Blue Cross Blue Shield plan donates $50,000 to Operation Helping Hands, offers free 24/7 bilingual emotional support helpline 
 
June 26, 2021 – Florida Blue, the local Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, is offering additional support to the residents of Surfside and the entire South Florida community following Thursday’s tragic building collapse. 
 
The Florida Blue Foundation has contributed $50,000 to Operation Helping Hands, a response and relief fund activated by United Way of Miami-Dade and the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald. The funds will provide support and assistance to affected families with their short- and long-term needs created by the unexpected tragedy. 
 
“The Surfside community suffered an unimaginable tragedy on Thursday. As search and rescue efforts continue, our hearts go out to all of those impacted as they grapple with uncertainty and grief,” said Florida Blue President & CEO Pat Geraghty. “The impact of this tragedy has rippled across the South Florida community, and our Florida Blue family is here to offer support, counseling and resources to help during this difficult time.” 
 
Immediately following Thursday morning’s events, Florida Blue, in partnership with New Directions Behavioral Health, also activated its free emotional support helpline for all South Florida residents. The bilingual helpline is open 24-hours a day to all Floridians at no cost and will connect callers with specially trained behavioral health counselors who can assist anyone experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, trauma and grief and in need of immediate support.
 
24-Hour Toll-Free Helpline
Free Bilingual Emotional Support
833-848-1762
 
Licensed clinicians are available to speak with all Floridians in both English and Spanish, free of charge, including those who do not have insurance or have coverage with another health plan. Florida Blue will keep the helpline available as long as needed.
 
Florida Blue Centers across South Florida are also staffed by community specialists who can provide additional support to members of the community impacted by Thursday’s building collapse such as helping identify ongoing emotional support options, resources to assist with house and transportation and other social support needs.  Virtual support is available by calling the North Miami center at (786) 541-0602 or find a nearby Florida Blue Center at FloridaBlue.com.  
 
 
About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve more than 28 million people in 45 states. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
 


 JUNE 25, 2021 – United HomeCare® (UHC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) home and community-based charitable organization is proud to announce the appointment of José Keichi Fuentes as its Chairman of the Board of Directors and the addition of four new members to the board of directors.    

 
José Keichi Fuentes was elected Chairman for UHC. This is Jose’s second time serving as Chairman.  Mr. Fuentes serves as the Senior Government Relations Consultant for Becker & Poliakoff.  He has extensive experience in government and in the political arena as a government relations professional at the highest level of local, county, and the state having contributed to the passage of numerous pieces of legislation. Mr. Fuentes has twice served as an appointee for former Governor Rick Scott to the Board of Trustees of Miami-Dade College and has received numerous honors including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations Award, the Diabetes Association “Valor Award,” the South Florida Hispanic Chamber Public Official of the Year Award and has been featured on numerous occasions in The Miami Herald for his devotion to community service and pride in his Cuban/Japanese heritage. Mr. Fuentes has served on the Board of United HomeCare for more than twenty-two years and hugely contributed to the organization’s success. “I am honored to serve as Chairman of United HomeCare and delighted to welcome our new board members, whose contributions will certainly be significant toward achieving our strategic initiatives,” said Mr. Fuentes.   
 
Dr. Rudolph Moise DO MBA JD is the President and CEO of Comprehensive Health Center, LLC a large primary health care practice with centers in Dade and Central Florida. He practices family medicine and pain management and is also the CEO of the Physician Access Urgent Care Group (PAUC) which manages 50 medical practices in South and Central Florida. He has received numerous awards from several organizations around the country and retired from the Air Force Reserve after 21 years of honorable service as Colonel and Flight Surgeon.  
 
Maria G. Lamas MBA is an accomplished business professional and philanthropist. She is a member of the UM School of Nursing and Health Studies’ Visiting Committee, panel participant and guest lecturer in integrative health care and distinguished former University of Miami alumni trustee.  
 
