vol. 27 no. 12 march 23, 2009 a weekly space coast...

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Vol. 27 No. 12 March 23, 2009 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine Please see Health First Foundation, page 19 Please see Deals, page 14 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS, INC. By Ken Datzman ROCKLEDGE — More than four years ago, Health First Inc. made a systemwide commitment and a sizable investment to become a leader in one segment of revolutionary telemedicine — life–saving, no less. Nationally, Health First was the ninth hospital system in America to establish an “eICU,” or electronic intensive–care unit, using technology originally created by two Johns Hopkins University physicians. The doctors went on to form VISICU Inc. The surveillance system provides round–the–clock monitoring of ICU patients from a central location. Health First implemented the pioneering eICU program in June 2004, in a dedicated area of its administrative headquarters, and named it “VitalWatch.” The cutting–edge technology was patented by VISICU Inc., which was acquired in 2008 by Phillips Healthcare. The program was designed to improve critical–care delivery and save lives, which it is doing, physicians say. The VitalWatch system combines early warning software and remote monitoring to connect off–site critical– care physicians and nurses to ICU patients, 24 hours a day. “VitalWatch is like an air–traffic control center,” said Dr. James Shaffer, medical director of Health First’s eICU. His organization plans to expand the program with funds raised from the 27th annual Health First Foundation Benefit Ball April 18 at Florida Tech in Melbourne. The event typically draws more than 500 people. VitalWatch provides Health First physicians and nurses the ability to monitor real–time vital signs, laboratory results, and complete electronic medical records of the patients in the 78 ICU beds at the three Health First hospitals — Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, and Palm Bay Community Hospital — from a secure office. The technology does not replace the Health First Foundation Ball to help fund devices for electronic ICU system Funds raised by the 27th Health First Foundation Ball April 18 at Florida Tech will be used to help purchase four eCareMobile units for Health First’s electronic intensive–care unit, ‘VitalWatch.’ The eICU is set up at Health First’s administrative offices in Rockledge. From left: Rita Moreno, Ball chair; Dr. James Shaffer, medical director, VitalWatch; Sandy Grutta, Health First Foundation coordinator; and Mike Gavigan, VitalWatch operations manager. BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth By Jeff Harrington Scripps Howard Service Ticking off reasons to be in a dour economic mood is like picking low– hanging fruit: The stock market is near 12–year lows; many homeowners hold a bigger mortgage than their house is worth; more small businesses are losing their credit lines while more Americans are losing their jobs. No wonder consumer confidence is kicking around at all–time lows. Enough with the gloom already. We prefer to seize on a handful of positive economic snippets that set the stage for a turnaround. After all, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who more often than not moves the market downward with a bluntness alien to his predecessors, is among those predicting the recession will end in the second half of this year. So raise your half–full glass for a semi–toast to the upside of our economic condition. l Business inventories have been dramatically pared down, leaving many small companies lean enough to weather a prolonged slump and flexible enough to adjust their products to a shifting marketplace. l There are great deals to be had in buying a house (substitute: stock, car or marked–down consumer good of your choosing). Yes, there may be a further slump in real estate and stock prices, but history dictates they’ll eventually rise above current levels, and discounts and incentives abound. l Consumer spending rose in January after falling for a record six straight months. The better–than–expected Not all economic news is bad — deals in housing market, car buys BBN Brevard Business News

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Vol. 27 No. 12 March 23, 2009 A Weekly Space Coast Business Magazine

Please see Health First Foundation, page 19

Please see Deals, page 14

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

US POSTAGEPAID

BREVARD BUSINESSNEWS, INC.

By Ken Datzman

ROCKLEDGE — More than four

years ago, Health First Inc. made a

systemwide commitment and a sizable

investment to become a leader in one

segment of revolutionary telemedicine —

life–saving, no less.

Nationally, Health First was the ninth

hospital system in America to establish

an “eICU,” or electronic intensive–care

unit, using technology originally created

by two Johns Hopkins University

physicians. The doctors went on to form

VISICU Inc. The surveillance system

provides round–the–clock monitoring of

ICU patients from a central location.

Health First implemented the pioneering

eICU program in June 2004, in a

dedicated area of its administrative

headquarters, and named it

“VitalWatch.”

