bbn brevard business news · convention in mobile, ala. the region covers mississippi, alabama,...

Vol. 29 No. 21 May 23, 2011 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine

Please see Health First, page 19

Please see Cardiac Arrest, page 16

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

US POSTAGEPAID

BREVARD BUSINESSNEWS, INC.

By Ken Datzman

Health First Inc. employees Osvaldo

“Ozzie” Cruz and Brandy Berry were

battling what tens of millions of Americans

face — a growing waistline and excess body

fat.

Both individuals were stacking on

weight, to the tune of 249 and 231 pounds,

respectively, and endangering their health.

Something had to change, they said.

One day, Berry said she came across an

e–mail sent to her by Health First an-

nouncing weight–loss competitions among

its employees. “Wow! Here’s my chance, I

thought. It really excited me. And there

was an option to have a Pro–Health &

Fitness Center personal trainer assist me.”

Berry said a steady diet of fast food and

high–calorie coffee drinks put her on a path

of weight gain she battled for years. She

said she tried a number of popular diets to

lose weight, but with little success.

Before enrolling in one of the Health

First competitions, Cruz said he was taking

medication for high–blood pressure. “My

blood pressure was in the 190s (systolic,

Health First employeeslose a ton of weight, withCruz, Berry winning titles

the top number; normal is less than 120).

That was certainly notification that I had

to do something to get it down.”

Both Berry and Cruz, as well as more

than 400 other Health First employees, are

living much healthier lifestyles today

because of their experiences competing in

the company’s first weight–loss contests.

They each won individual titles in two

different competitions, pushing themselves

to new levels of performance almost on a

weekly basis, and reshaping their lives in

the process.

Health First, which operates four

hospitals in the county, launched the

competitions to encourage its associates to

set an example in the community.

“This was the brainchild of Mike Means

(Health First president and CEO) and

Rusty Fischer (Health First board chair-

man),” said Suzie Bond, of Health First’s

Pro–Health & Fitness Center.

“The two of them asked that we put

together a program where employees

would compete in weight–loss contests. The

project involved a large number of people

Hospital operator Health First recently conducted two 12–week weight–loss competitions among itsemployees. The ‘Great Weight–off’ and the ‘Slim–to–Win Challenge’ were voluntary. In the firstevent, associates lost 2,288 pounds. The individual winner was Ozzie Cruz. Brandy Berry capturedthe Slim–to–Win title, rallying in the final week of competition. From left: Suzie Bond, Health First Pro–Health & Fitness Center; Cruz; Jill Wattenbarger, Pro–Health personal trainer; and Berry.

BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth

By Lee BowmanScripps Howard Service

The shock of youthful, seemingly

healthy athletes collapsing and dying from

sudden cardiac arrest naturally makes

athletic trainers, coaches, sports physi-

cians, and parents want to do all they can

to prevent it.

Yet heart specialists and advocates are

divided over just what the best prevention

might be.

Some sports–medicine specialists and

the advocacy group Parent Heart Watch

are urging that all young athletes going

into the heavy training of high school or

even junior high school competitive sports

undergo cardiac screening as part of a pre–

participation physical. They argue that

testing should include an electrocardio-

gram and/or an echocardiogram before the

athlete is cleared to play.

But an evaluation of a mandatory

screening program for Israeli athletes,

published recently, suggests such testing

might be of limited value.

Dr. Sami Viskin of Tel Aviv University

examined 24 documented cases of sudden

cardiac deaths among competitive athletes

in Israel between 1985 and 2009. He found

that 11 of the cases occurred before 1997,

when mandatory testing of all competitive

athletes became required by law, and 13

happened after the screening started.

Dr. Viskin’s report was published in the

March 15 issue of the “Journal of the

American College of Cardiology.”

Dr. Viskin said an abnormal EKG

might be seen in 10 percent of athletes

being screened, requiring further costly

and time–consuming testing. Based on the

numbers in his review, he said, “over

30,000 athletes would have to be tested to

Sudden cardiac arrest in athletes confounds medical community

BBN Brevard Business

News

MAY 23, 2011Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising InformationBREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2

BBN DIGESTFlorida Tech’s ‘Evening of Hope’function raises $190,000 for theScott Center for Autism Treatment

More than 260 people attended “An Evening of Hope

III,” which raised more than $190,000 for the Florida

Institute of Technology Scott Center for Autism Treat-

ment.

The event was held recently at the Merritt Island home

of Ed and Cheryl Scott, benefactors of the center.

“We raised the funds through sponsorships, a live

auction and a Rolex watch raffle. People responded

extremely generously to all these efforts, said J. Carey

Gleason, Florida Tech associate vice president for

development and community relations.

The Rolex, a model 16610 Rolex Oyster men’s watch,

was valued at $6,000 and donated by Kempf’s Jewelers in

Indialantic.

A portion of the funds raised from this year’s Evening

of Hope will go toward the creation of a resource room for

parents and teachers. It will be located on the second floor

of the Scott Center on the Florida Tech Melbourne

campus.

The Scott Center opened in October 2009. It provides

treatment, education and training for persons with autism

spectrum disorders and their families from Brevard,

Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and

Volusia counties.

The center implements research–based practices,

partners with schools and families and collaborates with

other professionals in this new facility. The center’s

website is http://research.fit.edu/scottcenter.

‘Get Started in Latin’ set for B&NBarnes & Noble in West Melbourne will host the

program “Get Started in Latin” each Thursday at 11 a.m.

throughout June and July. The store is at 1955 W. New

Haven Ave. Students of all ages who are interested in

learning Latin are welcome to attend the meetings. Scott

Miller of Central Middle School, a certified Latin teacher,

will present the program.

Payne named Maritime Person of the YearJ. Stanley Payne, executive director of the Canaveral

Port Authority, was named Maritime Person of the Year

for the Southeast Region of the Propeller Club at its recent

convention in Mobile, Ala. The region covers Mississippi,

Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Payne

was selected from a number of top people in the maritime

industry for his “effective leadership, dedication and

commitment to the maritime community.” As executive

director, Payne has overseen major improvements to Port

Canaveral infrastructure that have required a key effort

on his part to obtain cooperation from other federal, state

and local agencies whose operations impact Port

Canaveral. Port Canaveral is one of the engines driving

the economy of Brevard County. Payne is now eligible for

selection as International Maritime Person of the Year.

He will be competing against candidates from around the

world at the Propeller Club’s International Convention in

Le Havre, France, this October. The Port Canaveral club

is accepting new members. For more information visit

www.PropellerClubCanaveral.com.

UCF

new ad emailed

Crissypick up BBN

5/16/11page 8

Uniformpick up BBN

5/09/11page 5

Your degree.

“MORTGAGE MONEY”

777-3232“Brevard’s most referred lender since 1981”

Uniforms � Shoes � Accessories

Uniform Mart

Medical & EMT Supplies

Melbourne Shopping Center

1387 S. Babcock Steet

676-0000

Featuring Products

form Mak up BBk up B

Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMAY 23, 2011

BBN DIGEST

BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 3

Dr. Ray Armstrong’s $2.5 millionpledge starts the fund–raisingdrive for the School of Psychology

Florida Institute of Technology Trustee Dr. Raymond

Armstrong Sr. has pledged $2.5 million in support of the

School of Psychology.

The donation will go toward facilities renovation and

construction, and endowment.

“The School of Psychology’s success and community

outreach necessitate additional space and resources,” said

Florida Tech President Anthony Catanese. “Our growing

programs, first–class initiatives, student demand and

societal needs necessitate that we go forward with our

mission to equip the school with all that’s required to serve

our students and the people they benefit.”

A board of trustees member since 1984, Dr. Armstrong

said, “I recognize that the School of Psychology must

replace and modernize its buildings, facilities and equip-

ment to ensure an excellent academic environment. I

pledge to help in every way possible.”

One of the university’s current priorities is a new

building for the School of Psychology. Dr. Mary Beth

Kenkel, the school’s dean, said, “We believe that this very

welcome gift from Dr. Armstrong will provide the seed to

grow a strong funding effort.”

“This is the first substantial donation in a continuing

effort to enhance the resources of the School of Psychology,”

added Ken Stackpoole, Florida Tech’s senior vice president

for advancement. “It comes at an excellent time as we

solidify our plans to support the school.”

The School of Psychology originated in 1980 to focus on

preparing professionals to address some of the most

pressing needs of society. The school’s clinical psychology

doctorate program, nationally accredited since 1984, was

started to meet the need for a mental health work force for

the rapidly growing population of Florida and the South-

east. The school’s degrees and programs include indus-

trial–organizational psychology, forensic psychology and

applied behavior analysis.

The program reached national prominence with the

opening in fall 2009 of the Scott Center for Autism

Treatment on the Melbourne campus of Florida Tech. The

$5.4 million building was funded through a contribution

from Ed and Cheryl Scott and a grant from the Health

Resources and Services Administration.

Dr. Armstrong, former chief of surgery at Holmes

Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and a leader in

community affairs, currently resides in Monroe, La.

For more information about the School of Psychology,

visit http://cpla.fit.edu/psych.

Sunflower House seeks donationsThe Sunflower House is accepting donations for its

medical–equipment bank. Wheelchairs, walkers with

seats, shower chairs, and bedside commodes are most

needed. The medical–equipment bank loans equipment to

individuals age 60 and older and to caregivers of individu-

als age 60 and older who are in need. This program is

donation–based. The Sunflower House, a senior and

caregiver resource center located in Merritt Square Mall, is

a program of Community Services Council of Brevard

County.