Dr. Maria De Los Santos Ph.D. is Clinical Assistant Professor of the Undergraduate Nursing Department in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, at Florida International University and is a member of the Dean’s Faculty Practice Advisory Committee, Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami-Dade, and Secretary for the Faculty Assembly. 
 
Kathelyn “Kathy” Zimmerer CPA is a Partner with Zimmerer & Zimmerer CPAs PA offering financial accounting and legal services to meet the needs of large, small medium, micro and independent companies focusing on personalized attention in the U.S. and internationally.  She has worked in the accounting field for more than 17 years and held positions as chief accounting officer, manager, and auditor. 
 
“All board members of the United HomeCare Board of Directors are altruistic and giving individuals who serve as volunteers and are committed to our non-profit mission serving our community’s neediest individuals and truly making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable older adults and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are not forgotten,” said Mr. Fuentes. 
 
The newly appointed board members join the following current members: 
 
Michelle Barton-King, Esq., Vice Chair, Partner with Boyd Richards Parker Colonnelli; Michael Salem, Secretary and President of Steps in the Right Direction; Pablo J. Pino, Treasurer, and Market President of TD Bank South Florida; Maria E. Gomez, retired Senior Director of Customer Experience at Florida Power & Light/NextEra Energy who opened The FPL Customer Care Center at Florida International University; Joaquin “Jack” Leon, retired senior attorney and registered agent of FPL Group and its subsidiaries for Florida Power & Light/NextEra Energy; and Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt MD, world renown cardiologist and cardiovascular researcher, Dean Emeritus of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, and Chief Medical Officer of Lennar Corporation. 
 
“We are honored to have such an outstanding caliber of professionals on our board of directors, led by Mr. Fuentes, and joined by our new board members,” said Carlos L. Martinez, President and CEO of United HomeCare in Miami. 
 
“It is still true today that to have quality of life in our later years, often requires a helping hand, frequently more than family members can provide physically or financially. Home and community-based services are a safety net for our community’s older adults. The Pandemic has shown us that there’s just no place like home for elder care, and our board members understand the importance of ‘home’ in our mission of caring,” said Martinez.
 
 
 
About United HomeCare® 
United HomeCare® is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization with a history of nearly half a century of helping families care for their aging relatives and transforming senior living by promoting independence and quality of life for older adults. United HomeCare is a trusted industry leader known for pioneering advances in home care programs, disease management services, and educational support programs for seniors, and is the first designated Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) Lead Agency in Miami-Dade County, and designated Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative service provider, Statewide Medicaid Managed Long Term Care home care services provider, and one of the most successful and longstanding United Way of Miami-Dade Impact Partners since 1973. 


The fundraising campaign runs from June 28 – July 25
 
June 25, 2021 – At only 8 years-old, Rylee Cappuccilli exemplifies strength and perseverance as she continues to face the challenges of a spinal cord injury she’s had since birth. 
 
The always-smiling third grader is one of many children in Southwest Florida to receive life-saving care at Golisano Children’s Hospital, the region’s only children’s hospital. In 2012, she learned to breathe on her own without 24-hour ventilator support, and in 2017, she overcame a surgery to remove a tracheotomy. Her mom, Andrea, calls it a miracle.
 
“It was the happiest day of our lives,” says Andrea Cappuccilli, Rylee’s mother. “We got our baby back. We shed so many happy tears. Rylee brings such a special kind of joy to the nurses and doctors at the hospital. They have brought us so much peace during our most worrisome times.”
As a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals partner, Golisano Children’s Hospital receives support from its affiliated fundraising campaigns, like the upcoming Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign, to help kids just like Rylee. 
 
“We are extremely fortunate to have a community that really comes together to support the patients we serve at Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s chief foundation and development officer. “Their generosity allows us to provide specialized, high-quality care to the children in our region. Through the Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign, you can help be a part of this.”
 
On June 28, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates will kick off their fundraising campaign, now in its 34th year, benefitting Golisano Children’s Hospital and giving customers and members many options to donate at the register or online.
 
