Brevard's Young Community Leaders
In February, LEAD Brevard, a non-profit organization offering leadership development and training, announced their “4 under 40” awards which recognize service and leadership in up-and-coming community leaders. 2007 winners included Natalie Sellers from Parrish Medical Center; Dawn Hamilton from the Brevard Workforce Development Board; Kendall Moore, of Johnson Law Office; and Jeff Pearson of the Satellite Beach Police Department. The student honor went to Ghisly Echezuria, a senior at Holy Trinity High School in Melbourne.

James Drake Takes the Helm at Brevard Community College
In early March, BCC's board of trustees unanimously accepted Dr. James Drake as the school's next president. Drake, who holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy and English from Ohio Dominican College and a doctorate from Ohio State University, came to the college as interim president in October while the board conducted a national search for a new leader for the college. Former college President Thomas Gamble stepped down after a skin cancer diagnosis, which took his life in November.

MIMA Opens Sleep Disorder Clinic in Palm Bay
A luxury sleep disorder clinic was opened in January by MIMA, a multi-specialty physician's group established in Melbourne in 1971. The center is led by Dr. Prakash Reddy, a lung and respiratory system specialist with board certification in sleep medicine and managed by Larry Bedwell, a registered sleep technologist. Sleep disorders can lead to stroke, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and uncontrolled hypertension. The four-bed clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for 84 different sleep problems and is located at the Par Place Medical Center, 5200 Babcock St. NE, Palm Bay. For more information, call (321) 724-0015.

Our Congratulations to...

• Atlantis Elementary fourth grade teacher Melanie Petty for being selected among eight finalists in February as Brevard County School “Teacher of the Year.” Petty, who teaches both gifted and disadvantaged students, earned the nod along with $1,500, a laptop computer, the use of a car for one year, gift certificates and a trip to a teachers' workshop. Petty's name also will be entered for consideration in the Florida Teacher of the Year award, to be announced in July.

• Good friend Javier Molinares, publisher of El Dia, a Spanish language community newspaper, for his nomination to the “4 under 40” LEAD BREVARD award.

• Harris Family Medical Center in Melbourne for kicking off a new employee wellness program in February, with a 5k Walk and Run led by Howard Lance, Harris Corp. President and CEO.

• Richard and Leigh Hendry for the launch of Radio for Women, an internet radio site devoted to highlighting notable and dynamic women in Brevard County and offering a terrific lineup of women-only programming, including shows on health, business, relationships, spirituality and more. For information, tune in at www.radio4women.us.