Mercedespick up BBN

5/09/11page 3

FULL COLOR

Suttonpick up BBN

5/16/11page 3

FULL COLOR

Michael Gaichpick up BBN

5/16/11page 7

FULL COLOR

Blue Tangerinepick up BBN

5/09/11page 5

FULL COLOR

Discover Us at SuttonFL.com

321.725.1240

Three One

509 E. NASA Blvd. Melbourne 32901 m-f 9am-8pm sat. 9am-7pm sun. noon-6pm

800.719.6727

Whichever type of luxury or peformance suits you, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz or Audi,we promise exceptional service and your ultimate satisfaction.

Featuring the Space Coast & Treasure Coast’slargest selection of new and certifi ed

pre-owned luxury vehicles.

Pre-Owned Luxury

Enjoy complimentary pick-up & delivery and a loaner vehicle with every scheduled service appointment.

Shay Rowe Owner,General Manager

MAY 23, 2011Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information

BBN EDITORIAL

BBNBrevard

Business

News


4300 Fortune Place, Suite DWest Melbourne, FL 32904

(321) 951–7777fax (321) 951–4444

BrevardBusinessNews.com

PUBLISHERAdrienne B. Roth

EDITORKen Datzman

OFFICE MANAGERFrank Schiffmann

Brevard Business News is published every Monday byBrevard Business News Inc. Bulk Rate postage is paid atMelbourne, FL and Cocoa, FL. This publication servesbusiness executives in Brevard County. It reports onnews, trends and ideas of interest to industry, trade,agribusiness, finance, health care, high technology,education and commerce.

Letters to the Editor must include the writer’s signatureand printed or typed name, full address and telephonenumber. Brevard Business News reserves the right to editall letters. Send your letters to: Editor, Brevard BusinessNews, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,32904, or email [email protected].

Subscription Rates for home or office mail delivery are$26.00 for one year (52 issues). Send all addresschanges to: Circulation Department, Brevard BusinessNews, 4300 Fortune Place, Suite D, West Melbourne, FL,32904, or email [email protected].

Insurance benefits for exercise programs can cut health costsBy Czerne M. Reid

Structured exercise and physical–activity programs

should be covered by insurance as a way to promote

health and reduce health–care costs, especially among

high health–risk populations such as those who have

diabetes.

So says Dr. Marco Pahor, director of the University of

Florida Institute on Aging, in a May 4 editorial in the

“Journal of the American Medical Association.” Dr.

Pahor’s paper accompanies an analysis of multiple clinical

trials that examined the effect of exercise and physical

activity on the control of blood–glucose levels.

“Cumulative work over the past few decades provides

solid evidence for public policymakers to consider

structured physical activity and exercise programs as

worthy of insurance reimbursement,” Dr. Pahor said.

A host of studies have linked exercise programs with

improved health measures related to blood pressure, lipid

levels — including cholesterol and triglycerides —

cardiovascular events, cognition, physical performance,

premature death and quality of life. People who take part

in programs that contain both aerobic and resistance

training are likely to get the greatest benefit, compared

with people who do only resistance exercises.

The study that Dr. Pahor’s editorial accompanied,

conducted by Daniel Umpierre, of the Hospital de Clinicas

de Porto Alegre, Brazil, and colleagues, compared the

association between physical activity advice and struc-

tured exercise programs, respectively, and markers of

diabetes.

Analyses of interventions to promote physical exercise

in adults have found that compared with no intervention,

exercise programs are cost–effective and have the

potential to improve survival rates and health–related

quality of life.

Some insurance providers already include a fitness

benefit for members, such as monthly membership at

certain fitness centers or access to personal trainers or

exercise classes at reduced cost. Use of such health plan–

sponsored club benefits by older adults has been linked to

slower increases in total health–care costs.

In one study, older adults who visited a health club two

or more times a week over two years incurred $1,252 less

in health–care costs in the second year than those who

visited a health club less than once a week. Programs

among people with lower incomes can also pay off,

because people in that group are otherwise more likely to

forego health–promoting physical activity because of

economic constraints or safety concerns.

“People are willing to invest in improved health, but if

you have a fixed amount of resources then you want to

choose where you get the most health for the dollar,” said

Erik Groessl, an assistant professor of family and

preventive medicine at the University of California, San

Diego, and director of the UCSD Health Services Research

Center. Groessl was not involved in the current analysis.

Group training or walking programs, for example, can

be cost–effective, sustainable forms of physical activity

that don’t require expensive health–care professionals or

equipment. But more costly interventions that yield

dramatic results might also be worth the expense.

With respect to type 2 diabetes, Medicare reimburses

for approved self–management education and medical

nutrition therapy programs. But no specific reimburse-

ment is given for any physical activity or exercise pro-

gram, despite evidence that such programs can help

improve health and cut costs.

Questions remain as to what format reimbursable

exercise and physical activity programs should take, what

population group should be targeted, and at what stage of

life or health status would a lifestyle intervention be most

cost–effective to implement.

Various studies, including the UF Institute on Aging

Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders, or

LIFE study, are aimed at answering those questions

through randomized controlled trials that can provide

data about the efficacy and cost–effectiveness of struc-

tured activity programs with respect to a range of health

outcomes.

Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the LIFE

study is the largest of its kind to examine physical activity

and health education as a way to prevent mobility

disability among older adults, and accounts for the largest

federal award to the University of Florida.

The institute will break ground on May 26 for a

40,000–square–foot complex within UF’s new $45 million,

120,000–square–foot Clinical and Translational Research

Building, which will serve as headquarters for this

research and others aimed at speeding scientific discover-

ies to patients.

“There is a lot of evidence that physical activity works,

and I think it’s time to start putting it into practice more

widely,” Groessl said.

Boy Scouts to recognize recipients of coveted Silver Beaver AwardThe Boy Scouts of America, acting through the

National Court of Honor, annually presents the Silver

Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth in the

community. The award will be presented at the Central

Florida Council Recognition Banquet, at 7 p.m. on Friday,

June 10, at the Buena Vista Palace Resort and Spa, 1900

Buena Vista Drive, in Lake Buena Vista.

Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders

who have made “an impact on the lives of youth through

service given to the council.”

The award is presented to those who implement the

Scouting program and perform community service

through “hard work, self–sacrifice, dedication, and many

years of service.” Most important, it is “presented to those

who do not actively seek it.” Fifty–nine qualified nomina-

tions were received and considered by the awards

committee.

Based upon prescribed criteria, related to the number

of youth served, the Central Florida Council has selected

14 award recipients.

The 2010–11 Class of Silver Beaver recipients are:

l Dennis Cowley, Challenger District, Brevard County.

l Melissa Haymes, Challenger District, Brevard County.

l Andy Ziegler, Riverside District, Brevard County.

l Brenda Carey, Seminole County Commissioner,

Seminole Springs District, Seminole County.

l Robert Foley, Apopka Shores District, West Orange

County.

l Bobbi Gnan, Little Econ District, East Orange County.

l Amy Iennaco, Fort Gatlin District, Orange County.

l James Marshall — Little Econ District, East Orange

County.

l Don Martino, Seminole Springs District, Seminole

County.

l Larry Middour, Little Econ District, East Orange

County.

l Eunice Phelps, Osceola District, Osceola County.

l Jim Radosevich, Sand Lake District, Orange County.

l Robert Utsey, Seminole Springs District, Seminole

County.

l Jeff Watson, Sand Lake District, Orange County.

l The 2010–2012 Class of Silver Beaver Honoree is Don

Stafford, a 50–year Central Florida Council veteran of the

Boy Scouts of America.

Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMAY 23, 2011 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 5

BBN DIGESTArea resident Brittany Rainbow namedas Outstanding Junior at Florida Tech;the Outstanding Senior is Adam Hanafi

Brittany Rainbow of Melbourne Beach was named

Outstanding Junior and Adam Hanafi of Agadir, Morocco,

was named Outstanding Senior at Florida Tech’s annual

Honors Convocation.

They were chosen by a faculty committee from among

those earning Outstanding Junior and Outstanding Senior

designations within each academic area.

Rainbow, an ecology major, has maintained excellence

academically and participated in a variety of extracurricu-

lar activities in her three years at Florida Tech. She has

been a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor

Society, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the

Tri Beta Biology National Honor Society; played on the

Panther women’s soccer and track and field teams; and, for

Tri Beta, was a team captain in the Relay for Life event to

fight cancer.

Her honors include national semifinalist for NCAA

Division II Women’s Soccer, inclusion on the Athletic

Director’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List, and she is a

Distinguished Student Scholar.

Rainbow’s research experiences include work as an

intern at the Barrier Island Center for sea turtle nesting

research and a volunteer dolphin researcher at the Hubbs

Sea World Research Institute for Duke University. At

Hubbs, she helps with dolphin–radio tracking.

Rainbow has contributed to her local community as a

lector and Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Conception

Catholic Church and as a group leader at Chapel by the

Sea Vacation Bible School.

Hanafi, an electrical engineering major who holds a

near–perfect grade–point average, is in the university’s

Fast–Track program to earn a master’s degree in systems

engineering when he graduates with his bachelor’s degree.

He has held a variety of positions in Florida Tech

campus organizations and programs and has been Student

Government secretary for two consecutive years. He has

served as Homecoming chairman and president of the

student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electron-

ics Engineers and is a member of the honor societies Phi

Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi Engineering

Honor Societies.

Hanafi has earned recognition as a Rising Star Student

Leader of the Year and has received a variety of academic

grants, including the Florida Tech Academic Scholarship

for four years and been on the Dean’s List.

