Lee Memorial Foundation announces allocations
Members disperse nearly $1.1 Million in funding for key projects
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation announced over $1,096,000 in funding was approved and allocated by the LMHS Foundation Board as of the close of 2007. The funds will help provide excellence in medical care, treatment and technology to the Southwest Florida community.

Funding initiatives were extremely diverse and included financial allocations for children's health and wellness, upgraded technology, facilities enhancement and medical education programs. All funds raised, from a variety of sources, including grants, private donations, wills and bequests, special events and corporate partnerships are initially held by The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation and are then dispersed through the approvals of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation Board.

Those areas receiving funding included:

• The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at HealthPark received $125,364 for six infant incubators and $167,889 toward the purchase of a new NICU ambulance;

• Cape Coral Hospital received $25,000 in construction costs for its Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, $298,886 to reopen its Special Care Nursery and $220,762 for equipment needed to open an additional 15 pediatric beds;

• The Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Playground received $41,910 for its children's play area expansion;

• The Cath Lab at HealthPark was allocated $74,612 to purchase new Digital Subtraction Software;

• The Parish Nurse Program received $25,000 to keep its community outreach program in place;

• The Yawkey Pediatric Counseling Center received $61,111 in funding;

• Southwest Regional Medical Center received $48,778 in funding for purchase of a SonoSite Micromaxx Ultrasound System;

• The 3rd Annual Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice Conference received $7,000 for continuation of its medical education program.

"The Board is proud of the extensive and diverse allocations made to Lee Memorial Health System in 2007," said Lee Memorial Health System Foundation Chairperson Elaine Hawkins." "So many areas of great need were assisted through Foundation funds. With a continued challenging economy, we look forward to finding ways to make the greatest impact on the health system in 2008 by funding additional programs and equipment that will ensure medical excellence for members of the Southwest Florida community."

Lee Memorial Health System Foundation raises money on behalf of Lee Memorial Health System. The foundation provides financial support for many service areas including The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, Lee Cancer Care, Lee Cardiac Care, Older Adult Services, Music Therapy, Nursing Research and Pediatric Oncology. Over the past two years, the foundation has distributed $8,936,918 to Lee Memorial Health System to support its lifesaving mission. Please visit www.leememorial.org/foundation or call (239) 985-3550 for more information about the role of philanthropy at Lee Memorial Health System.

Caregiver training classes set

If you are the full-time caregiver for a loved one, you are invited to attend free caregiver training and education classes in Lee County in March.

The CARE Program, Caregiver Assistance and Regional Education is a collaborative outreach effort between the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Inc., Lee Memorial Health System, Hope Hospice & Community Services and the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer's Resource Center. Personal care, caregiver feelings, roles and responsibilities, end of life issues and community resources are just a few of the topics to be discussed.

Classes are twice a week for two consecutive weeks, with each class lasting 3.5 hours. Gulf Coast Village will host classes.

Call (866) 231-0921 to register for CARE Classes. Class dates and times: March 6, 11 and 13 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Gulf Coast Village, 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral.