Free autism screening April 19

Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 5 years of age.

The next screening will be held on April 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pediatric Specialist Office, 15901 Bass Road, Suite 102, Fort Myers.

The ASD screening is conducted by the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The screenings are administered by an advanced practice registered nurse, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

To schedule a screening, please call 239-343-6838.

Ground broken on new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Lee County

Lee Health and Encompass Health recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the joint venture rehabilitation hospital in the Florida area. The 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital will be located at 6150 Medical Park Loop and is expected to begin serving patients in summer 2025.

The hospital will provide essential rehabilitative services that help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions regain function and independence. Patients will receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy for five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care.

Hospital amenities will include 60 private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an “activities of daily living” suite to support improved day-to-day independence, therapy courtyard, dining room, in-house pharmacy and an area to enjoy time with family and friends. An interdisciplinary team of specialized nurses, therapists and physicians will provide physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life.

For more, visit encompasshealth.com/fortmyersrehab.

Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference set for April 4 in Fort Myers

Breast health experts from across Southwest Florida are convening for an education forum exploring breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.

The Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference on Thursday, April 4, will feature local breast cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists and researchers discussing the latest innovations in technology that are redefining cancer care. Conversations will focus on steps to reduce risk factors, availability of screenings, local trends and improving access to health care. Presenters also will explore treatment options available in Southwest Florida, which include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery and proton therapy, which will be available in 2025 after Southwest Florida Proton opens in Estero.

Presenters for the free Breast Health Conference include:

• Dr. Graciela Garton, radiation oncologist with Advocate Radiation Oncology

• Dr. Adam Riker, surgical oncologist with Precision Healthcare Specialists

• Dr. Susanna Gaikazian, medical oncologist and hematologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

• Liz Bachoo-Garib, nurse navigator with Lee Health Cancer Institute

• Neftali Feliciano, chief executive officer with Cancer Alliance Network

The Southwest Florida Breast Health Conference begins at 11:30 a.m. on April 4 at Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Gulf Coast, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive near Alico Road and I-75 in Fort Myers. Lunch will be provided. The event is free, but registration is required by calling Janet Darnell at Partners for Breast Cancer Care at 239-454-8540 or emailing JanetDarnellpfbcc@yahoo.com.