His community service includes volunteering for road

and beach clean–ups and raising funds for organizations

such as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society

and Scott Center for Autism Research. He was also captain

of a Relay for Life team.

Hanafi has conducted research and earned placements

in his field at international businesses with offices near the

university. He currently works on the JPL Systems

engineering modeling project for the electrical system of a

spacecraft and helped design a robot for the IEEE South-

east Conference.

He just completed a co–op experience at General

Electric Energy Services and has started a summer

internship in the Harris Corp. Systems Engineering

Department.

Buena Vidanew ad emailed

FULL COLOR

CIApick up BBN

4/25/11page 2

FULL COLOR

Ben & Jerryspick up BBN

5/16/11page 16

FULL COLOR

Sarah Carenew ad emailed

321-676-3460Beth Rosenbloom RN

Executive Director

Complete Adult Day Care ServicesDelivered with Love

1504 S. Harbor City BlvdMelbournewww.sarahcare.com

Mention this ad & receive10% OFF CATERING*

The Oaks(321) 674-7599

www.benjerry.com/theoaks/catering*expires 7/31/2011


Work out.

Stress out.

If you’re worried choosing a health plan might be stressful, take a look at Health First Health Plans. Our friendly sales associates and customer service representatives make it easy to fi nd a plan that meets your needs.

We offer a variety of plans with several choices for premiums and coverage to fi t your budget. And, we can also help you improve your health with innovative programs and benefi ts like fi tness center memberships (another great stress reliever)!

Contact us or your broker today to fi nd the plan that’s right for you! Health First Health Plans can help you make healthy decisions. Call 321-434-5665

or 1-800-716-7737or TTY/TDD relay 1-800-955-87717 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

www.HealthFirstHealthPlans.org6450 US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955Inspiring healthy moments.

A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Exclusions & limitations apply. The benefi t information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefi ts. For more information, contact the plan. 1National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Insurance Plan Rankings—Medicare & Private (2010–11). All rankings are displayed at www.ncqa.org. NCQA is a private, non-profi t organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. 22011 Medicare Five-Star Ratings, www.Medicare.gov.H1099_EL2435_04811 File & Use 02222011

Plans include:• Commercial group plans (HMO,

POS, high deductible, and TPA)• Medicare Advantage plans

(HMO and HMO-POS)

Ranked second in Florida! • For Medicare and commercial

group plans in the NCQA Health Insurance Plan Rankings1

• 4.5 out of 5 stars from Medicare2

Important health decisions happen every moment.


BBN DIGEST


‘Operation Medicine Cabinet’ is a bigsuccess, area hospital teams with police

PALM BAY — More than a quarter ton of drugs were

turned in to authorities at Palm Bay Hospital over the

weekend as part of the hospital’s “Operation Medicine

Cabinet,” a joint effort between the hospital and local law

enforcement to reduce the amount of prescription and

over–the–counter drugs that can fall into the hands of

children and teenagers.

Palm Bay Hospital, together with the Palm Bay Police

Department, accepted all non–prescription, over–the–

counter medications, prescription medications, and even

pet medications. On April 30, Palm Bay Hospital collected

545 pounds of pills and other drugs. The effort was part of

National Drug Take Back Day by the U.S. Drug Enforce-

ment Administration.

“We were stunned by the volume of drugs turned in,”

said Palm Bay Hospital President Judy Gizinski. “Every

pill we collected is a pill that won’t find its way into a

child’s hands. That is exactly why we held the event, and

exactly what we were able to accomplish.”

Consider these statistics from the U.S. Drug Enforce-

ment Administration:

l Every day, on average, 2,500 teens use prescription

drugs to get high for the first time.

l Sixty percent of teens who abused prescription pain

relievers did so before the age of 15.

l Fifty–six percent of teens believe that prescription

drugs are easier to get than illicit drugs.

l Two in five teens believe that prescription drugs are

“much safer” than illegal drugs.

l Sixty–three percent of teens believe that prescription

drugs are easy to get from friends’ and family’s medicine

cabinets.

Scott to perform at museum’s ‘Jazz Friday’Winston Scott, a former astronaut and current dean of

Florida Tech’s College of Aeronautics, will perform from

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Brevard Art

Museum in Melbourne. Scott, a trumpeter, will be joined

by friends as they perform in the galleries as part of the

museum’s “Jazz Friday” program, held the third Friday of

the month. The event is free of charge to museum mem-

bers; $10 for others. The program is sponsored by WFIT

radio and AT&T Real Yellow Pages. For more details

about Jazz Friday, call 242–0737.

Playhouse to present ‘Impossible Dream’Titusville Playhouse Inc. will present acclaimed

Broadway actor Patrick Sullivan’s “Impossible Dream” at

7 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. Featuring some of those high–

kicking dancers from The Rockettes and New York actors

from such Broadway favorites as “Les Miserables” and

“Phantom of the Opera,” this Dean Martin–style variety

show will bring big–city entertainment to Brevard.

Sullivan, who has starred in such Broadway shows as

“42nd Street” and “Beauty and the Beast,” will bring a

veritable menagerie of fellow stars from the Broadway

companies of “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Oklahoma,” and

“Victor/Victoria.” This “one–of–a–kind opportunity” to see

Broadway–caliber performances is offered to the commu-

nity at $25 per ticket, a fraction of the cost it would be to

see these same actors in New York City.

Space Coast Cancer Center

new ad emailed

FULL COLOR

Twin Riversnew ad emailed

FULL COLOR

EVENT

10AM – 1PM

ATSPACE COASTCANCER CENTER490 N. Washington Ave., Titusville

There will be complimentary services and displays including: Manicures, Hairstyling, Make-up Demonstrations,

Massages, Art & Music Therapy and Food.

Please RSVP to Shannon at 321.268.4200 x3500

This will be your time to celebrate life and fellowship with cancer survivors.

www.SpaceCoastCancer.comAn Affiliate of Moffitt Cancer Center

Insurance, Inc.Insurance, Inc.e, Inuran

TWINRIVERS

(321) 726-6550

Insurance can be challenging, so we take

a hands on, personalized approach. Call us and experience

the difference!

306 E. New Haven Ave • Melbourne, FL 32901

Why Go Anywhere Else?

#1 In Customer ServiceGeneral LiabilityPropertyWorkers’ CompBusiness AutoUmbrellaBondsProfessional Liability

MedicalDentalLife/DisabilityVisionHSA/FSASection 125/Pre-taxVoluntary Benefits

www.twinriversinsurance.com


BBN DIGEST


Registration begins for fall term at BCCBrevard Community College opened online registra-

tion for fall credit courses on May 9. Walk–in registration

will begin on May 23. The college is also continuing

registration for the summer term. All forms of registra-

tion for the fall term will close Aug. 12. However,

students can still add courses until the first day of the

term, which is Aug. 15. The college offers eight–, 12– and

16–week courses during the fall term. Registration for

the summer session is officially open and ongoing. BCC

offers six–, eight– and 11–week courses during the

summer term, which started May 16. The school offers

nearly “100 degrees and career programs, small classes

with personalized attention, qualified and accessible

professors, guaranteed transfer to four–year universities

and affordable tuition.” To speak to an admissions

counselor, call 632–1111. Current students can register

for courses at www.brevardcc.edu, by logging into the

“MyBCC” Web portal.

AVET partners with area organization tosupport troops, raise safety awareness

The American Veterans Empowerment Team Project

Inc. at Patrick Air Force Base is partnering with the

Brevard County Chapter of ABATE, a leading motorcycle–

rights organization, to support AVET’s “Project Recupera-

tion and Reintegration,” a retreat program for returning

combat veterans.

The partnership also focuses on increasing the aware-

ness of motorcycle safety through ABATE’s “Can–U–See–

Me–Now” initiative.

PR&R is an AVET Project exclusive, where returning

combat veterans are selected for a three–day, two–night

retreat that provides an opportunity to decompress, relax,

and learn valuable reintegration skills after returning

from combat deployment.

PR&R also instructs these brave warriors on potential

veterans benefits and employment counseling, along with

a combination of techniques and coping strategies to deal

with the affects of combat.

The Brevard County Chapter of ABATE has estab-

lished itself as a “standout supporter of various causes

which are important to its membership and citizens in

general.”

Mike Pope, president of the local chapter of ABATE,

spearheaded this latest joint effort as a way to “support our

troops while at the same time focusing attention on

motorcycle awareness among all motorists who share the

roadways.”

Pope added, “ABATE chapters across Florida will

conduct a motorcycle ride we’ve termed ‘Can U See Me

Now” on May 22, with starting points located statewide —

originating at various American Legion Posts — and

meeting in Ormond Beach at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destina-

tion Daytona.”

Pope said the proceeds will go toward supporting

ABATE outreach and AVET Project’s PR&R program.

Volunteer and vendor sales opportunities are available.

For information about the ride, visit

www.brevard.abateflorida.com or call Pope at 480–3619.

More details about AVETs’ various programs and services

can be found at www.avetproject.org and on Facebook, or

call 373–7046.

BSOnew ad emailed

Websternew ad emailed

Christopher Confessore

Music Director & Principal Conductor

f

� � � ��

brevardsymphony.comFor Full Season Schedule visit

NEW SUBSCRIBERSSAVE 25%Call for details.

*Programs and artists are subject to change. All performances are at the King Center, unless otherwise stated.

These programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State,

Division of Cultural Affairs through the Florida Arts Council and the Brevard County

Board of Commissioners through the Brevard Cultural Alliance, Inc.

