In Memoriam

A memorial service for Dr. Robert Tate will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. at Cape Coral Hospital in the Auxiliary Meeting Room. Chaplain Tom Brenner will officiate at the memorial service.

Dr. Tate was the first permanent doctor to practice in Cape Coral and he was instrumental in opening Cape Coral Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital. He began his medical practice in 1962 and continued it here for 47 years. He died Sunday, Nov. 15 at the age of 76. He is a Cape Coral pioneer. His wife, Abbie Tate, said "Being a doctor is what defined him. He like to help people."

Celebrating Life

Enid Vega, Payroll Representative, is the proud grandma of hernewest grandson, Josiah Alexis, born Oct. 26 at 9:49 p.m. weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces and 21 inches long. Enid's granddaughter, Amaya Lei, is the proud big sister. The proud parents are Enid's daughter, Taina, and son-in-law, Joel.

Josiah Alexis

From left: Joel, Josiah, Taina, Amaya, Santiago (Enid's husband) and Enid

 

Infection Free Celebration

The infection free celebration at GCMC took place in recognition of the teamwork that has led to this tremendous improvement in the safety of patient care.  Congratulations, team!

 

Vickie Lane, Wanda Heit and Genny White Walked For Cancer

Vickie Lane, who is Dr. CB Rebsamen’s assistant, Wanda Heit – Admin Secretary in Outpatient Center Administration and Genevieve (Genny) White Admin Secretary in HR Administration, walked 60 miles, yes sixty, this past weekend up in Tampa on the Breast Cancer three-day walk benefitting Susan B. Komen for the cure. We are all so proud of them! Vickie is on the left with the pink baseball cap.

 

Sue Cook And Dudley Bring Smiles To Patients At LMH

Sue Cook, who works at the Wellness Center of Cape Coral, and her 5 and a half pound Yorkie, Dudley, are really enjoying being in Therapy Dogs, Inc. They visit patients on Saturday or Sunday at LMH. Dudley is well-loved by the patients he visits.

 

Pearlessa Curr's Team Is No. 1

I just wanted to say congrats to my cheerleading team that I coach on a great job at cheer competition Sunday winning first place. The Cape Junior Dolphins will be headed to Orlando to compete at regionals Thanksgiving weekend. Great job girls! Love you, Coach Pearlessa!

Update On The New Puppy

Back by popular demand, Riley the 5 month old Wheaten Terrier, graduated from “Puppy School!” As you remember, she resides with Cathy Ryan, LPG Call Center Supervisor. Riley’s eight weeks of school taught her to sit, lay down, stay, leave it, and her personal trick “kisses.” She loves to tease, jump, play, and go for extended walks.

Graduation day

Riley made her first LPG office visit to see loyal fans, Linda and Catherine, who work for Drs. David and Saludo. She brought the ladies a Halloween treat prior to the start of office hours. Please wish Cathy good luck with Riley’s continued training! Stay tuned for updates as the months progress.

Riley's debut at LPG

Dale D’Antonio Is A Star

LMHS' very own Dale D’Antonio, PRN employee, along with her husband, Dominick, bowled in the first inaugural Wii bowling match at Gulf Coast Village Oct. 14. Their team from Grand Court played against Gulf Coast Village and Calusa Harbor. She’s on TV! Click here to see the clip.

Happy Anniversary!

On Oct. 17, Abel Ortiz and I will be celebrating our five-year anniversary. We also will be celebrating our anniversary on the cruise line NCL going to the Bahamas on Nov. 20. Congrats Baby. Love you, Eneida Pellot

Abel Ortiz

Congratulations To Rebecca Brestel And Josette Alarcon

Rebecca Brestel, RN, BSN, and Josette Alarcon, RN, BSN, of Gulf Coast Medical Center have successfully completed the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) exam. Both nurses had to meet strict eligibility requirements prior to sitting for the extremely challenging CRNI exam. Rebecca and Josette are vital members of the GCMC Vascular Access Nursing team who have repeatedly demonstrated a commitment, dedication and desire to provide high quality care to the patients of LMHS.