The cutting–edge technology was

patented by VISICU Inc., which was

acquired in 2008 by Phillips Healthcare.

The program was designed to improve

critical–care delivery and save lives,

which it is doing, physicians say.

The VitalWatch system combines

early warning software and remote

monitoring to connect off–site critical–

care physicians and nurses to ICU

patients, 24 hours a day. “VitalWatch is

like an air–traffic control center,” said Dr.

James Shaffer, medical director of Health

First’s eICU.

His organization plans to expand the

program with funds raised from the 27th

annual Health First Foundation Benefit

Ball April 18 at Florida Tech in

Melbourne. The event typically draws

more than 500 people.

VitalWatch provides Health First

physicians and nurses the ability to

monitor real–time vital signs, laboratory

results, and complete electronic medical

records of the patients in the 78 ICU beds

at the three Health First hospitals —

Holmes Regional Medical Center in

Melbourne, Cape Canaveral Hospital in

Cocoa Beach, and Palm Bay Community

Hospital — from a secure office.

The technology does not replace the

Health First FoundationBall to help fund devicesfor electronic ICU system

Funds raised by the 27th Health First Foundation Ball April 18 at Florida Tech will be used to helppurchase four eCareMobile units for Health First’s electronic intensive–care unit, ‘VitalWatch.’ TheeICU is set up at Health First’s administrative offices in Rockledge. From left: Rita Moreno, Ball chair;Dr. James Shaffer, medical director, VitalWatch; Sandy Grutta, Health First Foundation coordinator;and Mike Gavigan, VitalWatch operations manager.

BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth

By Jeff HarringtonScripps Howard Service

Ticking off reasons to be in a dour

economic mood is like picking low–

hanging fruit: The stock market is near

12–year lows; many homeowners hold a

bigger mortgage than their house is

worth; more small businesses are losing

their credit lines while more Americans

are losing their jobs.

No wonder consumer confidence is

kicking around at all–time lows.

Enough with the gloom already.

We prefer to seize on a handful of

positive economic snippets that set the

stage for a turnaround. After all, Federal

Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who

more often than not moves the market

downward with a bluntness alien to his

predecessors, is among those predicting

the recession will end in the second half of

this year.

So raise your half–full glass for a

semi–toast to the upside of our economic

condition.

l Business inventories have been

dramatically pared down, leaving many

small companies lean enough to weather

a prolonged slump and flexible enough to

adjust their products to a shifting

marketplace.

l There are great deals to be had in

buying a house (substitute: stock, car or

marked–down consumer good of your

choosing). Yes, there may be a further

slump in real estate and stock prices, but

history dictates they’ll eventually rise

above current levels, and discounts and

incentives abound.

l Consumer spending rose in January

after falling for a record six straight

months. The better–than–expected

Not all economic news is bad — deals in housing market, car buys

BBN Brevard Business

News

MARCH 23, 2009Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising InformationBREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 2

BBN DIGESTUW of Brevard recognizesLeadership Donors at event

United Way of Brevard recently held its annual

Leadership Giving Circle recognition event, honoring

donors who gave annual gifts and made pledges of more

than $1,000 to the 2008 community campaign.

The program was sponsored by Brevard Community

College and the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse. Guests

were treated to an evening that included tickets to a

special presentation of the play “Gentlemen Prefer

Blondes,” followed by a reception on stage with the cast

and crew. Hostess Anastacia Hawkins–Smith, executive

director of the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, welcomed

guests and opened the evening by sharing a bit of Play-

house history with the crowd. More than 150 people

attended the function.

“We’re extremely grateful to our friends at Brevard

Community College — Dr. Jim Drake and Jim Ross — as

well as Stacie and the folks at the Historic Cocoa Village

Playhouse for their willingness to help us recognize some

of our special United Way family members,” said Rob

Rains, president of United Way of Brevard.

“We want to especially thank all of those who supported

our 2008 campaign, enabling United Way of Brevard to

raise a record total in support of local human services.

Your support was overwhelming and made us very proud

to partner with others who care as much as we do about

this community.”

