Health News
Diabetes Prevention Program Jan. 15
Have you been told that you have Prediabetes? Would you like to learn about a variety of tools that have been proven to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes?
Lee Health has announced a free program designed to help you make modest lifestyle changes and cut your risk of Type 2 Diabetes by more than half. This year-long program with weekly meetings for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months, is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Information presented in the workshop can help you become empowered to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Learn about the benefits of physical activity; manage symptoms of stress, make smarter decisions related to healthy eating, and tips to stay motivated. Participants will receive a participant guide to use as an ongoing reference tool once the classes are completed.
The next program will be held on Wednesdays, beginning on Jan. 15, from 5-6 p.m., at New Brittany Boulevard in Fort Myers. Registration is required.
Seating is limited and registration is required. Please call 239-424-3127 for more information.
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health.
Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
Lee Health Foundation honors Dr. Steve Machiz with Humanitarian Award at Evening of Gratitude event
Lee Health Foundation has awarded the Frank Haskell Humanitarian Award to Dr. Steve Machiz for his incredible leadership in establishing SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., a nonprofit most known for its annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest.
Machiz established the nonprofit in 2008, and one year later, SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. pledged $10 million to build a new children’s hospital in Southwest Florida. By 2012, they were ranked by Wine Spectator as the third most successful wine festival in the country. Since its inception, it has generously donated more than $19 million to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, making it the second largest donor behind the hospital’s namesake, Tom Golisano.
Prior to Machiz’ acceptance at the event, a new pledge of $3 million to create SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital was announced, which will make SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. the largest donor to Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The Frank Haskell Humanitarian Award recognizes outstanding leadership in the advancement of quality health care for the citizens of Southwest Florida. The award is named in honor of Frank Haskell, co-founder, with his late wife Betty, of Barbara’s Friends Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund, which was named in memory of their daughter Barbara after cancer claimed her life when she was far too young. For more than 25 years, Frank has worked tirelessly to help local children win their battles with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders. At age 90 he is not done yet, raising more than $20 million to date and counting. Previous recipients of the award have included Al Kinkle, Joe Catti, Jim Nathan and Amanda Cross.
The award was presented at Lee Health Foundation’s annual Evening of Gratitude, held Nov. 20 at The Forest Country Club. The formal event thanked more than 350 donors and supporters in attendance for their generosity and unwavering commitment to enhancing health care services within the Lee Health network.
For more about health care advocacy in Southwest Florida and philanthropic opportunities with Lee Health, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org.
Florida Skin Center to provide free skin checks at Cape Coral health fair
Florida Skin Center has announced its participation in various health fairs throughout the coming year. The first will be held Wednesday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. until noon, at the Healthy Life Center in Cape Coral, 609 S.E. 13th Court.
There, physician assistant Demi Soulet who practices predominantly in Florida Skin Center’s Fort Myers office – will conduct full-body skin checks to address and treat common skin conditions and diseases. All skin checks will be completed in private rooms using a dermascope, a microscope-like tool for inspecting cancerous characteristics in lesions.
These free skin checks on Jan. 8 are available exclusively to members of the Healthy Life Center – a health club that offers a fitness facility, group fitness classes, events and programming – under the Lee Health brand.
An appointment for these skin checks are required prior to the event date. Call the Healthy Life Center at (239) 424-3220. Otherwise, for more information regarding exam inclusions, call Florida Skin Center at (239) 561-3376. Online at FloridaSkinCenter.com.
If anyone is unable to attend this event, Florida Skin Center will be back at the Healthy Life Center on March 12, May 14, July 9 and Sept. 10. Details to follow.
Florida Skin Center opened its doors in 2001. Currently with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda, Florida Skin Center maintains a focus on excellence in patient care, with same-day, early-morning and walk-in appointments readily available. Call (239) 561-3376. Online at FloridaSkinCenter.com.
HealthPark Care & Rehabilitation Center, Lee Memorial Skilled Nursing Unit earn ‘Best Nursing Home’ status
HealthPark Care & Rehabilitation Center has again been listed as a 2019-2020 Best Nursing Home by U.S. News & World Report, earning two top badges for quality care. The Skilled Nursing Unit at Lee Memorial Hospital also earned top marks for short-term care.
New this year, U.S. News is assigning most facilities two ratings one for “short-stay rehab” and a new “long-term care” rating. This new methodology is intended to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with specific information about the quality of care provided by nursing homes. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing ER visits and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics. Out of 13,685 nursing homes that received a long-term care rating, 1,139 were designated as High-Performing, according to U.S. News.
HealthPark Care & Rehabilitation Center is one of only two facilities in Lee County that earned a “Best Nursing Home” designation for both long- and short-term care.
Analyzing data provided by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. News provides each facility a rating ranging from 1-5, with five being the highest. This rating evaluates a broad range of resident conditions and care at each nursing home, including both shorter-term rehabilitation and long-term chronic care.
HealthPark Care & Rehabilitation Center is a skilled nursing facility with 112 beds located adjacent to HealthPark Medical Center, where focused medical care is combined with personalized support services to help patients achieve their optimal health and independence.
The SNU is an 18-bed unit within Lee Memorial Hospital that opened in 2017. Both facilities have also earned five-star ratings from CMS for top-quality care.
Additional information about each nursing home rated and about the methodology used in the ratings is available online at health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.