Brevard’s Premier Professional Orchestra

Connect with BSO on

Fully accredited Master’s degrees.On campus. Online. On your schedule.

webster.edu/spacecoast

Merritt Island 321.449.4500Melbourne 321.956.6700Patrick AFB 321.868.5194

Apply today to start classesMay 30th!


BBN DIGEST

Marines to clean Veterans’ CemeteryThe Marines of the Titusville community will lead a

detail of young men and women in the cleaning of the

Veterans Cemetery May 28 on Day Street in Titusville.

The young men and women, Marine recruits awaiting

their opportunity to attend basic training, will remove

trash, pressure–wash all head stones and place American

flags at every grave. At the conclusion of the cleaning,

estimated to occur at noon, a U.S. Navy chaplain will lead

the Marines and recruits in a service to honor the fallen.

Veterans, family of veterans and the public are invited to

participate in the honoring of Titusville’s veterans. The

cemetery contains the remains of 127 veterans; 13 of

which are Marines. All fallen service members within the

cemetery served in World War I, World War II, Korea or

Vietnam. Travis Hardware of Cocoa Village donated the

flags, Ace Hardware and Lowes in Titusville donated

equipment and necessary supplies. To attend the

ceremony or for further information, contact the Marine

Public Affairs representative for Central Florida, Sgt.

Paul Robbins Jr., at 436–0466 or send an e–mail message

to [email protected].

Parrish Health & Fitness Center set tocelebrate annual National Senior Health

TITUSVILLE — Parrish Health & Fitness Center will

join an estimated 1,000 national events to celebrate the

18th annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day on

Wednesday, May 25.

As an official host site, Parrish Health & Fitness

Center, located at 2210 Cheney Highway in Titusville,

will hold a fun event focusing on senior health and

wellness.

An estimated 100,000 seniors across the country are

expected to help promote active, healthy lifestyles

through physical fitness, good nutrition and preventive

care.

At Parrish Health & Fitness Center, it’s a “special day

just for people over age 55. The event is free of charge and

open to the public.

The program will include a continental breakfast,

health screenings, vendor booths, health information,

fitness instruction, physician lectures, reduced–cost lab

testing, joint and balance screenings, and more.

All activities will be on a walk–in, first–come basis.

Seniors who join on this day will pay only $10 for

enrollment (it is normally $45). Senior rates are always

available on monthly dues.

“Our Senior Health & Fitness Day is a wonderful

opportunity for seniors to make, renew, and revitalize

their commitment to live healthier lives through better

health and wellness,” said Jessica Schwartz, Parrish

Health & Fitness Center’s general manager.

For more information about this event, call Robin

Rymkos at 268–6200 or visit

parrishhealthandfitness.com. Parrish Health & Fitness

Center is a service of Parrish Medical Center in Titusville.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is always held

on the last Wednesday in May, in support of Older

Americans Month and National Physical Fitness and

Sports Month.

It is coordinated by the Mature Market Resource

Center. For more information, visit www.fitnessday.com/

Zipper

new ad emailed

FULL COLOR

Kindredpick up BBN

4/1811page 7

FULL COLOR

Armstrongpick up BBN

5/16/11page 7

FULL COLOR

Nancy Taylorpick up BBN

5/09/11page 13

You don't need a magic lamp to cureStress Incontinence

First Urogyn center in CentralFlorida offering in-office Sling

procedures for stress incontinence

Your wish is granted by Dr. Zipper

321.674.2114www.ZipperUroGyn.com

President American Board of Aesthetic Gynecology | ABOG Board CertifiedDirector of the Southeast Dual Urogynecology Aesthetic Gyn Fellowship

Melbourne | Boca Raton | Beverly Hills

Ralph Zipper, MD, FACOG, FABAGYN

Inventor of Incisionless Vaginal Rejuvenation®

financing through

Nancy R. TaylorBroker/Owner


BBN BUSINESS


New senior–living community Grand Villa of Melbourne opens;company invests $7 million in project, creates 55 jobs; turns formerhotel into a showcase property on South Harbor City BoulevardBy Ken Datzman

Brevard County, with a fast–aging population, has

a new entry in the senior–living marketplace, Grand

Villa of Melbourne.

The elderly population in Florida and across

America is growing at double or triple the rate of the

overall U.S. population, creating the kind of demo-

graphic that spells entrepreneurial opportunity for

companies that specialize in these facilities.

One of the fastest–growing population segments is

people 85 and older. That market is expected to grow

by 74 percent now through 2030, according to AARP.

As the baby–boomers turn age 85 between 2030 and

2050, the age 85–plus population will skyrocket by

another 118 percent, the report said.

A Florida–based company has been positioning

itself in two southern states to tap the projected

growth in assisted living and independent living,

increasingly popular options for seniors.

“The primary focus of our company is to offer

quality residential care within a home–like atmo-

sphere. And that’s what we created at Grand Villa of

Melbourne,” said Steven Piazza, president and chief

executive officer of Clearwater–headquartered Senior

Management Advisors Inc., an operator of full–service

independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s

care residential communities.

The company specializes in “rejuvenating and

stabilizing” senior–living communities for owners,

financial institutions, private investors, and govern-

ment agencies. Its services include management and

development of senior–living residential communities.

Grand Villa of Melbourne, a 125–unit luxury

assisted living and independent living facility, which

recently opened for business at 964 S. Harbor City

Blvd., is one of Senior Management Advisors’

showcase projects.

The property used to house a hotel. “We’ve bought

and converted hotel properties in the past with great

success, but this is our most ambitious hotel conver-

sion to date,” Piazza said. “We’re extremely pleased

with the results and are pleased to offer such a special

housing option to seniors in the Melbourne area.”

The roughly $7 million venture is a partnership

between Senior Management Advisors and ValStone

Partners LLC, a private equity investment firm.

ValStone Partners has worked with Senior

Management Advisors on other properties as well.

“We are now partnering with SMA on four Grand

Villa communities in Central Florida and look to

them as a great partner,” said Eric Abel, managing

director for ValStone.

Investment funds managed by ValStone hold

interests in more than 20 senior–living communities

nationwide.

Piazza, whose third–generation business operates

12 such facilities in Florida and Georgia, said his

company had its eye on the Brevard market for

expansion.

His business acquires existing properties for

senior–living renovation projects, though the company

has built new facilities as well for its portfolio in the

two states.

When the 129–room, six–story hotel property on

South Harbor City Boulevard became available, “we

moved quickly on the opportunity. We were familiar

with Melbourne and Brevard County,” he said.

Piazza added, “Our company wanted to be in the

Brevard market and we thought this was a great

property to renovate. We believe it is much more

economical to transform an existing property, and it’s

a quicker turnaround.”

The Melbourne property was fully remade. For

instance, all the tubs in the hotel rooms were taken

out and showers were installed with a host of safety

devices for seniors.

The facility renovation was completed in about

eight months, he said.

“When we looked at this project, we had two

visions: First, to create a quality community for

seniors, and secondly to put people back to work. I am

pleased to say we have accomplished both of those

visions,” said Piazza, whose company has been in

business for more than 50 years, with its office in

Clearwater for the last three decades.

Piazza said many local subcontractors were

involved in the Grand Villa of Melbourne project,

including, for instance, U.S. Lawns and Eau Gallie

Electric.

“Both of those companies did phenomenal jobs for

us in their respective areas of expertise. Eau Gallie

Electric did the electrical systems and U.S. Lawns did

the landscaping.”

About 55 people work for Grand Villa of

Melbourne. Piazza said his company is projecting the

community will reach full resident occupancy in about

six months. “We had 30 reservations even before we

opened the doors to Grand Villa of Melbourne. We’re

very pleased with the community’s response.”

Grand Villa’s one–bedroom and studio apartments

feature large rooms, kitchenettes with built–in

refrigerator and microwave, spacious closets, and

large private baths with safety features such as

handrails.

“Seniors in the Melbourne area enjoy an active

lifestyle and love being close to the water,” said Betty

Martin, Grand Villa executive director. “With our

spacious rooms, elegant furnishings, beautiful pool,

activities, and many other amenities, we can offer

them the advantages of a great lifestyle without any

of the day–to–day chores.”

Emergency–alert call systems are provided in all bedrooms and

bathrooms, she said. Amenities include an Internet café, library,

billiard parlors, beauty salon, country store, wellness clinic, barber-

shop, and a large private dining room. The common areas have

large, comfortable lounges and activity rooms.

Still being developed is a specially designed senior–fitness

walking trail, said Piazza.

“The trail will feature an area where residents can do low–impact

exercises. They can stop at a couple of different places along the trail

to do these exercises, which will help strengthen their gait. This, in

turn, will reduce their risk of falling. Our goal is to keep the resi-

dents as healthy as possible.”

Grand Villa provides chauffeured transportation for seniors to go

shopping and attend events in the community.

Steve Piazza is CEO of Senior Management Advisors Inc. of Clearwater. Hislongtime family business teamed with ValStone Partners for the roughly$7 million Grand Villa of Melbourne project on South Harbor City Boule-vard. The 125–unit luxury senior–living community recently opened in atotally refurnished six–story former hotel. Piazza’s company specializes inpurchasing existing properties for senior–living conversions.



BBN BUSINESS


By Ken Datzman

Kindred Hospital in Melbourne, which opened last

year and is part of a national health–care company

based in Louisville, Ky., has expanded with the

addition of a surgical program at the 60–bed acute–

care facility on West Nasa Boulevard.

Patients in Kindred Hospitals across the country

generally require an array of services provided

through an interdisciplinary care team of physicians,

nurses, rehabilitation and respiratory therapists, and

other support staff.