Those who attended the event included: Steve and Flo

Abraira, Jerry and Judy Allender, Malcolm and Barbara

Baird, Frank and Jennifer Barger, Eleanor Beaudoin,

Mike and Wendy Biebesheimer, Sam and Sandra

Bookhardt, Ted and Jeanette Boydston, Don and Shari

Breckenridge, Kim and David Brown, Dr. Don and Dr.

Laurette Bryan, Scott and Teri Burcham, Jim and Sandra

Burge, David and Paola Bush, Jim and Mary Clamons,

Polly Clawson, Wes and Sherry Covell, Linda Dolphin, Jim

and Susan Elmore, Phil and Bunny Finney, Don and

Cindy Flachmeier, John and Andrea Foster, Paul Gamble,

Daryl and Melissa Gilbert, Johnette and Michael Gindling,

and Bob and Margaret Grassman.

They were joined by these supporters: Steve and

Bridget Griffin, George and Toni Harley, Glenn and Cheryl

Harmon, Eric Hostetler, Dan and Bethanne’ Hull, Andrew

Jarmusz, Tim and Liz Lee, Jeff Lies, Edwin and Nancy

Loftin, Troy and Lisa Lotane, Ann Luke, Mike Maier,

Joanne Pfannenstiel, Vi Philbrick, Rob and Fran Pickett,

Eric and Karen Reimann, Karen Sack, David and Cindy

Schmitt, Carol Sheffield, Fran and Jo Shill, Louis and

Julie Martinez, Mac and Judith McLouth, Malcolm and

Lisa McRoberts, Jim and Susan Mincey, Paul and Susan

Molineaux, Rodd and Malinda Newcombe, Caron Cynthia

Slattum, Bill and Lisa Smoak, Suzanne Sparling, Dr. Gary

and Janice Stutte, Dr. Fritz and Nancy Thompson, Rob

and Tina Varley, Elizabeth Velez, Stewart Weimer, Bill

and Susan Welser, Lee White and Mindy Phelps.

Best–selling author to speak at libraryBest–selling author Randy Wayne White will speak at

3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at the Cocoa Beach Public

Library. He will discuss, sign and sell his newest novel,

“Dead Silence.” Copies will be available for $25.95.

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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 3

Children Home Society benefitMarch 28 at Seelmans’ home

The second annual “Portraits of Possibilities” benefit

will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at the home

of Dr. Robert and Maria Seelman in Indialantic.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Brevard

Division of Children’s Home Society of Florida. The fund–

raiser will include gourmet food, beverage stations, live

entertainment, and silent and live auctions.

Tickets for Portraits of Possibilities are $150 per person.

Sponsorships are also available beginning at $500

(includes tickets to Portraits of Possibilities and an

invitation to an exclusive pre–event reception).

Also featured at the event will be the presentation of

the R. David and I. Lorraine Thomas Child Advocate of the

Year Award for 2008. This annual award was established

in 1982 by Dave Thomas, the late founder of Wendy’s

International, to recognize an individual or organization

who has made a “significant impact on the lives of Florida’s

less fortunate children and families by giving their time,

talent, and financial resources.” Before his death, Mr.

Thomas, a longtime supporter of CHS, hoped that the

awards “would serve as a catalyst to inspire others to

improve opportunities for Florida’s children.” CHS said the

nominees for the 2008 award are foster parent Ivory

Murphy, Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker, and the

GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Sponsors for Portrait of Possibilities include: Jim and

Betty Nance, Health First Inc., Lexus of Melbourne,

Michael Kott, the Ed Andre family, Art and Lorie Evans,

Warren and Evelyn Foster, Myra Igo Haley, Harris Corp.,

Drs. Wayne and Deborah Kearney, Judy and Bryan Roub,

Virginia and Fred Sandor, Dr. Robert and Maria Seelman,

the Baney family, Beachside Physical Therapy, Charroux

Homes, Tom and Linda Davis and Stephanie A.C. Durgin.

They are joined by these sponsors: Dr. Kim Zipper,

Walter and Dottie Gatti, Brett and Kelly Gelbert, Dr. Peter

Gilbert, Dr. Nanialei Golden, Jack and Martha Hartley,

the Hobgoods, Dr. Athan Kartsonis, Teresa Miles, Donald

Sheppard, and James and Patricia Pruitt.

