Learn about the COVID-19 vaccine at virtual online event

The Windsor of Cape Coral is promoting a Legend Senior Living virtual online event about the COVID-19 vaccine, Thursday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m.

Allecia Harley, an epidemiologist, will conduct the program and will “cover the basics — and not so basics” of the COVID-19 vaccine. Topics include how the vaccine was developed so quickly, how the vaccine actually works when it’s in your body, how to register for a vaccine, what side effects to expect or look for and what happens after the first and second vaccine, including what precautions yo u still need to take.

Harley, MPH, is the founder and CEO of the Prevention Advisory Group.

To register for the complimentary event, visit https://info.legendseniorliving.com/virtual-event-national-learn-about-the-covid-19-vaccine?utm_campaign=Virtual%20Event%20National&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=106397737&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8TcjwNu4PTD8JRAGxDDJPL9giyHWpzjyXQWXvInLIUKbu7At2Q57ZNcg3y-BF_T4n0AIaURjyUsOKOeWaVPrab1HPrt7O2YTgryPpkzZq5AGllA9A&utm_content=106397737&utm_source=hs_email

For more information, call 316-616-6288.

The Windsor of Cape Coral, an assisted living and memory care facility, is located at 831 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.

Beckwith elected to third term on National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization board

Hope Healthcare President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith has been elected to an additional three-year term on the 2021 National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization board of directors.

Beckwith’s commitment to NHPCO since 1984 has included serving as chair, along with multiple appointments to the board’s executive committee and terms of service as a national director. She has also served on several task forces and policy committees within the organization.

With more than 40 years of hospice and health care experience, Beckwith’s leadership on local, state and national levels is widely recognized. Since becoming president of Hope Healthcare in 1991, she has led the organization through decades of growth to meet community needs with a broad spectrum of innovative programs and services including Hope Hospice and Hope Palliative Care, Hope PACE, Hope Connections, Hope Parkinson Program, and Hope Kids Care.

Hope Healthcare is a not-for-profit health care organization dedicated to providing care and comfort to every individual and their loved ones as they fulfill life’s journey. For more information, call 239-482-4673 or visit www.HopeHCS.org.

Positive Self-Management Program available from Lee Health

Lee Health’s Lee Health Solutions is offering a Positive Self-Management Education program for individuals with HIV — a research based program originally developed at Stanford University Patient Education Research Center.

The program is designed for people 18 years of age or older with HIV to help them learn ways to better manage their chronic condition and the related symptoms. 

The virtual workshop is 2 hours once a week for 6 weeks and it is free. The virtual workshops is being offered on Wednesdays, from 1-3 p.m.

For more information or to register, please call 239-343-9264.

Cannamela named vice president of clinical services at Cypress Living

Louisa L. Cannamela, former director of nursing for Home Care by Cypress at Home, has been promoted to vice president of clinical services for Cypress Living. Cannamela, who joined the Cypress family in September 2019, will focus on strengthening the clinical services across the organization and its affiliates.

As vice president of clinical services, she will be developing clinical policies, procedures, and processes to ensure high quality outcomes for the residents and clients throughout the Cypress family. Among her other responsibilities will be that of creating a more proactive approach to risk and compliance measures while building and maintaining strong educational and competency programs for all clinical team members.

Cannamela is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with multiple years of experience in both sub-acute, acute and outpatient care of older adults within skilled nursing facilities, primary care offices and client homes. Cannamela, who is bilingual (English and Spanish), graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing from Florida Gulf Coast University and then received her master of science in nursing with a certification in adult and geriatric primary care from South University.

Since joining the Cypress Living organization, Cannamela managed a large team of care providers for the growing Home Care by Cypress at Home service line while also maintaining the company’s Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) accreditation.

Hope PACE’s mobile clinic ‘drives’ better outcomes for Southwest Florida seniors

Hope PACE, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, has expanded its transportation fleet to include Hope Mobile Clinics. Following rigorous safety precautions, program participants still visit the Hope PACE Centers for necessary visits and interventions, while the new vehicles provide safe, convenient and accessible options for ancillary services.

The Hope Mobile Clinics are able to deliver in-home care, facilitate virtual physician visits, provide preventative screenings, and dispense vaccinations. At present, services are only available to registered program participants.

