Happy Retirement, Barbara!

Barbara Carew, RN, a critical care registered nurse in the Lee Memorial Hospital operating room, is retiring after 36 years with the hospital. Her last day is Jan. 27. She writes, "From 3N to Cox I to the O.R. (for 32 years), I will miss all my friend 'lees'. Please keep in touch on facebook, or email as I would like to keep up on families, and friends as they grow!" For Barbara's email address or new mailing address, contact her supervisor, charge nurse,  Bonnie Cannedy at 343-2496.

 

High School Wrestling Champion

Angelica Rivera would like to congratulate her oldest son, big brother Miguel Rivera, for competing at Dixie Nationals in Atlanta on Jan. 29 and winning the championship for the High School division at 145 pounds, representing and making the state of Florida No. 1. Miguel is currently a Varsity Wrestler and Senior at Riverdale High School.

 

Welcoming Another Grandchild

Monique, the daugher of Nadja Cruz, Outpatient Center at Riverwalk customer service representative, delivered Nadja's first grandson, named Koda, at 3:18 p.m. on Dec. 9 at HealthPark Medical Center.

 

Double Wedding Ceremony

Kim Gaide, Lee Physician Group ambulatory operations manager, performed a double wedding ceremony this past Saturday. She married Lorna Johnson, RN, Pediatric Endocrinology clinical supervisor, and Phillip Weaver as well as and David and Caroloyn Kerns of Lehigh Acres.

 

Congratulations, Ken Shoriak!

Ken Shoriak, Lee Memorial Health System Foundation system director of foundation operations, has received national recertification for three years as a certified fundraising executive (CFRE), the fundraising profession’s predominate credentialing mechanism. Individuals granted the credential have met a set of standards including education, fundraising achievement and a commitment to not-for-profit service. Outstanding job, Ken!

 

Mixed Bowling League

The 2011 Lee Memorial Health System Mixed Bowling League winners are "THE HOPELEE'S." Pictured above (left to right) are Pam Butts (from Santa Business Office); Roger Butts (from Hope Hospice); Jane Davis (from Hope Hospice); Chris Portman (from Cape Coral Hospital Central Insurance Verification).

Not pictured:

2nd Place: Alley Oops

Cathy Adorno (from Cape Coral Hospital - Business & Strategic Services); Pablo Adorno; Ludie Adorno; and Ronda Layson.

3rd Place: The Bowling Stones

John Campbell (Lee Memorial Hospital Respiratory); Sue Denton (Lee Memorial Hospital Radiology); Nayda Agosto (Lee Memorial Hospital Respiratory); Greg Agosto

We had a great season and thank Staff Activities for sponsoring.

 

Memorial for Ronda Hastreiter

The memorial for Ronda Hastreiter will take place in the Lee Memorial Hospital auditorium at 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19. If you have any questions, please contact the Infusion Center at 343-2224. All are welcome.

 

Oh, The Places You'll Go

Beth Kilgore, an administrative secretary for ambulatory services administration at Med Plaza One, recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor's degree in health care administration.

Her co-workers surprised her last week with a celebration in her honor. Congratulations, Beth!

 

Rest In Peace, Ola

Olayinka Olutokunbo Akingbade, 52, was granted her wings and placed among the angels in heaven on the evening of July 22, 2011.

“Ola” was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She followed her eldest sister Abosede Thomas to New York City in the ‘70s to pursue further education and better quality of life in the U.S. After earning her bachelor’s degree from CUNY, she went on to work as a microbiologist at New York University Medical Center.

Ola and her two boys moved to Cape Coral in 2001 for a fresh start. There she continued her career as a lab technician at Cape Coral Hospital. Besides her career she invested innumerable amounts of time at various churches – most recently at Vineyard Community Church.
In 2009, Ola started a youth community program called the Lighthouse which she used to organize events where teens could have fun, stay out of trouble and worship God.
She was a beacon of light and joy wherever she went, and with whomever she encountered. Her faith was so undeniable and contagious that in her presence you always felt the spirit of God.

Olayinka is survived by her two sons Adeshola “Ad.” Adigun and Adebola “Malike” Adigun, her sisters and brothers Abosede “Big Mommy,” Yemisi, Abiodun, Oluremi, and Olaniyi. As well as her nieces and nephews Kemi, Bimbo, Omolara, Busayo, Femi. Jr., Niyi, Tobi, Tola, Wale, Olumide, Taiwo, Kehinde, Oyinlola and Jide. Other family members and friends will also always remember her.