In–kind sponsors include “Brevard Business News,”

Bright House Networks, Haru Sushi Bar & Grill, Holly-

wood Limousine, Lexus of Melbourne, Ocean Sky Images,

Premier Beverage, Southeast Auctions, “Space Coast

Living Magazine,” Tim Webber, and WGRV The Groove.

For more information on sponsorships, to request an

invitation, or to donate items for the auction, contact Leslie

Bardo at 752–3170, extension 235, or send an e–mail

message to [email protected].

Dr. Vasudevan to be honored at eventDr. S.M. Vasudevan, staff psychiatrist for Circles of

Care, has been promoted to Life Fellow status in the

American Psychiatric Association in recognition of his

years of dedicated service to the organization. His status

will be recognized in a ceremony at the 2009 Convocation

of Distinguished Fellows on May 18 in the Moscone

Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. His recognition

will occur at the beginning of the association’s annual

meeting. Circles of Care, with facilities in Titusville,

Rockledge and Melbourne, is Brevard’s largest provider of

behavioral health–care services.

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BBN EDITORIAL

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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 4

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].

Today, dressing–room lighting can spell retail life or deathBy Cathy Keen

Dressing room lights may determine how bright the

outlook for clothing sales is with the nation’s retailers, a

new University of Florida study suggests.

In today’s tight economy, the lengths apparel stores go

to lure customers with deep discounts and colorful interior

designs are likely to fall short if shoppers don’t like how

they look in the mirror, said Anne Baumstarck, who did

the research for her master’s degree in interior design at

UF.

“The dressing room represents the final moment when

the consumer decides whether or not to make a clothing

purchase,” she said. “It is where the sale is made.”

Yet retailers often overlook the importance of how the

room is illuminated, thinking all shoppers need is an

overhead light to be able to see when trying on merchan-

dise, Baumstarck said. But shoppers may have other

needs, and lighting direction appears to affect how people

see themselves, she said.

“After all sorts of money is invested in a store’s atmo-

spherics, it gives shoppers a letdown to have poorly

planned dressing rooms,” she said. “Retailers diminish the

feeling they’ve worked so hard to create in the main store.”

While other studies have examined lighting on the

sales floor, none have looked at the effects it has on

shoppers in dressing rooms, Baumstarck said.

In Baumstarck’s study, 60 female shoppers ages 18 to

35 who tried on clothes in the dressing rooms at Wolfgang,

a Gainesville clothing boutique, showed a clear preference

for frontal lights — those installed along the sides of the

mirror — to overhead lights, which were mounted on the

ceiling. “Women complained that overhead lighting created

shadows on their face, making them look unattractive,”

she said.

To avoid these unflattering shadows, shoppers had to

step back from the mirror and move around, Baumstarck

said. “They were constantly engaged in trying to negotiate

the best spot to stand and ended up dancing around the

dressing room,” she said.

When customers notice the negative aspects of their

surroundings, it distracts them from paying attention to

the merchandise, Baumstarck said. “You never want a

consumer to be thinking ‘I hate this lighting’ instead of ‘I

like this dress,’” she said.

Overhead lighting also makes a room seem smaller —

even cramped — creating a need to escape, Baumstarck

said. With frontal lighting, dressing rooms appear roomier,

and shoppers said they were willing to stay longer and

even try on more clothes, she said.

Women most impressed with frontal lighting were

those who placed a high priority on personal appearance

and how they looked in clothes; by comparison, more

utilitarian shoppers cared only about finding a particular

article of apparel that fit, the study found.

Results showed that this “self–oriented” shopper would

sometimes comment about frontal lighting giving their

skin a healthy glow, making their cellulite less visible or

being so soft and flattering that it made it appear they

were in a bar or restaurant in the evening, she said.

Previous research shows consumers choose a store with

a particular image, such as one that is healthy and sporty

or sexy and trendy because they want to be seen as having

those attributes, Baumstarck said.

Lighting was so important that it captured a majority of

the comments — 51 percent — that women made in the

study, Baumstarck said. Of the 36 comments made about

overhead lighting, 25 were negative, representing 69

percent of the total, and 11 were positive, making up 31

percent. In contrast, frontal lighting generated 34 com-

ments, of which 20 were positive — 59 percent — and 14

were negative or 41 percent.

