Respiratory therapists at the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in south Fort Myers are breathing a sigh of relief thanks to a device that makes their lives and their patients' lives easier.
The $5,900 device, known as a magnetic resonance imaging compatible pediatric ventilator, was recently purchased as a gift for the hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
It was purchased by the Women of the Moose Fort Myers Chapter 1020 after member Colleen Hrzenak heard about the struggle children faced every time they needed a test.
"The ventilator in the room we can't take with us to testing so we have to unhook them, bag them and do it by hand," said Vaughan Dixon, a 20-year veteran respiratory therapist at the hospital and lodge member. "Before, we did it by hand but you really don't know what kind of volume (of air) you are delivering."
The delivery of oxygen by hand can be dangerous to children because too much or too little air could be fatal.
"Kids were suffering for two hours at times when they couldn't take their ventilator with them to get tests done," Hrzenak said. "The priority for us became getting the children what they needed."
The Women of the Moose raised the needed money by hosting fundraiser breakfasts and karaoke nights. They raised $3,000 in the first weekend.
"The lodge itself does work with children with cancer so when we heard about this, we had to do it," Hrzenak said.
Other events were planned as fundraisers but the money was raised in just five weeks.
"This makes it so much easier. Some tests can take a long time and it ties up a therapist for hours," said Dixon adding that the machine has been in operation for a month. "The good part is that the elderly can use it."
The ventilator is used by many children and the elderly because it can be taken into an MRI machine for tests.
"It's not a huge machine but it sure does make their lives a lot more comfortable," Hrzenak said.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ichabod's taking over Dwyer's
Ichabod the troll is about to be set loose in south Fort Myers.
His boss, Rob De Gennaro of Sanibel, will be using Ichabod to spread the word about a new and casual family-style tavern restaurant moving into the Dwyer's building on U.S. 41 in November.
The restaurant will be called Ichabod's Wicked Food & Drink.
"I'm taking the Dwyer's formal pub and turning it into a new concept. A casual menu where you don't need to spend a lot of money to have good food," said Gennaro, who has owned restaurants in Southwest Florida in the past. "It's gonna be a fantastic menu and atmosphere."
The menu will include burgers, salads, soups, Porter House steaks, meatloaf and Irish items to match the restaurant's decor.
Gennaro's inspiration for the menu came from a restaurant he owns in New England. The "Tan Turtle Tavern" is the family tavern where Gennaro first tried the concept of mixing family, casual atmosphere and a good time at the right price.
"He is going to have a pretty extensive menu and we were
impressed," said Jim Dwyer, who is leasing the building to Gennaro. Prior to leasing, the space was a fine dining establishment that succumbed to a slow economy. "He came to us and showed interest in it and he has a good background of 20 years in the business."
Before the Ichabod concept was born, Dwyer was already working with Gennaro on another project under construction on Summerlin near Health Park. Gennaro is building a cottage-style restaurant in the plaza.
"It's going to be an offshoot of the menu at the Tan Turtle in New England. It's going to look like a Bahama Breeze, sort of," said Gennaro about the restaurant that will open in March of next year.
But Gennaro's focus now is on Ichabod's interior, food and ambiance. He has plans to change the interior decor slightly, paint the outside and get a new sign.
"It's a great addition to the neighborhood because it's not a big corporate business. It's a local guy," said Marc A. Crowley, of Crowley Realty, LLC. He was the broker that handled the leasing of the property. "It's pretty exciting ... it's going to be closer to what Dwyer's was before the fine dining."
And in keeping with the Dwyer family tradition of Irish decor and feel, Gennaro choose a troll as a mascot. The troll was inspired by the dolls of the early '90's that featured brightly colored hair and distinct faces.
"People can come in here, bring a friend, meet a friend and make a friend. That is our hope," said Gennaro, adding that entertainment is also in the works for the eatery. "We are trying to open on Election Day if we can because people will have something to celebrate ... whatever that may be."
His boss, Rob De Gennaro of Sanibel, will be using Ichabod to spread the word about a new and casual family-style tavern restaurant moving into the Dwyer's building on U.S. 41 in November.
The restaurant will be called Ichabod's Wicked Food & Drink.
"I'm taking the Dwyer's formal pub and turning it into a new concept. A casual menu where you don't need to spend a lot of money to have good food," said Gennaro, who has owned restaurants in Southwest Florida in the past. "It's gonna be a fantastic menu and atmosphere."
The menu will include burgers, salads, soups, Porter House steaks, meatloaf and Irish items to match the restaurant's decor.
Gennaro's inspiration for the menu came from a restaurant he owns in New England. The "Tan Turtle Tavern" is the family tavern where Gennaro first tried the concept of mixing family, casual atmosphere and a good time at the right price.
"He is going to have a pretty extensive menu and we were
impressed," said Jim Dwyer, who is leasing the building to Gennaro. Prior to leasing, the space was a fine dining establishment that succumbed to a slow economy. "He came to us and showed interest in it and he has a good background of 20 years in the business."
Before the Ichabod concept was born, Dwyer was already working with Gennaro on another project under construction on Summerlin near Health Park. Gennaro is building a cottage-style restaurant in the plaza.
