ENPYS FINALISTS SELECTED
The Cape Coral Community Foundation has named 30 finalists for the second annual Excellence in Nonprofit Performance Yearly Awards (ENPYs). The awards luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Crowne Plaza Bell Tower in Fort Myers. A panel of impartial non-local judges selected three finalists from an online nomination process in each of the following categories: Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year, Nonprofit Organization of the Year, Nonprofit Executive of the Year, Nonprofit Employee of the Year, Business Partner of the Year, Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year, and Nonprofit Rising Organization of the Year. In addition, the Paul Sanborn Service Above Self Award, the Elmer Tabor Generosity Award and the Community Impact Award will be presented to three inspirational individuals. The Organization of the Year and Rising Organization of the Year will each be awarded a grant from the Cape Coral Community Foundation. For the full list of ENPYs finalists and more, visit TheENPYs.com.
LEE HEALTH HOSPITALS’ STROKE CARE EARNS AWARDS
Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital each earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Target Stroke Elite Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes success in implementing evidence-based guidelines and delivering excellent care for stroke patients. These awards acknowledge hospitals’ exceptional performance in administration of clot-busting tPA medication, which significantly reduces disability after stroke, according to a press release. To receive the Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all guideline indicators and 75 percent or higher compliance with six of the 10 guideline measures. The gold level is awarded for 24 consecutive months of performance achievement. To achieve the Target: Stroke Honor Roll–Elite Plus recognition, hospitals must administer clot-busting medication within 60 minutes of arrival to the facility in 75 percent or more of eligible acute ischemic strokes and within 45 minutes of arrival in 50 percent of eligible acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV tPA.
BENSON NAMED VICE CHAIR OF FHBA COUNCIL
Ryan Benson, principal with A. Vernon Allen Builder, has been elected as vice chairman of the Florida Home Builders Association’s (FHBA) Local President’s Council. The Local President’s Council is made up of the presidents of each of the 22 associations across the state operating under the FHBA umbrella. Established in 1949, FHBA is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Florida’s local/regional homebuilder associations. Benson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stetson University and his Master of Business Administration degree from Florida International University. He has been in the construction industry for nearly 20 years and was a finalist for the NAHB Young Professional’s Award. In 2017, Benson was named as one of Gulfshore Business magazine’s 40-under-40 recipients. Benson also serves as president of the Collier Building Industry Association, a delegate on both the board of directors of the Florida Home Builders Association and NAHB for 2018. Additionally, Benson is a trustee for Canterbury School, past president of Naples Gulfshore Rotary, and vice chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County.
NAPLES GRANDE BEACH RESORT TO DEBUT RENOVATIONS
Naples Grande Beach Resort has undergone a transformative renovation of more than $3 million to its meeting and event spaces. Debuting Sunday, the resort’s ballroom level will receive head-to-toe enhancements to its design and facilities. The spaces will offer upgrades in modern technology, along with a new, coastal-inspired design. Designed in partnership with Verve Collaborative, the renovations will be the latest set of changes to the resort following its multimillion-dollar renovation post-Hurricane Irma. In addition to Naples Grande Beach Resort’s ballroom spaces, its adjacent breakout rooms are receiving renovations. For more information, visit www.naplesgrande.com/meetings.
BAYFRONT HEALTH WELCOMES VASCULAR SURGEON
Dr. Eileen C. de Grandis, a board-certified general and vascular surgeon, has joined Bayfront Health Medical Group and is currently seeing patients at 2380 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. De Grandis has been treating patients in Southwest Florida for the past two years. Her conditions and diseases managed include a variety of peripheral arterial, aortic, access and venous procedures, including open bypass, and aortic and arterial reconstruction. She is specially trained in minimally invasive surgery techniques for limb salvage and vein disease. De Grandis earned her doctor of medicine from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia and completed a general surgery residency at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of Minnesota. She is accepting new patients and most often can see them same day. To schedule an appointment, call (941) 206-0325. For more information, visit www.BayfrontMedicalGroup.com.
BONITA BEACH TRAVEL HIRED KUJAWA
Bonita Beach Travel has added Michelle Kujawa as a concierge travel agent. Kujawa has been helping Southwest Florida families and individuals with travel arrangements for nearly three decades. She specializes in private guided tours, group travel, cruises, family getaways and independent luxury excursions for travel within the U.S. as well as international destinations. Originally from Connecticut, Kujawa moved to Naples in 1993 after completing her training at the World Tek Travel School. In 1996, she founded Gulfshore Travel, a Naples-based travel agency that she recently sold. Meetings are available by appointment by calling (239) 450-3114 or emailing michellektravel@gmail.com.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Lipman Family Farms to host inspirational event for Immokalee students
Lipman Family Farms will host “The End Game,” from 9-11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Immokalee High School auditorium. The event aims to educate Immokalee juniors and seniors on the evolving definition of success, the various paths to achieving success and the potential they have to affect the future of Immokalee. Many of the expert panelists identify first-hand with what it’s like to be an Immokalee student with the drive to find their own success. Juanita Martinez, program director at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, will serve as one of the speakers. Martinez, a daughter to migrant parents, was raised in Immokalee by a family that motivated her to achieve her dreams of obtaining a college education, a press release states. “The End Game” will feature two separate panel discussions, #Findingmyway and #Bringitback. For more information, contact Jaime Weisinger at (239) 657-4421 or Jaime.Weisinger@lipmanfamilyfarms.com.
Tickets now available for Arts for ACT gala, fine art auction
Tickets are now on sale for Arts for ACT “A Night At Studio 54” Gala and Fine Art Auction. The event, presented by Bill Smith Appliances and Electronics, will take place from 5-10 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point. Stephen Blancett and Marc Collins serve as the event co-chairs and Norman and Mary Love are the honorary chairs. The fundraising event benefits Abuse Counseling and Treatment Inc. (ACT). Tickets are $175 each and $1,800 for a reserved table of 10. Guests may purchase tickets by visiting http://e.givesmart.com/events/blm or calling (239) 939-2553. For more information on how to join as a supporter, contact Jennifer Benton at (239) 939-2553 or jbenton@actabuse.com.
All-inclusive fun run to benefit STARability Foundation
The STARability Foundation invites members of the community of all ages and abilities to Naples’ inaugural All Abilities 2018 Fun Run Event, held at 8 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Cambier Park. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. Participants can participate in the 3K fun run at their own pace and ability levels. Event registration will be $25 and $15 for children under 10 years old, and the cost includes an event T-shirt. All proceeds will support STARability’s programs. For more information, visit ;or call (239) 549-9007.
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