Lighting in stores varies, with overhead lights common

in lower–priced bargain stores, Baumstarck said. Some

retailers don’t even designate lighting for dressing rooms;

the same overhead light fixtures serve both dressing rooms

and the main sales floor, she said.

“It’s not all about the clothes,” she said. “What woman

doesn’t go into a dressing room and engage in a dialogue

with herself about how attractive she is? You don’t want to

give her any opportunity to feel badly about herself.”

Baumstarck’s study has great implications for retailers

and consumers, especially with the economic downturn,

said Paulette Hebert, an Oklahoma State University

design professor and lighting expert. “One important

variable, such as dressing room illumination, may mean

the difference in a store remaining viable in today’s

economy,” she said.

Brevard

Business

News

Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation announces new date for ExpoThe Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation’s sixth annual Expo

is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at

the Brevard Community College Titusville campus.

The Foundation invites all area physicians, nurses,

pharmacists and others who need continuing–education

credits to register for the Doctors’ Expo by downloading a

form at www.doctorsfoundation.org. The education units

are offered free of charge.

The Expo will showcase the health industry’s “finest

medical and pharmaceutical products and other health–

related services.” The exhibit hall will be open from 9 a.m.

to 1 p.m. Attendees will hear about the latest trends in

clinical research, drugs and devices, as well as medical,

ancillary and financial services. Membership to the

Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation is open and free of charge to

all physicians and allied–health professionals.

The Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation is a 501(c) (3)

charitable organization. The Foundation consists of more

than 150 area physicians and health–care professionals.

The organization’s goal is to “promote health–related

education, research and to participate in local and

international charitable medical missions.”

For more information, visit www.doctorsfoundation.org

or call 735–6492.

Nominations for JPMF’s ‘Spirit of Philanthropy’The Jess Parrish Medical Foundation is accepting nominations for its “Spirit of Philanthropy” awards. The program

“honors and celebrates the female heroes in the community who contribute their time, talent or treasure to make North

Brevard a better place to live, work and raise families.” The nomination form is available at parrishmedfoundation.com/

spirit, or it can be obtained at the Foundation office in downtown Titusville or Parrish Medical Center’s concierge desk in

Titusville. All local winners will also be submitted as nominees to the National Spirit of Women Awards. Nomination

categories include “Rising Star,” outstanding young female philanthropist ages 14 to 20; “Community Hero,” outstanding

woman of philanthropy ages 20 to 54; “Spirit of Philanthropy,” a lifetime achievement award for a woman 55 and older;

“Healthcare Hero,” a female clinical professional; and “Business Hero,” Spirit of Women business partners. Honorees will

be recognized at the Spirit of Philanthropy Red Shoe Reception and Awards Banquet April 23 at the Titusville Playhouse.

Marci Shimoff, author of “Happy For No Reason,” will be the keynote speaker. For more information, call 269–4066.

Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 23, 2009 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 5

BBN DIGESTBrevard Workforce Board tapsEmbry–Riddle for space plan

ROCKLEDGE — As our nation’s space program

transitions toward new priorities and new vehicles, Florida

and other states must devise strategies to maintain the

readiness of a highly specialized aerospace work force.

Under a grant from the U.S. Economic Development

Administration, Brevard Workforce Development Board

Inc. has selected Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

and its Space Transportation Research & Development

Institute (STRDI) to support this requirement in coordina-

tion with regional, state and national stakeholders.

“Among the states involved in our nation’s space

program, Florida’s work force will be hardest hit by

NASA’s retirement of the space–shuttle program,” said

BWDB President Lisa Rice. “Mitigating these impacts is a

top priority for our organization. We look forward to

working with STRDI to promote policy initiatives that will

retain and expand our state’s role in the space transporta-

tion industry, creating new opportunities for our world–

class space work force.”

The project will explore and promote options for

diversifying the state’s role beyond its current support for

government–sponsored launch programs like NASA’s

space shuttle and military expendable rockets. Embry–

Riddle will present legislative and policy alternatives to

lawmakers and advocacy groups to prevent the region’s

aerospace talent base from eroding.

