Lee Health celebrates opening of new 52-bed ICU unit at Gulf Coast Medical Center

On Wednesday, Gulf Coast Medical Center staff held a small ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its new 52-bed intensive care unit. Another milestone in the ongoing hospital expansion, the new unit encompasses two floors – a second floor medical and surgical ICU and third floor neuro ICU – to better care for patients with specialized needs.

The new ICU unit opened ahead of schedule and is in preparation for the relocation of Lee Health’s trauma program to Gulf Coast Medical Center later this year.

Both floors are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and feature two negative air pressure rooms, a bariatric lift room, expansive family waiting area, large equipment room, medication room, nourishment center for patients and families and numerous physical therapy substations. Additionally, boom rooms maximize efficiency and minimize clutter to provide easy access to electrical power, data services and more.

High tech electronic computer boards provide staff members with up to the minute statuses on patient conditions and each floor is staffed with its own pharmacist and pharmacy station. All rooms feature floor to ceiling windows and provide an abundance of natural light.

Gulf Coast Medical Center has recently undergone a series of transformations – part of a $347-million dollar expansion project – with the final phase set to complete later this year. Gulf Coast Medical Center is a certified comprehensive stroke center.

The hospital was recently awarded the highest national marks for safe care by The Leapfrog Group. Along with Lee Health’s three other adult acute care hospitals, Gulf Coast Medical Center earned an “A” grade for the fourth straight report card.

For more information, visit LeeHealth.org.

RMHC elects 2021 board officers 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida has elected board officers for 2021: President Susan H. Ryckman, MSN, CPNP; Vice Presidents Deana Homsi, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and Robert Atkinson, Retail Specialist (retired), Lowe’s Inc.; Treasurer Richard DeStefano, Compass Professional Accounting Solutions; Secretary Paul Drucker Commercial Banker/AVP Fifth Third Bank;    Parliamentarian Carey Randall, Associate Publisher/CFO Smithsonian (retired); Past President Lee Bellamy, General Manager, Shangri-La Springs. 

Bellamy presented the 2020 President’s Award to Homsi for her exceptional committee participation over the years and for providing support to the chapter on behalf of the charities’ founding mission partner, McDonald’s.    

Ryckman received The President’s Distinguished Service Award in appreciation of her continuing guidance and contributions in advancing the mission of RMHC. 

Named to the RMHC the Board of Directors are Gabrielle O’Boyle, Director of Marketing, Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida; Daisy Ojeda, AVP Clinical Operations Dental, Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida; and Emad Salman, MD, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.    

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida is to create, find and support programs that directly impact the health and well-being of children and their families in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties. RMHC of SWFL supports the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located on the second floor of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. 

For more information, visit www.rmhcswfl.org 

Lee Health holding numerous blood drives for all blood types

Lee Health is seeking blood donations to help replenish supply levels. As home to the region’s only trauma center, it is vital that the health system’s blood supply remains at healthy levels in order to quickly care for patients needing an urgent transfusion. Blood and blood products are not only used in the trauma center, but also to treat cancer patients, premature babies, anemia and a variety of other conditions. 

Lee Health’s blood centers are the sole supplier of all blood products for the entire health system. About 800 units of blood are needed per week, and the blood centers rely on life-saving donations from the community to maintain inventory levels.

The Lee Health Blood Mobile will be at numerous locations throughout Southwest Florida in February.

* 2/1/21 – Lee Health Cardiology, 13340 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, 2-5 p.m.

* 2/2/21 – Royal Shell Real Estate, 1870 Clayton Court, Fort Myers, 1-2 p.m.

* 2/4/21 – SWFL Public Service Academy, 4312 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* 2/6/21 – St. Matthews House, 13140 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

* 2/7/21 – First Christian Church of Cape Coral, 2620 Country Club Blvd., Cape Coral, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* 2/8/21 – Lee Health Coconut Point, 23450 Via Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

* 2/9/21 – The Outpatient Center at Surfside, 2441 Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* 2/11/21 – Iona/College Pt. Fire Station #74, 6061 S. Pointe Blvd., Fort Myers, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

* 2/12/21 – Sanibel Straits, 16100 Myriad Lane, Fort Myers, 1-4 p.m.

* 2/14/21 – First Christian Church of Fort Myers, 2061 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* 2/15/21 – Santa Barbara Professional Building, 224 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 8-11 a.m.

* 2/16/21 – Estero Chamber, 21115 Design Parc Lane, Estero, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

* 2/17/21 – Neogenomics Laboratories, 2701 Commonwealth Drive, Fort Myers, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

* 2/18/21 – Lee Co. VA Clinic, 2489 Diplomat Parkway, E., Cape Coral, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

* 2/18/21 – Fifth Third Bank, 2724 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, 3-5 p.m.

* 2/20/21 – High Point Place, 2104 West First St., Fort Myers, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

* 2/21/21 – Gulf Coast Church of Christ, 9550 Ben Pratt, Fort Myers, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

* 2/22/21 – Early Childhood Learning, 3650 Michigan Ave., #4, Fort Myers, 1-4 p.m.

* 2/22/21 – 21st Century Oncology, 2234 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

* 2/22/21 – Sievert Clinic, 3880 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

* 2/22/21 – Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, 2400 First St., Suite 300, Fort Myers, 2-5 p.m.

* 2/22/21 – Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

* 2/25/21 – Bailey’s General Store, 2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

All blood donated at Lee Health stays within the health system to care for patients in Southwest Florida. If unable to attend one of the upcoming blood drives, donations can also be made at one of Lee Health’s blood centers to help save lives.

For more information on how and where to donate, please visit Lee Health Blood Centers.