Health Department Director Honored
In August, the Florida Medical Association (FMA) honored Heidar Heshmati, M.D., Director of the Brevard County Health Department, with a Certificate of Merit during its annual meeting. The certificate is the highest award - given to those who have rendered exceptional service to the association, the medical profession and the public. This came after Heshmati was presented the Robert D. May, M.D., award by the Florida Public Health Association, an honor given by peers to public healthcare workers who demonstrate significant accomplishments in advancing public health at local or state levels.

Wuesthoff Executive Named to State Health Board
In August, Sharon Williams, Executive Director of Wuesthoff Brevard Homecare, was named to a two-year term as board member of the Florida Board of Directors for associated Home Health Industries of Florida, responsible for organizing state committees and task force groups, developing and reviewing state policies and procedures for the organization and hosting regional meetings for district members.

Administrative Changes Announced at Health First

Jerry Senne (above left), the CEO of Health First Health Plans was appointed as the new President/CEO of Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne.

Chris Kennedy (above middle), the President/CEO of Holmes Regional Medical Center was named the President/CEO for the new Viera hospital.

Lisa Gurri (above right), Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Health, announced her departure from Health First in September to take the lead position as CEO of the Brevard Health Alliance, the county's only federally-qualified health center.

Parrish Medical Center Opens $35 Million Healthcare Center in Port St. John
In June, the Titusville hospital group opened their doors to a 76,000-sq. ft. new healthcare facility that provides diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, rehabilitation services, a sleep disorders lab, physician's offices and conference center on 33 acres - six of them walking trails through a wildlife habitat. An urgent-care center, outpatient surgery center and women's diagnostic services center also are in the works.

Watersong Unveils Sales Office in One Senior Place
In September, Senior Living Communities - a developer of premier retirement communities in the Southeast - unveiled a new sales center for its new 26-acre master-planned campus called Watersong inside One Senior Place in Viera. Guests will enjoy comfortable furnishings and lively displays, all of which offer a glimpse into the 26-acre Viera retirement community which is slated to begin construction sometime in 2007.

Pilates Instructor Receives Unique Certification
In June, Jayne McAllister, owner of Ab Fab Pilates Studio in Indialantic, received the national certification from the Pilates Method Alliance, which sets teaching standards among instructors of the exercise developed by Joseph Pilates more than 70 years ago. McAllister has been offering individual and group instruction on the beachside since 2005 and is accredited through Power Pilates in New York - which required a 600-hour apprenticeship to obtain and ongoing education to maintain.

Our Congratulations to...

• Make-A-Wish Space Coast Chapter's first ever - and wildly popular - fundraising event in September. The Bag Ladyz Brunch, held at the Lansing Island home of Dr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Claudia O'Brien raised more than $18,000 for children with life-threatening illnesses.

• Dr. Kristi Van Sickle - a graduate of Florida Tech's School of Psychology - for accepting a one-year position as Community Health faculty and Executive Director of the Brevard Healthcare Forum, a planning board comprised of physicians, health professionals, administrators and workers sponsored by Florida Tech.

• Bassett Furniture Gallery in Melbourne for hosting a terrific inaugural “Party For A Cure” fundraiser in September that welcomed more than 250 guests and 75 breast cancer survivors, raising almost $15,000 for Wuesthoff Health System Foundation. The money will be used to assist in bringing innovative breast cancer technologies to Brevard County.

• Physician's Weight Loss Centers® for the grand opening of their new Suntree location in September.