“Our biggest concern is the permanent loss of critical

skills that could occur with a multiyear gap in human

spaceflight programs at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport,”

said Edward Ellegood, STRDI’s principal investigator for

the BWDB project. “This is much more than a local jobs

issue; the space transportation work force and infrastruc-

ture at the Cape are strategically important to the nation

and represent an investment of many billions of dollars.

Use of these taxpayer–developed assets should be maxi-

mized as a matter of public policy.”

In Central Florida, and especially Brevard County, the

space program has provided the impetus for technology–

based economic development that has placed the ‘Space

Coast’ at or near the top of the state’s rankings for high–

tech employment, wage rates, and educational achieve-

ment. The region’s reliance on programs like the space

shuttle has repeatedly put the state’s economy at risk

when these programs are canceled or delayed. BWDB has

worked closely with federal and state work force, labor,

and economic development agencies to address these

concerns.

The BWDB’s role is to administer work–force develop-

ment programs throughout Brevard County. A funding,

policy and oversight agency, BWDB focuses on improving

the quality of Brevard County’s work force. Visit

www.bwdb.org and www.brevardjoblink.org for informa-

tion on BWDB’s programs and services.

German’s exhibit set for Cocoa BeachSiri Lynn German will be exhibiting her tropical and

3–D art at the Cocoa Beach Library, 550 N. Brevard Ave.,

during April, in the Community Room. There will be an

opening party held there from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday,

April 11. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

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Monday, March 23rd, 2009 - BCC Titusville Campus, Community Dining Room, 4-7pm

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Health First goes to e–prescriptionsto increase safety and convenience

ROCKLEDGE — If your doctor is a member of Health

First Physicians, you can say good–bye to long waits at

the pharmacy for a prescription that your pharmacist

may have trouble reading in the first place.

Health First Physicians is now using a new e–

prescription process. Instead of writing out prescriptions

on a piece of paper, doctors who are part of the Health

First Physicians medical group are directly entering

prescriptions into a computer. The prescription travels

directly from the doctor’s office to the pharmacy’s

computer. E–prescriptions are sent via a secure network

that protects the patient’s privacy.

Health First says this new process increases patient

safety by ensuring the “pharmacist gives out the exact

drug ordered by a doctor.” The paperless process “virtu-

ally eliminates mistakes due to illegible handwriting as

well as confusion when two drugs share similar names or

when the exact dosage may be unclear.”

In addition, the e–prescription reaches the pharmacist

before the patient leaves the doctor’s office, reducing or

even eliminating waiting time at the pharmacy.

“This new process is a giant leap forward for our

patients’ safety and convenience,” said Dr. William

Morgan, president of Health First Physicians. “E–

prescriptions are the safest way to ensure that our

patients receive exactly what their doctor intended and

eliminates that extra trip to the pharmacy to drop off the

prescription.”

More than 70 percent of community pharmacies in the

United States currently accept e–prescriptions, and more

are doing so every day, he said.

Any patient whose pharmacy does not accept e–

prescriptions, or any individual who does not want their

prescription sent electronically can still request a paper

prescription from a Health First Physicians doctor.

Area home inspector earns designationWade Johnson of Beach ‘N Beyond Home Inspections

in Cape Canaveral has earned the Certified Real Estate

Inspector designation awarded by the nonprofit National

Association of Home Inspectors in Minneapolis, Minn.

The designation is bestowed upon home inspectors who

“demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in all

aspects of home inspection.” A Certified Real Estate

Inspector must maintain continuing education credits to

remain in the program. For more information about the

program, visit www.nahi.org.

ASTD announces board of directorsThe Space Coast chapter of the American Society for

Training and Development has announced its 2009 board

of directors. They are: Debbie Featherston, president;

Jackie Fisher, president–elect; Bruce Layman, V.P.

finance; Karla Roberts, V.P., membership; Michelle

Vincent, V.P., programs; Kizzy Parks, V.P., communica-

tions; Ken Stein, immediate past president; and Denny

Dickens, Webmaster. The chapter meets every other

month at the Holiday Inn Melbourne–Viera. For more

information about the organization, visit

www.spacecoast–astd.com.