“Kindred is a unique setting for health care, in that

most of the patients who come to us have multi–

system diseases,” said Clyde Blaylock, the surgical

manager for Kindred Hospital in Melbourne, a three–

story 68,659–square–foot freestanding facility.

Heading the list of patient complications at

Kindred Hospitals are infectious diseases, pulmonary

problems, and complex wounds.

“A lot of medical facilities in the region refer their

wound–care patients to us. These are patients who

typically have developed bed sores or stage–four

pressure ulcers (full thickness tissue loss with exposed

bone, tendon, or muscle). Kindred has a highly

specialized wound–management department. We’re

proud of our success rate of healing wounds,” he said.

Blaylock, who has worked for both Holmes

Regional Medical Center and Wuesthoff Health

System, said the wound department provides a range

of services following national standards of care and

research protocols.

Now, wound–management and other patients at

Kindred Hospital who need specific surgery proce-

dures performed will not have to be transported to

another facility for their operation. Kindred Hospital

has developed that capability.

Housed on the third floor of the hospital is a full

surgical suite, complete with a four–bed post–

anesthesia unit. There are two operating rooms. The

hospital has a laboratory, too. It’s managed by Tony

Nolen.

Both Blaylock and Nolen, veteran health–care

professionals in the community, were recruited in

December to set up their respective areas of the

hospital in support of the new surgery program.

“We had to purchase chemistry analyzers,

hematology analyzers, and other instrumentation for

the laboratory,” said Nolen, who has a bachelor’s

degree in clinical laboratory science from the Univer-

sity of Cincinnati and is a member of the American

Society for Clinical Pathology.

“For the patients at Kindred Hospital, we are able

to turn around their tests quickly. Everything is

interfaced with electronic charting; it’s leading the

Kindred Hospital in Melbourne expands, adds surgical program— dedicated suite on third floor of the facility; Blaylock is namedsurgical manager, Nolen recruited as the laboratory manager

way for us. Physicians have this information at their

fingertips. The whole process provides for a much

better quality of care for the patient,” he said.

The laboratory opened April 26, said Nolen, who

plans to study for his M.B.A. degree in health–care

administration at Florida Institute of Technology in

Melbourne.

Before joining Kindred Hospital, Nolen was the

laboratory supervisor at Health First’s Cape

Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach.

Dr. Lee Theophelis, a plastic surgeon with Health

First Physicians, is on the local Kindred Hospital staff

as is Dr. Mark Talbert, a general surgeon with MIMA.

“The surgeons do a lot of wound debridement and

skin grafts,” said Blaylock, a registered nurse and

graduate of Brevard Community College and the

University of Central Florida.

“When patients lie in bed for long periods of time,

they can sometimes develop pressure sores and

pressure ulcers. The skin breaks down and it has to be

repaired. Basically, what the surgeons do is a

debridement and then perform a skin graft over the

top so that it regenerates the issue,” added Blaylock,

who is enrolled in a master’s degree program at the

University of Colorado.

In difficult–to–heal and chronic wounds, such as

diabetic, venous, and pressure ulcers, there is a

continuous accumulation of fibrotic and necrotic tissue

that must be removed to maintain the readiness of

the wound for healing. The process of removing these

barriers is called debridement, said Blaylock, whose

career positions include having worked for plastic

surgeons, surgery centers, and as a critical–care

nurse.

Other surgical procedures the physicians at

Kindred Hospital in Melbourne perform include

tracheotomy and the insertion of PEG tubes.

Tracheotomy is a procedure that consists of

making an incision on the anterior of the neck and

opening a direct airway through the trachea. The

insertion of PEG or percutaneous endoscopic

gastrostomy tubes are generally for patients who are

unable to eat or cannot eat an adequate diet for

periods longer than five days.

Blaylock said Kindred Hospital’s new venture is a

convenience for the patients and their families.

“I think it’s going to help the community tremen-

dously, because previously when Kindred admitted

long–term patients of this type they usually had to

travel to Tampa, Miami or even out of the state to

receive this kind of care. Now, we have a central

location in Brevard. It’s much easier on the patients

and their families,” said Blaylock, who once worked in

the critical–care unit at Wuesthoff Hospital.

Kindred Healthcare Inc. is a public company and

annually issues a quality report which outlines the

organization’s “continued commitment” to improving “person–

centered” care coordination, the core of its “Continue–the–Care”

strategy, and its progress in improving quality indicators, clinical

outcomes, and customer satisfaction in each of its service lines.

The 2010 “Quality and Social Responsibility Report” was released

by Kindred in the first quarter of this year. The company’s long–

term acute–care hospitals and nursing and rehabilitation centers

“continued to outperform national benchmarks” in key quality

indictors, while caring for sicker patients and investing in additional

clinical resources to meet their needs.

Angelica Cotshott is CEO of Kindred Hospital in Melbourne. The

Melbourne facility is one of 10 freestanding Kindred Hospitals in

Florida. It’s part of a district that includes hospitals in Palm Beach,

Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Coral Gables, overseen by an

executive director.

Kindred Hospital in Melbourne recruited veteran health–care professionalsClyde Blaylock, right, and Tony Nolen to lead their respective areas insupport of a new surgical program at the 60–bed acute–care facility.Blaylock, a BCC and UCF graduate, is surgical manager. Nolen, a Universityof Cincinnati graduate, is laboratory manager.



BBN DIGEST


Florida Tech to offer new biomedicalengineering degree beginning this fall

The Florida Institute of Technology’s College of

Engineering will offer a new undergraduate degree in

biomedical engineering starting in this fall.

Biomedical engineering applies engineering and

science methodologies to the analysis of biological and

physiological problems and to the delivery of health care.

Biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures

that solve medical and health–related problems by

combining their knowledge of biology and medicine with

engineering principles and practices.

“I worked in this field for several years as a re-

searcher and found it abounds with multitudes of

challenging and exciting problems to be solved,” said

Fred Ham, interim dean, College of Engineering and

Harris Professor.

“This field closes the gap between engineering and

medicine, and is an excellent fit with our existing

curriculum. Our students graduating with a degree in

biomedical engineering will be well positioned to work in

a variety of areas where they can improve the quality of

human health and life,” he added.

In pursuing the biomedical engineering degree at

Florida Tech, students can take biomedical engineering

courses as freshmen, participate in clinical research

projects conducted by medical doctors and dentists, and

are offered many co–op, internship and job opportunities.

The program at Florida Tech is a pathway for

students to get admitted to medical and dental schools. It

will prepare graduates to pursue technical careers

addressing challenges in the field and to effectively

function and provide leadership to multidisciplinary

teams.

“We believe there will be great student interest in this

degree program, which combines the design and

problem–solving skills of the engineer with the medical

and biological sciences. Its practitioners will improve

health–care diagnosis, monitoring and therapy,” said

Hamid Rassoul, dean of the College of Science.

To learn more about the biomedical engineering

program, visit www.fit.edu/programs.

‘Hurricane Preparedness’ program setThe Sunflower House will host a “Hurricane Pre-

paredness Week” program May 23 through May 28.

Throughout the week there will be a display of essential

hurricane items along with information about disaster–

relief agencies, supply checklists, plans for pet owners,

and Brevard County special–needs shelter applications.

On Monday, May 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Lynda

Wilson will present “Survival in a Suitcase.” On Tuesday,

May 24, from 11 a.m. to noon, Beth Shephard, who is

with the University of Florida/Brevard County Extension

Office, will discuss food safety during and after a

hurricane. On Thursday, May 26, from 1 to 2 p.m., Lacie

Davis from Brevard County Emergency Management

will discuss general hurricane preparation. On Saturday,

May 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Humane Society will

be available to discuss hurricane preparations and

necessary supplies for pet owners. The Sunflower House

is in Merritt Square Mall. To reserve a seat for any of

these presentations, call 452–4341.

Undergraduate DegreesAviation Business AdministrationAviation MaintenanceProfessional AeronauticsTechnical Management

SPACE COAST CAMPUS1020 Central AvenueBuilding 998, I Wing

Patrick AFB, FL 32925-2901

Classroom location4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd.

Melbourne, FL 32934

321-783-5020 [email protected]

Gain the Skills...that employers are looking for!

Graduate DegreesAeronautical ScienceBusiness Administration in AviationManagementProject Management

Online learning opportunities

Flexible and convenient, evening classesfor working adults

EagleVision allows students to participatevia web-conferencing in a classroomor from home

Gain the Skills...that employers are looking for!

694 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937

321-773-7788

Most iPhone and iPodrepairs done in 1 business day

OOPS!

Broken iPhone or iPod?We can help!


BBN DIGESTHeart procedures at Cape CanaveralHospital reduce dangers for residents

COCOA BEACH — New heart procedures are being

performed at Cape Canaveral Hospital that will signifi-

cantly cut the amount of time until life–saving treatment

is available for barrier island and Merritt Island residents,

as well as the nearly 3 million cruise ship passengers at

Port Canaveral each year.

Cape Canaveral Hospital is now among only 25 percent

of U.S. hospitals able to perform life–saving percutaneous–

coronary intervention (PCI) procedures for patients

suffering heart attacks.

According to the American Heart Association, PCI is

the preferred method for treating STEMI heart attacks,

considered among the most dangerous, therefore requiring

more immediate treatment.

“Any barrier–island community presents its own set of

challenges when quickly transporting a patient to the

hospital,” said Orlando Dominguez, chief of EMS opera-

tions for Brevard County Fire Rescue.

