SCHEA to hold blood drive May 14

SCHEA will host a Lee Health blood drive Saturday, May 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bus will be parked in Club Square, behind the South Cape Hub and BackStreets on Southeast 47th Terrace.

Type O+ remains critically low, and supply levels for all other blood types are also below normal. Please consider making a donation to help the local community.

Donors will receive a punch card with complimentary offers from local businesses including BackStreets Sports Bar, Coral Reef Car Wash, Greek Spot, Karma and Coconuts Unique Gift Art & Gift Boutique, Maria’s Pizzeria, Paesano’s Italian Kitchen, Pawty Depot, Penny’s Coffee Bar, Sidecar Treats, Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill, Tiki Hut, and Zak’s Jewelry.

All blood donated will stay local to Lee County, and appointments are available to eliminate wait times. Please call Slade at 239-900-4028 to secure a time slot.

Friends of Hope annual luncheon benefits Hope Hospice

More than 150 Hope Hospice supporters recently gathered at the annual Friends of Hope Luncheon at Bonita Bay Country Club. The sold-out event featured a fun afternoon of boutique shopping while raising over $50,000 to benefit Hope Hospice and Rainbow Trails Camp.

The luncheon was hosted by Etta Smith and Donna Roberts with honorary chair Signe Wynne. Sponsors of the event included Najla and Louis Lataif, John R. Wood/Sue and Roderick Price, and Mercedes-Benz of Bonita Springs.

The spring luncheon supports Hope Hospice and the Rainbow Trails Camp, an annual bereavement camp for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Led by Hope’s counselors, art and music therapists, and community volunteers, the camp offers activities to support the grieving process along with recreation, crafts and singing.

“People of all ages experience loss and express grief in different ways,” said Samira K. Beckwith, Hope Healthcare president and CEO. “We created the Rainbow Trails Camp 30 years ago because we wanted to have a special place for children to interact with others who understand their loss and can help provide comfort, friendship and joy.”

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit healthcare organization, Hope Healthcare is dedicated to providing care and comfort for people in life’s closing chapter. A compassionate team of staff and volunteers offers practical, spiritual and emotional support for the entire family.

For more information about Hope Healthcare, including programs such as Hope Hospice and Hope Kids Care, visit HopeHCS.org.

Lee Health recruits Roh for position of chief physician executive of oncology services

With more than 35 years of medical leadership experience in cancer care, Dr. Mark Roh was recruited to serve as Lee Health’s new chief physician executive of oncology services.

In his new role, Roh will be responsible for providing direction and support to the medical staff while working collaboratively with the operations team and other leaders who provide cancer care. He will work in dyad partnership with the vice president of oncology services, Debra Wilson. Alongside Wilson, he will be jointly responsible for Regional Cancer Center operations and developing and executing the oncology services strategic plan.

Before joining Lee Health, Roh most recently served as president of Orlando Health University of Florida Health Cancer Center. As president, he orchestrated strategic growth initiatives and supervised a 675-person team, including 60 oncologists.

Roh has also served in leadership roles at MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

“When we began the search for this position, we knew we needed someone with vast clinical, operational and leadership experience, and Dr. Roh was the perfect choice,” said Dr. Scott Nygaard, chief operating officer of Lee Health. “I have no doubt he will make a huge impact in this community by continuing our efforts to keep cancer care close to home.”

Roh earned his medical degree at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio, and his bachelor of arts in chemistry from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.

He began his role with Lee Health on April 4.

About Lee Health

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. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.

Hope Healthcare offers new support groups

Hope Healthcare is offering three new support groups for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Participants will have an opportunity to express their emotions, connect with others, and find hope in their journey through grief. All groups are open to the community at no cost, thanks to generous community support. Advance registration is required.

The Walk & Talk Grief Support Group allows participants to enjoy the healing benefits of nature and meet new people while discovering insights into bereavement. The group will walk at a casual pace for about 1.5 miles through the HealthPark campus on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 8:30-9:30 a.m., weather permitting.

To register, contact Mary.Grimmer@HopeHCS.org or call 239-489-9184.

The Loss of a Sibling Support Group will help connect adults who have lost a beloved brother or sister. Participants will meet virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Contact David.Pezzullo@HopeHCS.org or call 239-284-9926.

The Grief Movement Support Group is a chair-based practice with a focus on releasing grief through movement, using a combination of motion, breath and sound. This opportunity is appropriate for people of all mobility levels. The group will meet virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Mindy.Hall@HopeHCS.org or call 239-656-3241.

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit organization, Hope Healthcare is able to help people of all ages coping with grief and loss. Professional counselors lead groups including Bereaved Mothers, Men’s Grief Toolkit, Young Widows and Widowers, Healing Survivors of Suicide, Loss after COVID-19 and other special topics. Hope also offers urgent crisis support for local schools and businesses as well as an LGBT+ group, counseling in Spanish and age-appropriate help for children and teens. Visit HopeHCS.org/counseling for more information.