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Another fi ne community from Simms-Molitor, featuring two of Brevard County’s fi nest award-winning builders providing the best in design and craftsmanship. A true nature lover’s delight, Sisson Meadows off ers a breathtaking beauty and serenity carefully preserved in this lakeside setting. Sisson Meadows features three- and four- bedroom homes starting in the $100,000’s, placed among winding paths shaded by 100-year-old oaks. Th is community has been nominated for awards in sustainable development, green space preservation with most lots backing up to nature preserve, lakefront, or woodland preserve. Sisson Meadows is a beautiful community of home sites on meandering streets providing complete peace and tranquility of green space, recreational areas, bass stocked lakes, and nature preserves for your family’s living pleasure. Sisson Meadows is conveniently located near schools, churches, shopping, Intracoastal Waterway, and beaches.

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Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 23, 2009 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 9

BBN DIGESTKiwanis supports the launchof new Crosswinds program

Brevard Kiwanis Division 11 recently presented

Crosswinds Youth Services a $4,400 grant, along with a

$4,400 matching grant from the Florida Kiwanis Founda-

tion, toward the purchase of a Class C motor home for the

Street Outreach Project.

The presentation took place during the annual visit of

David Liddell Jr., Florida Kiwanis governor. The event

was held at the Indian River Colony Club in Viera.

“This is a very special project for the homeless boys and

girls in Brevard County,” said Cape Canaveral–Port

Canaveral Kiwanis Club President Tom Miesmer, director

of business operations at Crosswinds.

“It is a rare instance that an entire division will jointly

apply for a grant from the foundation. This shows how

much support there is among the clubs in Brevard for the

new outreach program at Crosswinds.”

The Street Outreach Program targets the needs of at–

risk, runaway and homeless youth by providing services on

the streets of Brevard County. The Kiwanis motor home

will act as a mobile outreach unit to provide tangible items,

such as food, clothing and hygiene products to street youth.

The program also distributes literature and referral

information for other needed services, including medical

clinics, GED, job training programs and food banks.

Currently, the Street Outreach Team at Crosswinds “is

out four or more nights a week talking to youth about

shelter options, educating youth about community

resources, handing out snacks, clothes and hygiene packs,”

said Jan Lokay, Crosswinds president.

“This wonderful gift from Kiwanis will allow Cross-

winds to purchase a motor home that will give our

Outreach Team greater flexibility in meeting the needs of

Brevard’s homeless youth,” adds Lokay.

For more information about Crosswinds, call 452–0800,

or visit www.crosswindsyouthservices.org.

Courses on Spanish for workplace offeredDr. Adrienne Trothier has opened the Voices of

America: Learning for Life Academy in Titusville. The

Academy focuses on teaching Spanish for the workplace

and travel in a series of classes. Titusville Mayor Jim

Tulley recently took part in a ribbon–cutting ceremony at

the Titusville Chamber of Commerce to mark the launch of

a new series of classes. Dr. Trothier is a longtime educator

and nationally certified instructor of Command Spanish

Inc. programs. The courses offered are job–specific and are

available for a wide range of professions, including

medical, dentistry, law enforcement, public safety,

hospitality, warehousing and banking. “The programs are

all non–grammar based and do not require prior knowl-

edge of Spanish,” said Dr. Trothier. “Each class is custom-

ized so that you learn what you need to know. In as little

as 10 hours, you can be communicating in Spanish.” There

are classes in Latino culture and diversity, and English for

non–English speakers as well, Dr. Trothier said. “The

classes are small, and can be held at your place of business

or at our locations in Titusville and Cocoa.” Day and

evening classes are available. For more information, visit

www.SpanishfortheWorkplace.com or call 268–9599 or

(860) 944–4455.

BRPH

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By Ken Datzman

SUNTREE — The first model home is set to

break ground at Newton Land Development Inc.’s

environmentally friendly and uniquely shaped

San Marino Estates, an upscale subdivision that

has been five years in the works.

Located along North Pinehurst Avenue, in the

Suntree area, San Marino Estates is looking to

attract consumers to the fully wooded 79–lot

development with a newly launched value–

oriented home–construction and lot–purchase

strategy.

