Coastal Breeze News

By Randall Kenneth Jones For those Marco residents who happened to look skyward on the afternoon of Saturday, February 23rd, the highly unique image of ten Elvis impersonators descending upon Marco may now be permanently etched in their memory. After all, Marco is no stranger to magnificent events but Physicians Regional Healthcare System has likely raised the bar on “grand” with their spectacular celebration to mark the Grand Opening of the new Physicians Regional-Marco Island. For Marco residents, this occasion may have also slightly redefined an oft-quoted pop-culture axiom. Where Elvis may have once “left the building;” on Marco Island ... Read More »

Submitted Marco Island is on the verge of exciting new health care options and Physicians Regional Healthcare System has a positively great Grand Opening planned to commemorate its arrival. The “Rockin’ Grand Opening,” will take place on Saturday, February 23rd, from 2 PM to 5 PM in the parking lot of The Shops of Marco, 1839 San Marco Road—corner of Barfield and San Marco Road on Marco Island. The excitement and activities of Physicians Regional-Marco Island’s “Rockin’ Grand Opening” are not limited to the ground. The abundant festivities include an aerial show performed by The Flying Elvi, the 10-member sky ... Read More »

IBERIABANK, a 125-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, and Physicians Regional Healthcare System will kick-off the 2013 Health Plus Lecture Series with a topic that many people are focusing on as they aim to carry out their New Year’s resolutions. Dr. Richard Gelb, a cardiovascular specialist, will discuss ways to maintain a healthy heart to prevent heart attacks. The lecture is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2013 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marco Island branch of IBERIABANK at 605 Bald Eagle Drive. Dr. Gelb is licensed in Nuclear Cardiology and is board certified in Cardiovascular Medicine, Interventional Cardiology and Internal Medicine. His ... Read More »

This January, Shakespeare in Paradise will present The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare at the Collier County Library on Central Avenue in Naples. The production is being sponsored by Physicians Regional Healthcare System. Set in present day in “a conservative, affluent beach community somewhere in the tropics,” this Shrew sets out to further prove Shakespeare’s ability to force audiences to examine their own lives and lifestyles through his timeless plays. All scenes are played in bars, on various lanais and beaches, and in a specialty shop. Even the homes referenced are rechristened “Royal Port Estate” and “Coral Cape ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH Dr. Michelle Becker The American Academy of Family Physicians defines Family Medicine as “the medical specialty which provides continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and family. It is a specialty in breadth that integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes, each organ system, and every disease entity.” More simply, your Family Medicine physician is there to promote overall health and advocate all-encompassing well-being for people of all ages. But Family Medicine is much more. Treating families, sometimes four generations at a time–from the newborn baby to great ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH  C. Scott Campbell  [email protected] he holiday season represents a renewed sense of personal reflection to many and a focus on joy and celebration to even more. A time when the media and public consciousness seems to center on the “joy” of the season as each of us finds ourselves emotionally moved by demonstrations of care and compassion— on television, at home, and in our communities. “Joy” seems to be everywhere. Though the concept of joy takes on a profoundly impactful meaning this time of year, the joy of serving the patient population is our very purpose at Physicians ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff   Marco Island’s Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 35th Anniversary and the beginning of the Christmas Season on December 2nd at Bistro Soleil in Old Marco. 184 celebrants, including most living past chamber presidents, enjoyed soft breezes on the terrace while sipping cocktails and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres. It resembled a school reunion as old friends had a chance to mingle outside of daily chores and occupations. Scott Campbell, CEO of Physicians Regional Healthcare System, led off the pre-dinner proceedings as the Jade Sponsor of the event. He spoke glowingly of Marco Island, the Chamber, ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH C. Scott Campbell [email protected]  Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, I had a front row seat as my father, Reverend Carl L. Campbell of the Ray of Hope Church, answered his calling and dedicated his life to caring for others. My father held this extraordinary position for 42 years. In the 31 years I have spent in health care—an industry inextricably linked to the concept of caring—I have come across countless people who say their choice of a health care career was based on a mission to help others. Yes, a calling to touch lives. Understandably, giving thanks and ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH C. Scott Campbell  [email protected] Our people—physicians and staff—drive organizational performance. This is the reality for all health care organizations who provide services 24/7, 365 days a year. At Physicians Regional-Collier Boulevard, performance at our hospital begins and ends with our people—our Associates in conjunction with our medical staff. Consider this, day in and day out it is “people” who take care of patients, administer medications, perform life enhancing and lifesaving procedures, complete examinations and tests, respond to codes and deliver compassionate care to patients and their families. At Physicians Regional, we are committed to delivering the absolute best ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  Forging a new path in the Naples/Marco Island, Everglades City area is Rashmi Sharma, M.D. She is an Endovascular/ Vascular Surgeon, the only female vascular surgeon in the area. Dr. Sharma joined Physicians Regional Medical Group and moved to this area in April. “I am a beach lover, and had vacationed here. I fell in love with the lifestyle of the area. The restaurants, the shops and of course, the beach,” said Dr. Sharma. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Moorhead University in Minnesota, she received medical school degrees at the University of North Dakota. ... Read More »