Her wake is on 8/1/11 at Vineyard Community Church, 923 SE 47th Terrace from 4pm – 8pm. The funeral will be on 8/2/11 at the same church at 11:00 am. She will be buried at Coral Ridge Cemetery and Funeral Parlor off of Chiquita and Pine Island.

 

A Fit Family

Jacki Osborne (left), an Epic principal trainer, competed in the 25th Annual Naples Fitness Challenge Triathlon on June 5, finishing 12th place over all in her division with a time of 1:28:10. The event was a 5K run, 15K Bike and a ¼-mile open water swim. Training for such an event proved to be difficult with a full schedule for training staff in the business office for Gulf Coast Medical Center Epic go-live. This was her fifth triathlon to date, and she plans to complete again in July in Englewood.

Below is Jacki's daughter, 15-year-old Morgan, who competed in the Special Olympics States Games in Orlando this past May. She won a gold medal in the 1K time trial event for cycling and finished in 4th place in the 5K time trial cycling event. This was her third year making it to the state games in cycling. Jacki recently became a certified cycling coach with Special Olympics and coached her Morgan and two other athletes from January through mid-May.

Welcome Aubree Madison

Lindsay McCloskey, Organizational Effectiveness data specialist II, and her husband Richard McCloskey welcomed Aubree Madison into the world on Oct. 20, 2010. Aubree was 6lbs 14 1/2 oz and 19 1/2 inches at birth. Aubree has been a perfect baby since birth and has continued to fill their life with such joy!

Celebration of Life for Erik Downes

A Celebration of Life Service for Erik Downes, son of Lee Memorial Health System employee Myrna Lintner and nephew of Lee Memorial Health System employee Colleen Maynard Robinson, will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 23 at Fort Myers Shores Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 14830 Palm Beach Blvd. The family welcomes those who wish to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Erik Downes Memorial Scholarship Fund

C/O Peter A. Rooney
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Oglethorpe University
4484 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30319

Donations also may be made to Canterbury School in Erik's name. A financiaaid fund is being established to benefit a needy student.

Send donations to:

Canterbury School
8141 College Pkwy
Fort Myers, FL 33919

Erik, an Oglethorpe University student from Cape Coral, graduated from Canterbury School in 2008. He was in Costa Rica with other university students and faculty as part of an ecotourism study-abroad trip.

Downes was a pre-med major and vice president of the university in Atlanta.

 

Introducing Melinda Sue Martinez

Katy Martinez, Lee Memorial Health System Foundation development associate, and her husband welcomed Melinda Sue (Mely) Martinez on Sept. 6, 2010. Mely was born 8 pounds and 21 inches.

 

Twin Brothers Ranked No. 1 and 2 in Country

On Nov. 20, twin brothers Justin and Christopher Rivera, both 9 and sons of IS Specialist Angelica Rivera, competed in the Middle & Elementary National Folkstyle Wrestling tournament at the ESPN Complex in Orlando. Christopher (center) placed first and Justin Rivera (to his right) placed second. Yes, Justin dyed his hair to avoid confusion during the tournament.

They wrestle for Riverdale Youth Wrestling Club, and on this day, they had the opportunity to wrestle and defeat talented wrestlers from different states and placing Florida as No. 1 in their weight division. They are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country as U.S. Future Olympians.

 

Graphic Designer Completes Adventure Run

Doug Cook, Marketing and Communications Graphic Services senior project manager, crosses the finish line at the First Annual Rookery Bay Adventure Race in Naples. Nearly 65 participants rowed through a 3K kayak race on Henderson Creek and followed it up with a 4K run on the nature trail at Rookery Bay Environmental Center on Saturday with all proceeds going to the Friends of Rookery Bay.

 

Introducing Tyler Rae

On Nov. 12, Tyler Rae (T-Rae to Mimi) came into the world weighing a whopping 6 pounds and standing--well, laying--19 1/4 inches long. She is Karen Koger's seventh grandchild, born to her daughter, Elizabeth. Mom, Dad and baby doing well thanks to the Cape Coral Hospital OB staff and Dr. Eligeti. Their attention to detail and pure professionalism gave the family a truly blessed event! Karen is the office coordinator for Lee Memorial Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center emergency physicians.