Cindi Von Ohlsen Is A Mom

We would like to welcome Oliver Ian into our family. Born to Cindi Von Ohlsen (and dad-Josh) on Sept 30 at 4:20 a.m., 8.5 pounds and 21 inches long. Cindi works at Lee Radiology at Health Park Commons Outpatient Center and the proud grandmother is Jeanne Von Ohlsen who is with LPG- Associates in Internal Medicine.

Amy Campbell Passed The State Boards

Amy Campbell, LPN at HPCC, just passed her state boards and is now Amy Campbell, RN! Congratulations! Amy is proof that you can do anything you put your mind to! She fulfilled her dream of becomming an RN all while being a single mother raising three kids, working full time, and never giving up! What an example she has set for her kids!! Way to go, Amy!

Kudos To Rosalie Markus

Rosalie Markus, E. Douglas Beach--Secretary Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and Gail Abraham.

Rosalie Markus recently graduated from Nova’s BSN program with the highest honors. She is pictured above at the  Aug. 24 Florida Conference on Aging at St. Pete Beach, Trade Winds Island Resort Hotel. The presentation was a huge success. Rosalie is a case manager at GCMC.

Amanda Swann Graduated

Amanda Swann from LCC Page Field recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health Administration from Hodges University. Amanda will continue on to the master's program at Hodges. Everyone at LCC just wanted to say how proud of her they are!

Keith And Del Murray Are Grandparents

Keith Murray, Plant Ops at LMH, and Del Murray, Business Office at CCH, became grandparents to Trystin David Burtanger on July 21 at 4:55 p.m. Trystin was born at the CCH Birthday Suites. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 4.6 ounces, 21 inches long and is the apple in his grandparents' eye. His parents are Krystal Murray and Austin Burtanger. The whole family is very proud of him.

Suzanne Bowman Is A Grandma

Suzanne Bowman, GCMC's Staffing Coordinator, is a very proud Grandma! Kira Leann King was born July 22, 2009 to Suzanne's daughter Katie and husband Joe. Kira recently had her first celebrated event. Dee Gay officiated Kira's Dedication/Christening. Send Suzanne your best wishes the next time you see her. She certainly has sweet stories to share. To little Kira, welcome to the world.

Pictured above: Kate showing off Kira to her Aunt Nancy

Pictured above: Kate, Joe, Kira and Dee

Nicole Foster Is A Mom

Nicole Foster, CSR at LCC Page Field, and her husband, Kevin, are the proud parents of Brandon Courtney William Foster. He was born Aug. 7 at 9:28 p.m. weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 inches long. Brandon has two proud big sisters, Arianna and Desi. Congratulations to Nicole and Kevin!

 

Virginia Alverson's Daughter Is Graduating

Virginia Alverson of GCMC and her husband, Michael, are very proud to announce that their daughter, Lisa Marie Alverson, is graduating from the University of Central Florida in Orlando Aug. 8 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Psychology and Legal Studies. Lisa has been consistently on the Dean's List throughout college and completed a very productive internship in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2008. She currently works for Congressman Alan Grayson of the 8th District of Florida (based in Orlando).

Nicki Cabaj Is Engaged

Nicki Cabaj, an employee at the Foundation, recently got engaged for her 25th birthday! Nicki and her fiancé Brandon are planning a June 11, 2011 wedding in Wisconsin.

Lilliana Negron Graduated

Lilliana Negron, an employee at LCC Page Field, just passed her NCLEX and graduated from the Nursing program at Edison State College!

Happy Anniversary

I wanted to take the opportunity to wish my husband, William Shaw, and myself a happy five-year anniversary on Aug. 3, 2009. I love you "my Huggy Bear." Your wife...Ibis Shaw.

In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that cardiac medicine/ angioplasty at GCMC shares with you that Marjorie Hefke, RN, passed away July 21. Margie has been employed at LMHS for 29 years. She spent her entire career working in the cardiac medicine/ angioplasty department. Margie will always be remembered for the loving, caring, supportive role in not only the lives of her patients and families, but also in our lives. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family in this difficult time.