“When it comes to cardiac–related EMS calls, time is

muscle. The further we have to drive, the greater the risk

to the patient. Now having Cape Canaveral Hospital as an

option can cut that drive time down by as much as 20 to 30

minutes depending on traffic. Having Cape Canaveral

Hospital as the closest destination also allows us to keep

our EMS crews closer to the communities they serve, and

available for the next call,” he added.

Until now, STEMI patients would either need to be

flown from Cape Canaveral Hospital to Holmes Regional

Medical Center in Melbourne, or would be transported by

ground to other area hospitals as far as 30 minutes away

from the original call (depending on traffic conditions).

In addition to performing PCI, Cape Canaveral

Hospital is also now able to perform stent procedures by

accessing a patient’s arteries through the wrist, a newer

technique that, according to industry experts, increases the

odds of surviving a major heart attack.

“Most people don’t think about it, but being on a barrier

island limits your options in an emergency,” said Vicki

Crosswell, director of imaging services at Cape Canaveral

Hospital. “We have always been the closest destination for

emergency treatment to the millions of Port visitors and

barrier island residents. Now we are the closest destina-

tion for emergency treatment when it comes to life–

threatening heart attacks.”

When minutes count the most, having PCI and stent

procedures available at Cape Canaveral Hospital now

means patients from Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral and

other barrier island communities are only minutes away

from life–saving procedures that until now might have

been too far, or too late.

Chambers to present ‘Mega Marketplace’The Cocoa Beach, Titusville, Melbourne and Palm Bay

chambers of commerce will present “Mega Marketplace”

from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20 at the Brevard Zoo Lodge,

8225 N. Wickham Road, in Melbourne. The program is

titled “It’s a Jungle Out There!” This is speed–networking

event. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The cocktail mixer

and raffle is from 4 to 5 p.m. Contact Cindy Albright at

267–3036 or send an e–mail message to her at

[email protected] for more information.

WHO: Writers of all ages, from beginners to published, age 16 and up

INSTRUCTORS: All are published writers or university professors, including:

Keynote speaker Susan Hubbard, author of The Season of Risks and othersJohn Dufresne, author of Lousiana Power and Light Leonard Nash, author of You Can’t Get

There and Other Stories

COSTS: $120 to $230Choose 6-8 hour classes, 3 or 4 days a week$40 per Lecture

($50 off second class; then $20 off per class)

Includes all speakers, panels and events!

On-campus housing availableClass size is limited!

PLEASE VISIT http://411.fit.edu/cwi or call (321) 674-7248SPONSORS: Brevard Business News, Brevard Community College,

Philip H. Talbert, Flamingo Printing, Seaside Readers, Best Buy

Creative Writing InstituteMay 22–26, 2011 | Florida Tech Campus

The Novel

Poetry

The Short Story

Writing for Children

Writing Science Fiction

Journalism

Mystery Writing

Writing for Comics and Film

Writing Fantasy/Horror

Creating Haunting Characters

Beginning Playwriting

Screenwriting

Writing Adventure Thrillers

Memoir Writing

SC-256-311

Woodlakepick up

12-21-09page 9

PROSPECT OFFICE CENTER

725-1240

Newly RenovatedSBA Approved Hub Zone


BBN DIGESTBrevard County Sheriff’s Awards Ceremonyto be shown on WBCC–TV, SCG Television

The annual Brevard County Sheriff’s Award Ceremony will be carried on cable

television.

The 2011 90–minute ceremonial video features formal recognition of sworn and civilian

employees of the Sheriff’s Office, to include the recognition of community volunteers.

The “members of the Sheriff’s Office want to extend a special appreciation to the

professional video and editing staffs at Brevard County’s Space Coast Government TV

and Brevard Community College’s WBCC–TV for their support in filming and editing our

special Awards Ceremony,” Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker said.

The Awards Ceremony will air on WBCC–TV and Space Coast Government TV on

these days and times:

l Brevard Community College (WBCC–TV Channel 68), Saturday, May 21, 8 p.m.;

Sunday, May 22, 3 p.m.; Monday, May 23, 8 p.m.; Thursday, May 26, 1 a.m.; and Satur-

day, May 28, at 2 p.m.

l Space Coast Government TV (Bright House — Channel 199) (Comcast — Channel

51 in Mims and Channel 26 in Micco), Tuesday, May 31, 4 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 4:30

p.m.; Tuesday, June 7, 6 p.m.; Thursday, June 9, 8 a.m.; Tuesday, June 14, 1 p.m.;

Thursday., June 16, 6 p.m.; Saturday, June 18, 2:30 p.m.

Summer sewing camps for kids and teens setKids and teens can learn to sew and practice their skills in a variety of summer–sewing

camps scheduled for Hancock Fabrics on Merritt Island. Classes will be taught by fiber–

artist Linda Geiger. Students entering grades 3 through 6 will meet on Monday, Wednes-

days and Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m., learning hand and machine–sewing basics, creating

projects and using patterns. Cost is $60 per week plus supplies. Students entering grades

7 through 12 will meet on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., with projects ranging from beginning

sewing through runway–style couture. Cost is $120 per month plus supplies. Geiger has

been a lifelong participant in visual and performing arts, including graphic arts, fiber arts,

puppetry, doll–making, and costume design and production. She has taught with Brevard

Cultural Alliance’s Resident Artist program, at local libraries, galleries and other venues.

Hancock Fabrics is at 95 E. Merritt Ave. For more information, call 452–2571 or

784–9347, or send an e–mail message to [email protected].

Parks and Recreation offers summer aquatics programsThe Brevard County Parks and Recreation is registering participants for summer

aquatics programs at the Central Area Parks Operations office at 840 Forrest Ave., Cocoa,

and at Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island. Registration

is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swim lessons will be offered in four

sessions from May 31 through July 21 at McLarty Park and Merritt Island High School

pools for ages 6 months to adults. The Aqua Colts Swim Team will also be held at Merritt

Island High School pool. Diving Lessons, Water Aerobics and the Electric Eels Swim

Team will be held at Rockledge High School pool. For more information including prices,

download the brochure at www.brevardparks.com.

Memorial Day weekend open house at museumThe Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum will host an open house on Memorial

Day Weekend, May 28, 29 and 30. There will be free admission to the museum for all

military, active or retired veterans. Also, Brevard County residents will be admitted free

of charge. ID is required. The open house is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., each day. Food and

refreshments will be available. The museum is at 6600 Tico Road at the Space Coast

Regional Airport. Call 268–1941 for more details about the event.

‘Celebration of Life’ at Space Coast Cancer CenterSpace Coast Cancer Center will host a “Celebration of Life” event for cancer survivors

on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Titusville office, 490 N. Washington

Ave. The community program is free of charge. There will be complimentary services and

displays, including manicures, hairstyling, make–up demonstrations, massages, art and

music therapy, and food. This event will give cancer survivors an opportunity to celebrate

life and build fellowship with other survivors. For more information or to make a reserva-

tion to attend, call Shannon at 268–4200, extension 3500. Serving the residents of

Brevard County since 1983, Space Coast Cancer Center, an affiliate of Tampa–based

Moffitt Cancer Center, is a hematology/oncology practice with locations in Titusville,

Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and Viera. Visit www.spacecoastcancer.com.

Coastal Health Systemspick up BBN

4/11/11page 15

FULL COLOR

Must get Wuesthoffout of Coastal ad

Andrettinew ad emailed

FULL COLOR

Coastal Healthpick up BBN

3-08-10page 17

FULL COLOR

Coastal Health Systemspick up BBN

11-16-09page 14

FULL COLOR

Community partners include:

Coastal makesconnections for life.






CO

MM

ISSI

ON

ONACCREDITATION OF AMBULANCE

SERVI CESAs the county’s exclusive provider of non-emergency ambulance services, Coastal Health Systems of Brevard makes important connections every day

for the citizens of our community. Since 1988, its staff of trained professionals has safely transported thousands of patients to and from their healthcare providers, playing a key role in Brevard’s medical transportation system.

Coastal Health Systems is a truly unique partnership. Operating under the governance of a Board of Directors with members from all three Brevard hospital systems and the oversight of the Board of County Commissioners, Coastal is able to respond to the needs and vision of the county’s healthcare and emergency services professionals alike.

Coastal makes connections for life—for residents of Brevard, with its community partners. For information, call 321.633.7050 or visit www.coastalhealth.org.

CoastalCoastal makesmakes

CoastalCoastalHealth Systems of BrevardHealth Systems of Brevard

Community partners include:

Coastal makes

CoastalHealth Systems of Brevard

With conference facilities and plenty of fun activities, Andretti Thrill Park is the finest place to host your next company outing. From as little as 5 people to as many as 1,500, we can accommodate your group. How about reserving the whole park just for your event?

3960 S. Babcock St. Melbourne, FL 32901

Reserve the Whole Park!

Where are youWhere are youtaking your taking your company?

Where are youtaking your company?andrettipark.com

• Corporate meetings• Company picnics• Holiday parties• Incentive Programs

(321) 956-6706

For special deals, text THRILL to 90210


BBN DIGESTBrevard Zoo’s ‘Summer Saturday Nights’starts June 11, event moves up a month

Brevard Zoo will kick off its annual “Summer Saturday Nights” June 11, with the

program running every Saturday night through July 30.

To beat the summertime heat, Brevard Zoo will extend hours of operation to 9 p.m. all

eight Saturdays in June and July.

Thanks to local businesses that sponsored the nights, admission is $5 each Saturday

starting at 5 p.m. Last admission is 8 p.m. Zoo members will be admitted free of charge.

