Lee Health invites mothers to take part in Global Big Latch On

Southwest Florida mothers are invited to join Lee Health for the Global “Big Latch On” event to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. The annual event is held around the world during World Breastfeeding Week, which started Thursday, Aug. 1, and runs through Wednesday, Aug. 7.

This year, Lee Health’s Global Big Latch On events will take place:

Friday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m., at the Healthy Life Center Cape Coral, 609 S.E. 13th Court

Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m., at the Healthy Life Center – Estero, 23450 Via Coconut Point

The first Big Latch On took place in New Zealand in 2005, and has grown into a global event.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life, then continued breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods up to 2 years of age, or beyond, as mutually desired by the mother and child.

For additional information about the Global Big Latch On effort, please call Cape Coral Hospital at 239-424-3210 or the Healthy Life Center Estero at 239-468-0050.

Associates in Digestive Health adds two doctors

Associates in Digestive Health has announced the expansion of services into the Fort Myers and Cape Coral areas with the addition of Drs. Erin Barth and Christopher Fernandez. They were set to begin treating patients Aug. 1.

The expansion of services also includes the opening of its second medical office and a new surgery center, both located 13051 University Drive across from the Barbara Mann Performing Hall in Fort Myers.

Barth will be seeing new patients in the Fort Myers office. A gastroenterologist, Barth is now available to address more women’s gastro health issues. She comes to Associates in Digestive Health from her most recent appointment at Kaiser Permanente in North California. She was in private practice in Phoenix and served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, practicing at several bases from Texas to Alaska. Barth received her degree from Tulane School of Medicine. She has completed her residency at University of California San Diego Medical Center.

Fernandez will be seeing patients in the Cape Coral office. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and is fluent in Spanish which will offer more health care options to the Hispanic community. He is a graduate of University of Miami and received his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr Fernandez moved to Michigan for his residency at University of Michigan Hospital and completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at the Henry Ford Hospital. He has extensive training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease management with an emphasis on Colon Cancer surveillance in at risk demographics.

The opening of AIDH medical office and the Fort Myers Surgery Center offers a convenient alternative to the Cape Coral location with the same great care the community has come to know from Associates in Digestive Health. The Fort Myers office has three gastroenterologists treating such conditions as Crohns Disease, acid reflux and Irritable Bowel syndrome. The surgery center provides colonoscopies and other procedures.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 239-772-3636.

Pulmonary Consultants helping patients prepare for potential hurricanes

Pulmonary Consultants of Southwest Florida has partnered with Lee County Emergency Management by offering applications to patients for the Special Needs Program – a backup hurricane evacuation plan that assigns individuals to one of three types of shelters.

The three-page application, along with two pages of shelter types and a hurricane evacuation check list, is now available at the front desk of Pulmonary Consultants’ Cape Coral office and its website – FloridaSleepDoctors.com. Patients can either request that Pulmonary Consultants submit the application on their behalf or work directly with Lee County Emergency Management.

Applicants must include their contact, caregiver and pet information, as well as their shelter preference, need for Lee County transportation, recommended care and accompanying medical equipment. Anyone who does not require transportation via Lee County Emergency Management is responsible for the cost of his or her own transportation.

After individuals submit their application to Lee County Emergency Manage-ment, the Department of Health will determine which shelter best aligns with their needs, as well as has the space to accommodate them. The options they offer are Emergency Public Shelter for self-sufficient applicants, Special Care Shelter for individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living and Hospitals for those whose physicians require them to be in a skilled nursing facility. All shelters will only be open for the duration of the emergency.

Applications must be submitted for processing before the five-day forecast cone and should only be considered a backup evacuation plan. Applicants and their caregivers are subject to a background screen. Applicants are encouraged to bring at least a two-week supply of medication in original containers to their assigned shelter and must provide vaccination records, supplies, medications, a collar/leash, and a crate for their cat or dog.

To obtain a Lee County Special Needs Program application, visit Pulmonary Consultants at 1031 SE 9th Place, Unit 2, in Cape Coral any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on the practice’s partnership with Lee County Emergency Management, call (239) 574-2644.

For more on Pulmonary Consultants of Southwest Florida, visit FloridaSleep Doctors.com and on Facebook – @Florida SleepDoctors.