Parekh joins Physicians’ Primary Care in Cape

Physicians’ Primary Care has announced that Priya Parekh, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, has joined the award-winning family division at its Cape Family Medicine location.

Parekh’s experience covers a wide range of pediatric and family healthcare at medical practices in Indiana and Southwest Florida, including the Florida Department of Health-Charlotte County. She earned a master of science degree in nursing with a family nurse practitioner specialty track from Kaiser University in 2019. Prior to that, Parekh received bachelors’ degrees in nursing from Marian University in 2016 and in anthropology and biology from Queens College in New York in 2010.

In addition, Parekh holds several certifications and licenses critical to effective patient care, including designations as Family Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. She has successfully competed Basic Life and Pediatric Advanced Life Support and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.

Parekh is seeing patients now at Cape Family Medicine, 1255 Viscaya Parkway in Cape Coral. For more information or to book an appointment, visit ppcswfl.com or call (239) 574-1988.

Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many long practicing local physicians. Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Offices are located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and San Carlos Park. For more information, visit ppcswfl.com.

FSW providing free dental services at Give Kids a Smile Day

The Dental Hygiene program at Florida SouthWestern State College will host its annual Give Kids A Smile Day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 23, and Friday, March 24, in Building A on the FSW Lee Campus, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers.

Children ages 3 to 17 will receive free dental services on a first-come first-served basis. Services that will be offered at no charge include dental cleanings, X-rays, dental sealants and a dental examination. Health educational activities, wellness assessments and child safety education will also be provided.

FSW’s 2022 Give Kids A Smile Day event provided approximately $26,000 in free dental services to 85 children in the Southwest Florida community.

For more information about Give Kids a Smile Day, call the FSW Dental Hygiene Clinic at (239) 985-8334.

Florida SouthWestern State College serves nearly 22,000 students globally, offering a variety of academic programs with two- and four-year degrees and professional certifications. Study and travel abroad opportunities are available for students through FSW’s Center for International Education. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Harry Chapin Food Bank receives $25,000 grant from Bank of America

Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida, recently announced it has received a $25,000 grant from Bank of America as part of the bank’s nearly $19 million donation to hunger relief organizations nationwide from its employee booster campaign. These funds will support the food bank’s overall food distribution operation to effectively and efficiently carry out its mission of providing food to people in need.

Bank of America has a longstanding commitment to address hunger relief and strengthen local communities. Through its second employee booster campaign, the bank donated $50 for each employee who registered a new coronavirus vaccine, coronavirus booster, or flu shot to further address hunger relief in local communities it serves.

For less than $1, Harry Chapin Food Bank can provide two meals to families who are hungry. Bank of America’s donation will provide 55,550 meals to individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida.

As part of the bank’s broader commitment to responsible growth as it works to improve the financial lives of individuals, families, and entire communities, Bank of America also granted a total of $578,500 to 25 Southwest Florida nonprofits in 2022.

Harry Chapin Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, rescues food that would otherwise goes to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors through a series of food distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month throughout Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, and Lee counties.

Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed $61.5 million worth of food in fiscal year 2022. Through its food distribution programs, the food bank supplied 34.7 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 12 million pounds of fresh produce.

Harry Chapin Food Bank is also a United Way partner agency. For more information or to make a gift, call 239.334.7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

Lee Health’s new robotic platform detects lung cancer quicker than traditional methods

Lee Heath has added the Intuitive ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform to its program. The robotic platform enables physicians to perform minimally-invasive lung biopsies on patients to help detect cancer sooner.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and early detection is key in improving someone’s chances of survival.

The ION has an ultrathin, ultramaneuverable catheter that allows physicians to reach small lesions of the lung. The ION also offers more range of motion and stability that allows the physician to aim the catheter at small targets, even if they’re located outside the airway.

The lung biopsy through the ION is performed by a physician who plans and navigates their path to the nodule. As the guided catheter approaches the nodule, the physician can confirm the lesion’s location with intra-procedure x-ray. Then, the physician secures the catheter in place to perform the biopsy.

Because of this technology, the ION can help to diagnose cancer in the lungs much sooner than with a typical trans-thoracic needle biopsy.

To learn more about Lee Health’s robotic surgery program, visit www.leehealth.org.