Sponsors this year include Bright House Networks, Health First Health Plans,

Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard County Inc., Lions Club Viera, Ron Jon Cape Caribe

Resort, The Avenue Viera, and Viera State Farm agent Dan Adovasio.

As part of Summer Saturday Nights, Brevard Zoo provides musical entertainment

from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and a special animal encounter from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Other available

activities for patrons include a chance to go kayaking, ride the train, and feed giraffe.

The entertainment schedule includes these performances: June 11, Country Classics

Band; June 18, Sax Appeal Entertainment; June 25, Brevard Symphony Orchestra; July

2, Entasys; July 9, Dixie Hiway Bluegrass Band; July 16, Brevard Symphony Orchestra;

July 23, Brevard Symphony Orchestra; and July 30, Drift Session.

‘Art in the Garden’ camp begins May 30 in TitusvilleMaxine Trainer’s annual art camp for children ages 5 to 12 gets under way May 30 in

Titusville. The classes run from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, for eight

weeks. The “Art in the Garden” camp address is 414 Rock Pit Road. The fee is $145 per

week. The availability of camp scholarships will depend on donations from those in the

community who believe that access to art is important for every child, she said. Trainer

said she “took the important step” last year of incorporating her art camp as a nonprofit,

so that scholarship donations from the community are tax–deductible. “So many children

blossom when they are given the experience of creating in a non–judgmental atmosphere,”

said Trainer, “and I have been overwhelmed with requests from families who are strug-

gling economically and can’t afford to send their kids to camp.” To register children for the

camp, or to request scholarship information, contact Trainer at 652–6363 or at

[email protected].

Brevard County offers range of 4–H summer campsThe University of Florida/IFAS — Brevard County Extension Service will offer a

variety of camp experiences to youth this summer, including: Outdoor Adventures Camp:

May 31–June 3, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (youth entering grades six to eight, Palm Bay, $70); Marine

Science: June 6–10, 8 a.m.–noon (youth entering second and third grades, Cocoa, $40);

Budding Gardener Nutritional Camp: June 13–17, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (youth entering grades

four through six, Palm Bay, $65); Moola Venture: June 6–10 in Palm Bay; or July 11–15

in Cocoa; 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (youth entering grades 10 through 12, $75); Sewing Camp: July

25–29 in Palm Bay, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (youth entering three through six, $30); and Camp

Ocala: Aug. 1–5 (ages 8 to18, in Ocala). Visit http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu for more informa-

tion, or to register call Diana at 633–1702, extension 224.

BCC to offer welding certification seminarBrevard Community College will be offering a Summer Welding Certification Seminar

May 31 to June 18 at the Cocoa campus. The course will take place on Tuesday, Wednes-

day and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The

tuition (including laboratory fees) is $850. For more information, call 433–7500.

Program to celebrate 20 years with presentationsBrevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands program will celebrate 20 years

of land conservation, public access, and environmental education with a series of public

presentations across the county. Presentations will be given on Wednesday, June 1, at

6:30 p.m. at the Cocoa Beach Library; on Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m. at the Titusville

Library; on Thursday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Brevard Reference Library in

Cocoa; on Wednesday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Melbourne Library on Fee Avenue; on

Saturday, June 18, at 11 a.m. at the Melbourne Beach Library; on Thursday, June 23, at 2

p.m. at the South Mainland Library in Micco; on Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the

DeGroodt Library in Palm Bay; on Thursday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Merritt Island

Library; and on Saturday, July 16, at 3 p.m. at the Suntree–Viera Library. There is no

cost to attend. For more information about the presentations, call 255–4466 or send an

e–mail message to [email protected].

Embry Riddlecheck size

AD Morgan

new ad emailed

FULL COLOR

321.254.WILD • www.BrevardZoo.org

8225 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940

Brevard Zoo’s annua l fundra iser was a huge success t h is year t hanks to broad communit y suppor t . Your Zoo inv i t e s you to jo in us next

year for t h is fe st ive af fa i r.

We’d l ike to say Thank You to t he fo l lowing sponsors and suppor t ers of t h is year ’s event :

Accesso; Mary Baldwin, CFP; Mike and Mary Louise Coleman;

Construction Engineering Group; Craig Technologies; Florida

Bank of Commerce; FLORIDA TODAY; Walter and Dottie Gatti;

McClelland, Jones, Lyons, Lacey & Williams, LLC; Regions

Bank; Roub Family Foundation; Jim and Jonnie Swann; The

Viera Company; Wealth Care, LLC; and Whittaker Cooper

Financial Group

Dr. Nanialei Golden

Tom and Kim Vice Al Neuharth and Dr. Rachel Fornes


BBN DIGEST


Jess Parrish Underwriting Committeetargets $150,000 for annual benefit ball

TITUSVILLE — Jess Parrish Medical Foundation will host its annual benefit ball

from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Oct. 28, at La Cita Country Club in Titusville.

This year’s theme is “Hollywood Nights & Bollywood Dreams…A Night of Fantasy!”

Guests will “walk down the Hall of Fame reminiscent of old Hollywood and then cross

over into the magic of Bollywood with high–energy music, brilliant colors and alluring

entertainment.”

Richard Boggs of Boggs Gases in Titusville is the underwriting committee chairman.

He said fund–raising efforts for the event are under way. Boggs, who also chairs the

JPMF board, said the underwriting goal is $150,000.

Proceeds will benefit the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes and other

chronic conditions, he said.

Event co–chairs are Dr. Biju and Lisa Mathews, and Jim and Katherine Musick. Other

benefit ball committee members are Kelley Broome, Mary Coleman, Cheryl D’Cruz,

Rachel Hobgood, Dot Hudson, Lisa McAlpine, Tricia Parrish, Laurie Smirl, Ann

Snodgrass, Tara Sutherland, N. Christine Sylvester, Barbara Terhune and Holly Woolsey.

Tickets to the event are $100 per person and sponsorship opportunities begin at $350.

Sponsors will receive special recognition according to their level of contribution.

For sponsorship or event information, call JPMF at 269–4066 or send an e–mail

message to [email protected].

Cardiac ArrestContinued from page 1save one life.” It is estimated that 10 million to 12 million American teens and young

adults take part in competitive sports.

There is also considerable disagreement about the actual toll from sudden cardiac

death. The conventional estimate has been that about 1 in 300,000 young athletes is at

risk. The Parent Heart Watch group says the rate may be much higher because many

deaths are not widely reported and there is no national registry.

Another study, published April 4 in “Circulation,” a journal of the American Heart

Association, looked at all NCAA athletes and found that the rate of sudden cardiac arrest

among them is 1 in 44,000 a year, about seven times greater than the commonly esti-

mated rate. Researchers led by Dr. Kimberly Harmon of the University of Washington

examined 273 deaths from all causes among collegiate athletes.

They found that of 80 deaths from medical causes, 56 percent, or 45 deaths, were

heart–related. Of 36 deaths that took place during or right after exertion, 75 percent were

related to cardiac causes.

The risk for male athletes was more than three times greater than among females, and

basketball had the highest risk among sports, followed by swimming. The risk of sudden

cardiac death among the elite ranks of Division I male basketball players was one in

3,000.

Harmon, a team physician at Washington University, said the findings put the

screening debate in a new light. “The question is, where do you set the risk cutoff — one in

10,000, or 40,000 or 100,000?”

Officially, a heart association task force on sports screening has not endorsed blanket

testing, but instead urged a thorough physical, including a detailed personal and family

medical history that may suggest a need for further tests.

Dr. Mark Russell, a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott

Children’s Hospital, said no one screening test is able to detect the “several different heart

conditions that can cause sudden death in a young athlete.” EKGs may catch some

defects, the echo others, while other problems may only be revealed in an exercise stress

test.

Dr. Russell said some conditions, such as dilated cardiomyopathy — an enlarged and

weakened heart and the cause of death of Fennville, Mich., junior Wes Leonard, who

collapsed after sinking a game–winning basket in early March — may actually develop

over time and might not be detected by a single screening done months or even years

earlier.

Dr. Russell and other experts uniformly agree that, screening aside, the best ways to

increase the odds of surviving cardiac arrest are to store automated external defibrillators

around sports venues and to have athletic trainers on hand, along with coaches and other

school personnel trained in using the devices and performing CPR.

Coastal Phone

new ad emailed

FULL COLOR

RE/MAXpick up BBN

3/27/11page 14

FULL COLOR

yellow pages

People Are TalkingOver 2,000 calls in one year from the Coastal Phone books keeps my bays full! I know because I tracked and recorded the calls to check volume, and quality of calls by location, using a tracking number for each of my locations. Not only did I see great results, but listening to our calls also

helped our staff improve their response to customer needs and service.Coastal Directory provides a great return on investment, BIG results and a SMALL bill. By far these

people are the easiest yellow page company to work with that I have ever experienced. Great service, great results and at a fraction of the cost of AT&T. I wholeheartedly recommend you talk to these people for cost effective yellow pages that work. If you've been turned off by yellow pages in the

past, give these local people an opportunity to change your impression!Pam Gatto

BI

emailed

COLOR

The Most Respected Name in Real Estate

Today, choosing the right real estate agent is more important

than ever

r

R

RE / MAX Alternative Realty, Inc.141 Coconut Drive, Indialantic, FL 32903Offi ce: 321-777-4111 Fax: 321-779-0208

Web: www.homes-spacecoast.com


Now with Two Locations!!

Beachside694 East Eau Gallie Blvd,

321-773-7788

The Avenue, VieraNext to Books-A-Million

321-433-0607

Apple Authorized:Sales, Service, Support and Training

Ask about our complete business solutions!