Nikki Stewart Pinkney Is A Grandmother

Nikki Stewart Pinkney, Human Resources, Work Compensation, is now a grandmother to little Courtney Ja'Roy Williams Jr. He was born 6 pounds, 3 ounces on July 1 at 9:02 a.m. at CCH. Nikki's oldest son, Courtney, is the proud father. Also pictured with Little Courtney is Nikki's youngest son, RJ who's 8 years old.

Vickie Hettenbaugh's Son Is A Champion

Vickie Hettenbaugh's son, Jason won two bronze and one silver medal at the 2009 Summer Biathlon National Championships. He also qualified for the World Summer Biathlon, which takes place in Germany in September!

Rosa Montanez Is Now Rosa Eissler

Rosa Eissler, HR Assistant, married George Eissler on June 24. Her co-worker's husband, Pastor Richard Blue, performed the ceremony at Grace Bible Church and Penny Blue had a small reception for the happy couple following the ceremony. In attendance were Rosa's and George's immediate family and friends.

Nealy DeBow Graduated

Nealy DeBow graduated June 20 from Southwest Florida College with an Associates in Science for Surgical Technician degree at Harborside Convention Center with honors-- 3.6 GPA. Nealy completed an externship at GCMC while working a full time job at Lee Memorial Hospital. Nealy is also completeing another Associates in Science for Medical Assistant degree, is currently in an externship at Lee Physician Group at the Sanctuary and will graduate next June.

Happy Birthday!

Lissette Viltre, Human Resources Administrative Specialist, celebrated her birthday July 6. Her department had cake for her. Happy birthday, Lissette!

Toni Wengel Earned Her MBA

Toni Wengel, HR Admin/Rewards and Recognition Specialist, earned a master's degree in business administration in June from the University of Phoenix. It took her approximately two years of hard work doing all her classes online in her “spare” time.

The Happy Couple
Denise, a Labor and Delivery nurse at Gulf Coast Medical Center, was married to Steve, a Fort Myers police officer, on June 1. The couple married in Jamaica at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Resort with family and friends at their side. The couple also honeymooned there.

In Memoriam

Donna Page was an excellent employee, working where needed in Food and Nutrition Services at HPMC, HP Commons, LMH and GCMC during the move. She also worked as a sitter on her days off. She was very creative and cost-conscious. Her coworkers say she was a real joy to work with. Donna is truly missed.

Alyson Nalewaik's Daughter Is Outstanding

Alyson is a Staffing Resources IS Analyst. Her daughter, Taylor, received the Girl Scout Bronze Award in May. This is the highest award that a Junior Girl Scout can receive. To earn this award, Taylor worked on a 15-hour project that included baking homemade dog and cat treats and making pet bandanas. She delivered them to local animal shelters to help bring some happiness and love to abandoned animals. Taylor has been in Girl Scouts for six years and next year plans to start working on the Silver Award, which is the highest award that a Cadette Girl Scout can earn.

Taylor "graduated" June 4 from Sunshine Elementary School and during the ceremony was surprised with a $250 college scholarship from the Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres! The scholarship awards one girl and boy from the school for their outstanding community service and academic excellence. Throughout middle and high school, she has the opportunity to increase that scholarship to $2,000 by continuing with her love of giving back to the community. What an honor for an 11-year-old!

It's A Boy For Renee Johnson!

Renee Johnson is the proud mother of Irell Patrick Dale. Irell weighed eight pounds, nine-ounces and was 20 inches long. Renee is a CNA in General Medicine at GCMC.

Pat Dolce Is The Proud Parent Of A Triathlete!

Pat's daughter, Ali, recently competed for the first time in the Ironclad Triathlon held at the Webb Institute in Glen Cove, Long Island. Not only did Ali swim a half mile, bike 13.5 miles and then run 3.5 miles, she did it in under two hours!

Pictured below is Ali in the pink shirt.

 

Did a coworker recently get married or have a baby? Would you like to celebrate the life of a family member who recently passed?

Tell us what's happening in your life. E-mail your milestones to LeeBee@LeeMemorial.org