"It's going to be an offshoot of the menu at the Tan Turtle in New England. It's going to look like a Bahama Breeze, sort of," said Gennaro about the restaurant that will open in March of next year.
But Gennaro's focus now is on Ichabod's interior, food and ambiance. He has plans to change the interior decor slightly, paint the outside and get a new sign.
"It's a great addition to the neighborhood because it's not a big corporate business. It's a local guy," said Marc A. Crowley, of Crowley Realty, LLC. He was the broker that handled the leasing of the property. "It's pretty exciting ... it's going to be closer to what Dwyer's was before the fine dining."
And in keeping with the Dwyer family tradition of Irish decor and feel, Gennaro choose a troll as a mascot. The troll was inspired by the dolls of the early '90's that featured brightly colored hair and distinct faces.
"People can come in here, bring a friend, meet a friend and make a friend. That is our hope," said Gennaro, adding that entertainment is also in the works for the eatery. "We are trying to open on Election Day if we can because people will have something to celebrate ... whatever that may be."
Pet owners have two shelter options available
Written for the 2008 News-Press Hurricane Guide
Pet owners forced to evacuate during the hurricane season won't be worrying as much about their pets this time around.
Two animal-friendly shelters are available for residents in south Fort Myers and east Lee. And, the American Red Cross of Lee County and local animal clinics are working to get the word out about what to do with your pets in an emergency.
"Two new shelters are being offered now because they have found that because of hurricane Katrina, a lot of people didn't want to evacuate because of their pets," said Kim Pontif, the hospital manager at the Coral Veterinary Clinic in south Fort Myers.
Her clinic is telling owners to get their pets prepared early by getting the proper vaccines and having their pets microchipped.
"We have a packet we dispense for our owners during the season to let them know what they need," Pontif said. "Most places require reservations ahead of time and the pet owner has to set that up."
Heidi Ruster of the American Red Cross chapter in Lee County said pet owners must prepare and do it early.
"The best bet is to get a vet outside the storm zone area especially since the animal shelters will be just for those mandatorily evacuated," Ruster said. "Otherwise, they can leave pets with a family member and try to make those decisions beforehand."
The two shelters will be set up at South Fort Myers High and East Lee County High. Each shelter will be split into two sides. One for humans and the other for animals.
"There are more options than there used to be but prepare, prepare, prepare and do it early," Ruster said.
Pet owners forced to evacuate during the hurricane season won't be worrying as much about their pets this time around.
Two animal-friendly shelters are available for residents in south Fort Myers and east Lee. And, the American Red Cross of Lee County and local animal clinics are working to get the word out about what to do with your pets in an emergency.
"Two new shelters are being offered now because they have found that because of hurricane Katrina, a lot of people didn't want to evacuate because of their pets," said Kim Pontif, the hospital manager at the Coral Veterinary Clinic in south Fort Myers.
Her clinic is telling owners to get their pets prepared early by getting the proper vaccines and having their pets microchipped.
"We have a packet we dispense for our owners during the season to let them know what they need," Pontif said. "Most places require reservations ahead of time and the pet owner has to set that up."
Heidi Ruster of the American Red Cross chapter in Lee County said pet owners must prepare and do it early.
"The best bet is to get a vet outside the storm zone area especially since the animal shelters will be just for those mandatorily evacuated," Ruster said. "Otherwise, they can leave pets with a family member and try to make those decisions beforehand."
The two shelters will be set up at South Fort Myers High and East Lee County High. Each shelter will be split into two sides. One for humans and the other for animals.
"There are more options than there used to be but prepare, prepare, prepare and do it early," Ruster said.
New chief behind wheel at BMW store
BMW of Fort Myers in south Fort Myers has a new general manager, Darryl Shepherd, whose goal is to be the top rated customer service dealership in the United States.
That's a big challenge for Shepherd but he said he is prepared for it, especially because he has a new 52,000-square-foot building with customer amenities that rival most car dealerships.
"My general manager experience has been with high-volume imports and luxury domestics," Shepherd said. "I'm going to keep a positive 'can do' mentality and acknowledging that our customers are our only assets!"
Customers are so important to BMW that in the design of the new building, which opened in late March, amenities were added, including the Bear Rock Cafe, automatic car wash, business center, three TV lounges and free chair massages.
"Our customers are thrilled to share it with us. We have regular customers, especially the ones where each member in the family drive a BMW," said Lily Holley, the administrative assistant at BMW. "Some have stopped by just to have lunch at our on-site cafe."
Business at the BMW dealership has been steady because the building draws so much attention.
"We've seen an increase in our floor traffic ... some challenges we've faced since opening is meeting the customers demands," said Holley, adding that the sales staff has been expanded.
Expansion has always been in the plans for the dealership, which first opened in Fort Myers in the early 1970s, according to shop foreman Steve Faur.
"We wanted to accommodate a long-term growing market," said Chris Tuttle, the new and pre-owned sales director. "In 2004, plans started up for a new store so it would allow us to expand and prosper."
The prosperity of the dealership is what Shepherd hopes continues during his rein.