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo and iPad, are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

VISUAL DYNAMICS, INC.


BBN ADVERTISERS


Health First

new ad emailed

FULL COLOR

Something

*Note: If you’re currently under the care of a physician for prostate cancer, or have had surgery to remove the prostate, you should not have the PSA blood test and digital rectal exam. Instead, we encourage you to bring a friend who has never had prostate screening.

FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING AVAILABLECentral Brevard County Branch NAACP

10th Annual Men’s Health SummitSaturday, June 11, 2011, 9 am to noon

Brevard Community College – Cocoa CampusHealth Science Campus, Building 20, First Floor

1519 Clearlake Road in Cocoa

ATTENTION BREVARD COUNTY MENATTENTION BREVARD COUNTY MEN

FREE PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams will be provided by area physicians and health providers.* Bring a friend or family member too!

No appointment necessary.For more information, call

321.434.4335 or

800.549.3884Sponsored by these partners:

10th AS

BrevHeal


BBN SPECIAL FOCUSHealth FirstContinued from page 1across the Health First organization, from the concept

launch all the way to the day–to–day operation of the

contests.”

Employee health management, once a low priority on

the corporate agenda, is becoming a core business strategy

for a growing number of organizations. Company leaders

increasingly value its long–term return–on–investment,

much like research and development.

Studies show that healthy employees reduce a

company’s sick–leave absenteeism, lower its health–care

costs, and reduce workers’ compensation claims.

Employees are more productive on the job, too, because

they are healthier. And a high–performance work force

typically provides a company a marketplace edge.

In the local market, Rockledge–based Health First Inc.,

one of the largest employers in the region, is leading the

way in the wellness arena getting their employees involved

in fitness and nutrition.

Health First recently held two structured contests, one

modeled after a popular TV reality show, to engage its

work force to shed excess pounds and shape up, with cash

prizes and incentives a part of the program.

The “Great Weight–off” competition and the more

extreme “Slim–to–Win Challenge” ran for 12 weeks. Both

programs had strict rules and regulations, and provided

participants with plenty of tools and support.

The programs were big successes, with many weight–

loss milestones recorded, Bond said. There was a docu-

mented 850 percent increase in physical endurance in the

contest participants at the end of the competitions.

Their heart rates were healthier as well, and they had

improved kidney function. Some of the participants now

compete in triathlons and other such events. And, they no

longer crave unhealthy food.

Participants competed as individuals or as part of a

team. The Great Weight–off was open to all Health First

employees, while the Slim–to–Win Challenge was for a

select number of associates, based on their Body Mass

Index.

“The goal of both competitions was to improve the

health and well–being of Health First associates, and

motivate them to continue their involvement in diet,

exercise, and behavior modification. Amazingly, the results

were much better than we had anticipated,” said Bond,

nutrition program coordinator for Pro–Health & Fitness

Center, with locations in Palm Bay, Melbourne, Viera, and

Merritt Island.

The Great Weight–off drew 408 Health First employees

at the initial weigh–in, with 134 of them, or almost 33

percent, finishing the program. Fifty–six people lost 7

percent of their body weight. The competitions were based

on total percentage of body weight lost.

Over the 12 weeks, the Great Weight–off “Pound–O–

Meter” registered some big numbers.

“Health First associates dropped 2,288 pounds in the

Great Weight–off alone,” said Bond. “That’s more than one

ton of weight loss. We made some ‘educated guesses’ at the

start of the program about what we expected in terms of

participation, retention, and weight loss. Actual results far

exceeded our expectations.”

Cruz, who is a surgical anesthesia technician with

Health First, won the Great Weight–off competition, losing

22.49 percent of his body weight and dropping 56 pounds

in the process. He weighed in at 249 pounds on opening

day of the contest.

“I followed a low–carb, low–calorie, no–fat diet to lose

the weight, along with treadmill work,” Cruz said. “I

moved my treadmill out of the garage and into my

bedroom. Five miles was always my goal on the treadmill.

I would get there some days and other days I would miss

the goal. But I stuck to it and never gave up.”

“To lose that kind of weight takes a serious commit-

ment and dedication,” added Bond, a University of Florida

bachelor’s graduate in health–science nutrition.

Cruz said he no longer takes blood–pressure medica-

tion, having brought his reading down to “112,” a remark-

able turnaround. High blood pressure can lead to coronary

disease, stroke, and kidney problems, physicians say.

When he first started the Great Weight–off program,

Cruz said he often weighed himself to check his progress.

“For the first two weeks, I would get on the scale every day,

sometimes two and three times a day, which made no

sense. So I got rid of the scale.”

The only mandatory weigh–ins were at the beginning

and the end of the Great Weight–off contest, said Bond.

“However, we offered some incentives for people to

weigh–in on a weekly basis. We put their name in a

drawing to win a $50 gift card. If they actually lost weight

that week, their name was entered twice in the drawing.

So we gave them an incentive to weigh–in and keep them

engaged in the program.”

Attending weekly educational sessions and logging onto

website forums presented Health First colleagues with the

opportunity to stay connected, Bond said.

“During the 12–week competition, the participants were

pretty much on their own, but they had resources available

to them that we put on a website, including two–minute

video clips recorded by Pro–Health & Fitness personal

trainers.”

The website, www.GreatWeightOff.org, received more

than 10,000 page views as Health First employees and

others closely followed the weight–loss standings of the

competitors that were posted and updated weekly. The

website attracted traffic from 21 countries.

The second competition, the Slim–to–Win Challenge,

was won by the 5–foot–4 Berry, who works in the hospital’s

mother/baby unit.

Bond said Health First associates were invited to apply

for the Slim–to–Win contest. The panel, comprised of

Health First executives, selected 16 people for the reality–

style challenge. Bond said in order to be considered for the

program, the individual’s Body Mass Index “had to be 35 or

above.”

BMI is a statistical measure that compares a person’s

weight and height. Though it does not actually measure

the percentage of body fat, it is used to estimate a healthy

body weight based on a person’s height. Because of its ease

of measurement and calculation, BMI is the most widely

used diagnostic tool to identify weight problems, Bond

said.

A BMI of 30 to 35 is considered obese by the National

Institutes of Health. Obesity is a serious, growing epidemic

cutting across all categories of race, ethnicity, family

income, and locale, according to the organization “A

Healthier America.”

The Slim–to–Win contest website provided a BMI

calculator, which gave individuals who entered their

height and weight an immediate BMI report.

Berry’s starting weight before the contest was 231.5

pounds. She lost 43.5 pounds, or 18.7 percent of her total

body weight.

“I really had to clean up my diet and I did a lot of

exercising on top of the training I did with a Pro–Health &

Fitness personal trainer. As I began to lose weight, I really

became more enthusiastic and worked harder and harder,”

Berry said.

Jill Wattenbarger, a Pro–Health & Fitness Center

personal trainer, was paired with Berry during the Slim–

to–Win Challenge.

“The contestants were required to workout five days a

week for at least one hour per session,” Wattenbarger said.

“With Brandy, we were doing cardio–vascular training,

circuit training, and other forms of exercising. The main

goal was to ‘shock the body.’ Throughout the program,

Brandy really went above and beyond. She would come to

my spinning classes, in addition to her regular workouts,

which typically involved two hours of exercising.”

Contestants had to attend health–education classes one

hour a week during the program at Pro Health & Fitness.

“They also had to submit themselves to be photographed at

the weekly weigh–ins, and they had to agree to have their

weight posted on the contest website for the whole world to

see,” Bond said. “They were under intense scrutiny

throughout the entire Slim–to–Win Challenge.”

Berry had to come from behind to win the Challenge

title. Carri Smith “shot out of the gate with a 15–pound

weight loss in the first week of competition and just blew

everybody away,” Bond said. “Carri led all the way through

week 11. On the final week of the competition, Brandy

pulled ahead for the win. It was very interesting to watch

as the data was updated on the website. Their scores were

very close.”

Berry’s 18.7 percent body–weight loss just topped

Smith’s 18.2 percent. Berry dropped 43.5 pounds versus

Smith’s 63 pounds.

Of the 16 Slim–to–Win competitors, 14 finished the

contest, Bond said. Together they lost 420 pounds, or 11.8

percent total body weight. One number really stands out:

“350 pounds total fat lost.”

Bond says Pro–Health & Fitness Centers in the region

use a three–part program to help individuals lose weight

— exercise, nutrition, and behavior modification.

“A lot of weight–management programs focus on diet or

exercise, or maybe both. Most of them do not address

behavior. We emphasize each leg of the ‘three–legged

stool,’ so to speak. The key is balance and that is what we

teach throughout the program at Pro–Health & Fitness.”

Both Berry and Cruz say they are committed to

maintaining their weight. “You have to develop a lifelong

healthy lifestyle. It just can’t be a 12–week program. This

program gave me the foundation to build on. Now, it’s up

to me to follow through on what have I learned from the

experience,” Berry said.

Good News WE HAVE THE BLUES!

We now accept BlueChoice (PPO), BlueCare (HMO), BlueOptions (NetworkBlue) and traditional

indemnity (PHS) plans. So, if you are covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, you’ll have the benefit

of being in-network at Parrish Medical Center or our affiliates including Parrish Healthcare Center

at Port St. John. That’s good news.

For more information about Parrish Medical Center, please visit www.parrishmed.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is accepted at Parrish Medical Center and our affiliates.

H E A L I N G E X P E R I E N C E S F O R E V E R Y O N E A L L T H E T I M E®

bbn brevard business news · convention in mobile, ala. the region covers mississippi, alabama,...

Documents