Since 1987, this campaign has raised more than $1 billion for CMN Hospitals across North America. Last year was the first year the campaign benefited Golisano Children’s Hospital as a new CMN partner and more than $200,000 was raised locally in Southwest Florida.
“Sam Walton once told our founders that his associates would amaze us; they certainly have and continue to do so,” said Teri Nestel, president and chief executive officer of CMN Hospitals. “The passion these associates have to positively impact kids’ health in their communities is almost unmatched, and we are grateful for their support.” 
 
There are many ways to donate to Golisano Children’s Hospital through the Walmart and Sam’s Club campaign. Customers and members in Southwest Florida can donate any dollar amount at the register, or simply round-up their purchase to the next dollar and donate the change in-store or while shopping online.  You can also donate at www.SunshineAndMiracles.org.  
The fundraising campaign runs through July 25. 
 
 
 
About Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” three consecutive years by The Leapfrog Group. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit www.GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
 
 
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org. 
 


June 24, 2021  – Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital welcomes board-certified oncologist Elizabeth Tan-Chiu, MD.  
 
Dr. Tan-Chiu is now accepting new patients at Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, located at 3555 10th Court in Vero Beach. To schedule an appointment, call 772.563.4673. 
 
Dr. Tan-Chiu earned her medical degree at Far Eastern University in Manila. She completed residency programs at University of Philippines-Philippines General Hospital and University of Massachusetts Health Care-Memorial. She completed the fellowship program in hematology and oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 
 
Prior to joining Indian River Hospital, Dr. Tan-Chiu served as Associate Director of Medical Oversight for National Surgical Breast and Bowel Project, an NCI-funded research organization. She headed her own private practice and research organization in Plantation, Florida. She served as Principal Investigator, drug development advisor, and lecturer. She has done locum tenens in Guam, California and Florida. She has been a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology since 1998, and of the American College of Physicians since 1997. 
 
About Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is a 332-bed, not for profit hospital offering comprehensive medical services to the Treasure Coast community. The Welsh Heart Center, Scully-Welsh Cancer Center and Scully Endoscopy Center offer full-service programs and a multidisciplinary approach. Healthcare professionals represent specialties including orthopaedic services, minimally invasive vascular surgery, neurosurgery, stroke services, robotic surgery, a state-of-the-art wound healing center, bariatric surgery and the only maternity wing in the community. The hospital features all private rooms and is the largest private-sector employer in Indian River County. Learn more at clevelandclinicindianriverhospital.com.  
 


June 24, 2021 – The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc., established in 1984, has announced a donation to the University of Miami’s School of Medicine in support of its research on aging and cognitive function. The funding of the research study “Epigenetic Clock as a ‘Fountain of Youth’: Is the Epigenetic Age more Important for Cognitive Function than Chronological Age?” is part of the foundation’s mission to fund breakthrough research with an emphasis on aging. 
 
Dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. The UM study will further assess how the epigenetic clock, or biological age, can be affected by behaviors such as diet, exercise, and environment.  Could this become a better marker of cognitive function than chronological age alone? If biological age is indeed a better predictor for cognitive decline, this will aid in identifying individuals at high risk for dementia for early intervention.  The study will leverage past genetic and clinical research obtained from multiethnic populations.
 
Research into the causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s has increased as the population ages and as concerns are raised that they will become a major public health burden.    
 
“We are committed to supporting this critical research which affects a growing number of the population worldwide,” said Charles W. Douglas, chairman and president of The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc.  “One of Dr. Pearce’s passions was research on aging. We see the potential for clarity on how to start the modification of age-related epigenetic changes that will benefit future generations.”  
 
Additional foundation grants were awarded to the Mayo Clinic – Macular Degeneration Clinical Study, and Harvard Medical School.  
 
In addition, because of Dr. Pearce’s passion for classical music, the foundation has also provided funding to numerous classical music programs including the New World Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera.
 
 
About The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc.
The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. was established in 1984 by physician, entrepreneur, and business executive, M. Lee Pearce.  The foundation is dedicated to the support of classical music and to improving medical care with an emphasis on aging.