Hope PACE is a comprehensive, coordinated health care program designed to meet the social, emotional and practical challenges of older adults. Participants receive medical and therapeutic care, medications, social activities and meals. With Hope PACE Centers located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte, the program also provides transportation to appointments with specialists and other vital services. Its mission is to keep participants healthy, comfortable, and living independently in the place they call home.

To be eligible for Hope PACE, which is provided at no charge to seniors with dual Medicare and Medicaid coverage, applicants must be at least 55 years old and live in Lee, Collier or Charlotte counties. They must also have health issues placing them at risk for nursing home care to qualify. To learn more about eligibility guidelines or program details, visit www.HopePACE.org or call 239-985-6400.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida recognized for efforts to improve health of patients

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida is the recipient of three national awards from the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association in recognition of its commitment to improving the health of its patients in cholesterol management, controlling blood pressure and management of Type II Diabetes.

Gold Awards were presented in the following areas:

n Blood pressure control – The Gold Award recognizes practices that have 70 percent or more of their adult patient population with high blood pressure controlled. Physicians’ Primary Care reports that 85 percent of its adult patients have their blood pressure under control. The Gold Award recognition is part of the 2020 Target: BP Recognition Program, which is a national collaboration between the AHA and the AMA aimed at reducing the number of Americans who suffer from heart attacks and strokes each year.

n Cholesterol control – The Gold Award recognizes practices that have 70 percent or more of their adult at-risk patient population appropriately managed with statin therapy. Physicians’ Primary Care reports that 74 percent of their at-risk adult population has their cholesterol managed with statin therapy.

n Type II Diabetes management – The Gold Award recognizes practices that have 75 percent or more of their patient population maintain control of their diabetes with diet, exercise and medication management. Physicians’ Primary Care met this standard.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida. Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located throughout Lee County. For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Florida Skin Center, founder named top national skin cancer screener

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has named Florida Skin Center Founder and Medical Director Aurora Badia, M.D., D.O., as the top screener, and the practice as top practice for performing the most free skin cancer screenings in the nation.

This is the second consecutive year that ASDS has recognized Florida Skin Center for these achievements in its Choose Skin Health program.

ASDS operates this year-round program in partnership with Neutrogena promoting free skin cancer screenings to the public. Florida Skin Center performed 2,355 free skin checks in 2019-2020. This was an increase of 500 over the previous year despite the limitations and restrictions from the COVID -19 pandemic placed on non-essential services and group gatherings. The free skin checks, provided by Florida Skin Center in Southwest Florida, represent two-thirds of the total 3,500 annual free screenings provided by all ASDS participating members nationwide this year.

Florida Skin Center offers free annual full-body skin care checks year-round to new and established patients, who are referred to as guests of the practice. This complimentary head-to-toe skin examination is offered once a year regardless of insurance, with a scheduled appointment. Guests can save between $15 and $91, and are introduced to a skin regimen tailored to their individual needs. Appointments can be made at any of the four Southwest Florida locations.

Florida Skin Center has offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Punta Gorda.  All locations offer readily available same-week and early-morning appointments. Ft. Myers and Cape Coral offices open on select Saturdays. Appointment scheduling and text messaging available online at FloridaSkinCenter.com or call 239-561-3376. Follow Florida Skin Center on Facebook and Instagram.

Austin promoted to associate executive director for Cypress at Home

Christina K. Austin has been promoted to the position of associate executive director of the home and community-based service company, Cypress at Home.

Austin, who will be responsible for operations of the company’s care management and home care service lines, moves into her executive position after serving for the past year as manager of care management by Cypress at Home.

As manager of care management for Cypress at Home, she oversaw a team of Aging Life Care Professionals who act as a guide and advocate for clients who need some additional support, care coordination and health care navigation.

Austin is a nationally certified aging life care manager and licensed social worker with over 20 years of experience in serving older adults. She graduated with a bachelor of science in social work from Winona State University and then received her master of arts in international business from St. Mary’s University.

Cypress at Home is a not-for-profit organization supported by Cypress Living, tasked with changing the way care is coordinated and provided for older adults living in their homes. Cypress at Home offers multiple service options to its clients including Care Management, Home Care, Medical Care and Home Health.

Individuals interested in utilizing the services of Cypress at Home should call 239-349-3300 or visit www.cypressathome.org