IBERIABANK in partnership with Physicians Regional Healthcare System, will host a Health Plus Lecture focused on “Aging with Grace” on Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marco Island branch of IBERIABANK at 605 Bald Eagle Drive. Carlos Portu, M.D. will discuss simple, everyday changes people can make to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle as they age. Dr. Portu is board certified in Internal Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and a member of the American Medical Association and Society of Hospital Medicine. His special interests include multidisciplinary primary care, including integrated diabetes management. This free lecture is open ... Read More »

By Randall Kenneth Jones Though many in Collier County may have already found their way into the beautiful Clive Daniel Home showroom in Naples, chances are their previous visits did not include joining hundreds of their friends and neighbors for DJ music, prizes, giveaways, refreshments, and yes, complimentary health screenings. However, on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 6 to 9 PM, Clive Daniel Home will be transformed into the ultimate celebration of health when Physicians Regional Healthcare System (PRHS) takes over all the stunning sofas, dining tables, and patio furniture to host their first-ever “Pink Party” in recognition of Breast ... Read More »

Some parents bring a newborn into their bed with them because they are unable to afford a crib, causing a potentially life-threatening scenario. While many other parents simply believe it is just a natural loving thing to sleep with their baby, and are unaware of the dangers of co-sleeping, until it’s too late. “The only way to put a baby to sleep safely is alone, on his or her back, and in a crib or bassinet,” said Dr. Debra Shepard, Community Pediatrician and NCH Pediatrics Department Vice Chair. “It’s so important for people to be aware of the dangers of sharing a ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH C. Scott Campbell [email protected] At Physicians Regional Healthcare System, we are serious about Getting2Great for the people we serve. Getting2Great (G2G) refers to a very important company-wide cultural transformation effort to fulfill our mission of providing the best possible local health care. A critical component of G2G is taking the time to listen to our patients about issues important to them—and, most importantly, acting on the feedback so generously provided. At present, we “listen” in a variety of ways: patient satisfaction surveys, patient rounding, and patient interviews. The patient survey process is coordinated through Press Ganey, the ... Read More »

TO YOUR HEALTH  C. Scott Campbell  [email protected]    With this column, I continue the discussion on the “Getting 2 Great” cultural transformation effort at Physicians Regional Healthcare System. In brief, Getting 2 Great is our framework for achieving excellence in people, service, quality, innovation, finance, and growth. Perhaps most important, Getting 2 Great is our compass for delivering exceptional patient-centered care. At Physicians Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard, we are very proud to have one of the top-rated Emergency Departments in the nation according to Press Ganey, our industry’s recognized leader in health care performance improvement. Furthermore, Press Ganey has placed Physicians ... Read More »

IBERIABANK’s next installment of the Heath “PLUS” Lecture Series will be held on July 24th. The interaction between nutrition and medications will be the topic thoroughly covered by Dr. Mark Liberman, M.D and General Surgeon with Physicians Regional Healthcare System, partner for this important medical series. As we take more medications, we run an increased risk of harmful drug interactions and a greater risk of nutritional deficiencies that result when medications interact with certain foods. At our ages, the results of that can be devastating. Some of the most familiar medications that treat blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn, pain ... Read More »

For an event that should be very uplifting for everyone, Marco’s  annual July 4th fireworks display has been the cause for that ‘feeling of dread’ (Angst) as our city fathers annually struggle to find the funds necessary to help celebrate one of the most patriotic holidays of the year. Sure there are other ways to party on that day but how better to finish a day long celebration than with an inspirational fireworks display. At a City Council meeting a few months ago, funding this year’s fireworks made its annual appearance on the agenda amid moans and groans about how ... Read More »

By C. Scott Campbell Physicians Regional Healthcare System has the honor to actively support programs that facilitate the sustainability of our economic development. Though we collectively depend on those who visit each year, it is the permanent residents who ultimately share the responsibility to keep our community relevant for year-round and seasonal residents. With the close proximity of our Collier Boulevard Hospital to Marco, Goodland, Isles of Capri, and vicinity, I have had the opportunity to better understand the medical needs of these communities. As recently reported, we are proud to announce the formal extension of our medical services onto ... Read More »

Physicians Regional Healthcare System (PRHS) has redesigned and remodeled its Walden Medical Center in Bonita Springs, Fla., and will expand Primary and Specialty Care services there in 2012. The 22,000 square-foot medical facility — known as Bonita II — has a redesigned 10,000 square-foot first floor that features new medical suites, procedure rooms and common areas. A 3,000 square-foot Imaging Suite offers high-quality diagnostic imaging.  PRHS installed a Siemens 1.5 MRI and a new Siemens digital x-ray system was installed. The site has added new MRI and x-ray staff with 45 years of combined diagnostic imaging experience. The diagnostic imaging cases at Bonita II are ... Read More »

IBERIABANK (www.iberiabank.com), a 125-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, has partnered with Physicians Regional Healthcare System to host a Health Plus Lecture aimed at addressing painful heartburn and reflux issues. General and Bariatric Surgeon, Thomas Bass, M.D., will discuss an incisionless surgery option for severe heartburn on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marco Island branch of IBERIABANK at 605 Bald Eagle Drive. Dr. Bass is fellowship trained in laparoscopic surgery and uses the latest minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. His lecture will focus on daily heartburn and other symptoms of reflux such as regurgitation, chronic cough, hoarseness and chest discomfort. ... Read More »