwest Florida. He earned his Bachelor of Science in healthcare management from the University of Alabama and his Master of Arts in management and leadership from Liberty University. Moss is also a certified sales executive and holds a graduate certificate in digital marketing.
ZINNLAW WELCOMES NEW LITIGATION ASSOCIATE
Southwest Florida law firm ZinnLaw has added Brett Gold as a new associate. In this position, Gold will be involved in civil and commercial litigation, business disputes such as breach of contract claims, real estate litigation, and construction disputes. Prior to joining the firm, Gold worked as an assistant state attorney practicing criminal litigation for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Punta Gorda. He served also as a resident at law practicing estate planning, wills and trusts. Gold completed his doctor of jurisprudence early with cum laude honors from Ave Maria School of Law in Naples after attending on a full-tuition academic scholarship. Prior to law school, he received his Bachelor of Science in finance with cum laude honors from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Hodges’ PTA program partners with Chipotle for fundraiser
Hodges University’s Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program students have partnered with Chipotle for a fundraiser held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 26 at Chipotle at 8061 Dani Drive, Suite 140 in Fort Myers. Thirty-three percent of the proceeds will benefit the Hodges CAPTE-accredited, PTA program. For more information, visit Hodges.edu.
Naples North Rotary Club distributing wheelchairs to those who need them
The Naples North Rotary Club is teaming up with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office to help people get around a little bit easier. It’s called the “Wheels of Hope” program, which has about 100 wheelchairs ready for Collier County residents who need them most. “We are really targeting the people that do need it and it will make a major impact on their lives and they do not have the financial means to get one themselves,” said Carrie Kerskie, the club’s president-elect. For more information on how to request a wheelchair from the Rotary Club, click here.
Opera Naples receives $1 million gift from David & Cecile Wang Trust
Opera Naples has received a $1 million gift from the David I.J. Wang Trust. David and Cecile Wang have been long-time friends and supporters of Opera Naples, says Jerry Goldberg, former Opera Naples board chairman and current board member “The Wangs are our largest cumulative donors,” Goldberg says. “Our relationship goes back to before their original gift of $500,000 in 2012 for the first phase of construction of what is today the Wang Opera Center.” For information, visit operanaples.org or call (239) 963-9050.
Class of 2020 graduate of Immokalee High School and Immokalee Foundation student Gisselle Nava.
The Immokalee Foundation awarded $15,000 grant
The Immokalee Foundation has received a $15,000 grant from the CLA Foundation to support Career Pathways, the foundation’s career-oriented program that serves middle and high school students in Immokalee. The CLA Foundation funds efforts to create career opportunities for individuals through education, employment and entrepreneurship – directly aligning with the mission of The Immokalee Foundation to build pathways of success for the students of Immokalee through career exploration and life skills development. The ultimate goal is for students to achieve professional careers that provide economic independence and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. For more information, visit immokaleefoundation.org.
Special Olympics Florida receives $5,000 grant
Special Olympics Florida (SOFL) has received a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County. These funds will support general operations for sports training, competition, and healthcare programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Special Olympics Florida in Collier County serves more than 2,400 athletes and unified partners who participate in community sports, Unified Champion Schools, and young athletes programs. The programs open a gateway for SOFL athletes to achieve empowerment and acceptance in their communities. The SOFL team works with educators and coaches to implement programs that are inclusive; sensitive to behavioral, emotional and communicative needs; and inspire leadership within the population to embrace an inclusive culture. To learn more, visit specialolympicsflorida.org.