Student Ambassador to Study Abroad

Taylor Nalewaik, daughter of Alyson Nalewaik, staffing resources IS analyst, recently was picked to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador program. This opportunity will allow her to travel to Europe for 20 days this summer to study abroad and represent the United States and Southwest Florida as a Student Ambassador. Taylor is 12 years old and is in seventh grade at Varsity Lakes Middle School in Lehigh Acres, and is working very hard to raise the tuition. Her family is so proud of her and is grateful that she has been given this incredible opportunity!

International Gold Winners

A father and son team sporting the gold they won at the International Martial Arts Festival at Walt Disney World.

Nicholas Jusino and his father, Santos Jusino, Jr., Gulf Coast Medical Center housekeeping manager, took the gold medal in the Ju-Jitsu self-defenses division. Nicholas went on to take silver in sport Ju-Jitsu and silver in Gi- Grappling.

 

An Angel was Born

Joy Olivia Youngblood was born on June 26, 2010. Her proud parents are Philip and Carrie Youngblood. Carrie works in the Business Development and Contracting department. Congratulations, Philip and Carrie!

 

It's A Girl For Josette Solieri

We would like to welcome into the world Alexa Isabel Solieri! Alexa was born on May 21 , 2010, to Josette and Tom Solieri. Josette works for Lee Convenient Care and went into labor while on duty! Welcome to the world beautiful little girl. From the LCC- Page Field team!

 

Wendy Castañeda Graduated

Graduation date June 6, 2010, I would like to take a moment to congratulate Wendy Castañeda on her master's degree. It has been a long journey for her, but she's finally made it and I am very proud of her. I wish you the very best of luck! Ibis Shaw

 

Baby Shower At GCMC

Jennifer Jackson, RN, and Erika Perez, HUC, both from GCMC-Orthopedics unit, were recently given a joint baby shower by the Ortho staff. Joanne Calhoun (middle), PA for Orthopedic Surgery Associates, joined the fun. Congratulations to both Jennifer and Erika!

 

Hope And Life At The Regional Cancer Center

On the fourth-floor awning/overhang at the Regional Cancer Center, a beautiful red shouldered mama hawk delivered her babies on April 7 and April 8.
We are privileged to be able to view the process from our fourth-floor staff lounge with our binoculars and camera. They will be staying in the nest (according to Internet) for approximately six weeks before attempting flight and will be here through about 16 weeks before they permanently leave.

 

Sherry Tidroski's New Name

Sherry Tidroski's new name is Sherry Tidroski Ludwig. Sherry and her husband, Shane, and her son Kevin, currently reside in Cape Coral. Sherry is a Certified Diabetes Educator with the Lee Health Solutions Department and has been employed by LMHS for 22 years. Shane is a veterinarian currently working at Chiquita Animal Hospital in Cape Coral. Congratulations, Ludwigs!

 

Santos Jusino's Son Won A Gold Medal

Santos Jusino, and his son, Nicholas, (pictured on the far left) went to Niagara Falls, New York, in June of 09 for the U.S. Ju-jitsu National Championship. Santos is proud to say his son came home with a gold medal and with four other competitors from his school also came home with the gold medal. The five students all qualify for the 2013 world games in Greece, which is one step away from the Olympics. Santos is the manager of the Housekeeping department at GCMC.

Congratulations to Doug Cook, Pat Dolce, Jim Whitacre and Wendi Piasik

Doug Cook, Pat Dolce, Jim Whitacre and Wendi Piasik all participated in the Tour de Cape 2010 on Jan. 16 and 17. Pat placed third in her age group, and Wendi placed fourth in her age group. Way to go!

 

Jacquelyn Rouke-Hill's Daughters Graduated

Jacqui Rouke-Hill has two daughters. Her youngest daughter, Heather Rouke (pictured below), graduated Dec. 19 from UCF with a bachelor's degree in radio-television, jounalism, generalist.

Jacuqui's oldest daughter, Autumn Rouke (pictured below), came home from her fifth tour Afganistan in time for the graduation. She is in the Airforce and will be deployed again in March 2010.

Jacqui works in the CBO office at Santa Barbara.

Trish Giddens Is A Grandmother

Trish Giddens welcomed her third grandson, Rowan Edward Leiba, to the world Aug. 15. Trish is a Marketing Specialist in the Marketing department.

Rowan with his brothers, Peyton and Vincent

 

A Visit From Santa

Santa visited HealthPark Care and Rehabilitation.

 

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.