"I was asked to come to BMW of Fort Myers by Sonic Automotive to continue and increase the store's standard for success," Shepherd said.
That's a big challenge for Shepherd but he said he is prepared for it, especially because he has a new 52,000-square-foot building with customer amenities that rival most car dealerships.
"My general manager experience has been with high-volume imports and luxury domestics," Shepherd said. "I'm going to keep a positive 'can do' mentality and acknowledging that our customers are our only assets!"
Customers are so important to BMW that in the design of the new building, which opened in late March, amenities were added, including the Bear Rock Cafe, automatic car wash, business center, three TV lounges and free chair massages.
"Our customers are thrilled to share it with us. We have regular customers, especially the ones where each member in the family drive a BMW," said Lily Holley, the administrative assistant at BMW. "Some have stopped by just to have lunch at our on-site cafe."
Business at the BMW dealership has been steady because the building draws so much attention.
"We've seen an increase in our floor traffic ... some challenges we've faced since opening is meeting the customers demands," said Holley, adding that the sales staff has been expanded.
Expansion has always been in the plans for the dealership, which first opened in Fort Myers in the early 1970s, according to shop foreman Steve Faur.
"We wanted to accommodate a long-term growing market," said Chris Tuttle, the new and pre-owned sales director. "In 2004, plans started up for a new store so it would allow us to expand and prosper."
The prosperity of the dealership is what Shepherd hopes continues during his rein.
"I was asked to come to BMW of Fort Myers by Sonic Automotive to continue and increase the store's standard for success," Shepherd said.
Accuracy, speed hallmark of court reporters
Michelle Hordinski is a south Fort Myers court reporter who can type 260 words a minute.
Her business partner Maryanne Wagner can type 225 words.
At that speed Hordinski and Wagner are offering area attorney's a short turn-around time for transcripts from court hearings or depositions.
The two court reporters along with Debbie Cail recently opened Merit Court Reporting and business is booming.
"We love court reporting and we love our profession, especially in Fort Myers," said Hordinski, the company's secretary treasurer and court reporter. "That makes our turn around time quick and everything is accurate."
Accuracy is everything in the court reporting business.
"I do my best work when I'm in court. Then when I do my transcripts it doesn't take long because I did the hardest part ahead of time," Hordinski said. "The skill of the court reporter does dictate how quickly we can get it done."
And qualifications at the Merit Court Reporting office are plenty.
Hordinski has been in the business for 19 years and is a registered merit reporter - the highest designation given to a court reporter. Wagner is a registered professional reporter and has 24 years of experience.
"This isn't just any job. We enjoy what we do and have the experience to back it up," said Cali, the company's vice president and office manager. She helps run the logistics to make sure the attorneys get what they need, when they need it. "This (business) has been an opportunity for us to expand on some ideas we already had."
The ideas included opening a shop that offers depositions, hearings, standard six-day transcript delivery and free wireless access.
"We are full service and we offer things that attorneys sometimes need depending on the situation," Wagner said. "We even have six conference rooms that our clients can use if they need to do work while they wait for depositions."
Merit Court Reporting also offers a program called in which a live feed is provided as a witnesses testimony is taken.
"We felt there was need in the south end of town and attorneys like that we have free parking," said Hordinski noting that one of their conference rooms is often requested because of its sports memorabilia. "We love the profession in Fort Myers and we make sure people feel that in our atmosphere."
Her business partner Maryanne Wagner can type 225 words.
At that speed Hordinski and Wagner are offering area attorney's a short turn-around time for transcripts from court hearings or depositions.
The two court reporters along with Debbie Cail recently opened Merit Court Reporting and business is booming.
"We love court reporting and we love our profession, especially in Fort Myers," said Hordinski, the company's secretary treasurer and court reporter. "That makes our turn around time quick and everything is accurate."
Accuracy is everything in the court reporting business.
"I do my best work when I'm in court. Then when I do my transcripts it doesn't take long because I did the hardest part ahead of time," Hordinski said. "The skill of the court reporter does dictate how quickly we can get it done."
And qualifications at the Merit Court Reporting office are plenty.
Hordinski has been in the business for 19 years and is a registered merit reporter - the highest designation given to a court reporter. Wagner is a registered professional reporter and has 24 years of experience.
"This isn't just any job. We enjoy what we do and have the experience to back it up," said Cali, the company's vice president and office manager. She helps run the logistics to make sure the attorneys get what they need, when they need it. "This (business) has been an opportunity for us to expand on some ideas we already had."
The ideas included opening a shop that offers depositions, hearings, standard six-day transcript delivery and free wireless access.
"We are full service and we offer things that attorneys sometimes need depending on the situation," Wagner said. "We even have six conference rooms that our clients can use if they need to do work while they wait for depositions."
Merit Court Reporting also offers a program called in which a live feed is provided as a witnesses testimony is taken.
"We felt there was need in the south end of town and attorneys like that we have free parking," said Hordinski noting that one of their conference rooms is often requested because of its sports memorabilia. "We love the profession in Fort Myers and we make sure people feel that in our atmosphere."
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