The San Marino Estates team says it’s a

serious attempt at taking a pro–active stance in

the industry and slashing profit margins to

perhaps drive buyer momentum in today’s tight

marketplace. Developers like Newton Land are

taking the “bull by the horns” and trying to create

some excitement for buyers.

“We have been optimistic through this whole

thing and we’re still holding that view for 2009,”

said Newton Land Development’s Rich Mehalick,

sales manager for San Marino Estates, a single–

family community where custom homes can be

built from the $400s. “There are still buyers in the

market. They are smart buyers and they are

looking for value. Nowadays, if you are not

offering value and quality, the consumer will fast

pass you by.”

He adds, “We already have quality in our

community and now we are introducing a value

strategy that we hope will play a role in bringing

customers to this beautiful new–home develop-

ment. We think San Marino Estates is a paradise.

It showcases a 15–acre lake and five acres of

wetland preserves. This development has its own

natural ecosystem. There are otters, ducks,

herons, Sandhill Cranes, osprey families, turtles

and fish.”

The tract of land has 40– to 50–foot–high trees

throughout the more than 60 acres. Businessman

John Newton, president and founder of Newton

Land Development in Melbourne, spent two and

half years coordinating the development of this

project with the St. Johns River Water Manage-

ment District because he wanted to preserve the

wetlands at San Marino Estates.

By developing the land with care, the natural

resources can be enhanced, he said. “The objective

of our subdivision is to be in harmony with

nature, and in doing so we have preserved acres of

wetlands on both sides of the project.”

San Marino Estates is entered in the Home

Builders and Contractors Association’s 2009

Spring Parade of Homes. The entry is in the

“community” category. The Parade is scheduled

March 21 through March 29 in the county, with

model homes and new–home developments open

for consumers to visit. They can meet the builders

and the developers of these communities.

Of the 79 lots at San Marino Estates, more

than 30 front a lake. In general, most of the lots

back up to a natural wetland preserve, or lakes

and ponds. “We wanted to create a community

that provides privacy and seclusion in a very

beautiful, natural setting,” Newton said. “It’s an

upscale neighborhood intermingled with the

natural beauty of the existing treescape, land-

scape and the wetlands.”

With its environmental emphasis, Mehalick

said San Marino Estates is an ideal community in

which to build “a green home.” The sizable

wetlands have been painstakingly preserved, he

said. These fascinating ecosystems are essential

for healthy and sustainable landscapes.

Newton says San Marino Estates has been

working with a number of top area builders and

subcontractors to set the development apart from

other “prestigious, gated communities” in the

Suntree and Viera areas.

“We decided to push a lean construction–cost

scenario,” Newton said. He said the team is going

to flip the profit model upside–down.

“We’re going to work it backward and start

with the true costs. We’ll work toward a final

number so we can sell a custom house and lot

combination significantly less expensively at San

Marino Estates. We had to adjust to meet the

economic environment and it was the right thing

to do. It doesn’t have to cost $170 a square foot to

build a custom home in this area of the county.

We are working diligently to make it a ‘bare–

bones’ cost for the customer,” Newton said.

For the past four months, Newton Land

Development has been negotiating and working

with a select group of construction trades people

in the region with the intent of taking the lead on

this front and lowering building costs to the

consumer, in an effort to spark sales. Builders and

developers must be receptive to new ideas during

these unprecedented economic times, he says.

“We felt like we needed to pursue this avenue

to make our project really shine and be success-

ful,” Newton, a former banker, said. “At San

Marino Estates, we think it’s probable that we’ll

have houses that may sell for $150,000 to

$200,000 less than their appraisal, which would

be incredible. The reason being is that the profit

model has been scaled down.”

Newton said he believes the cost–cutting will

Newton Land Development’s San Marino Estates sets itself off inmarket, wooded, new–home community with uniquely shaped lots— HBCA Spring Parade entry; rolls out attractive value strategy

not impact the quality of construction of the homes at the development. “For

example, the homes at San Marino Estates will have six–inch slabs instead

of the four–inch code–required slabs. The homes in this development will

showcase high–quality construction.”

The concrete–block homes will contain a host of features, including tile

roofs, paver driveways, granite countertops, walk–in pantries, and the option

of having a three or four–car garage. Homes at San Marino Estates must

have a minimum of 2,000 square feet. “The home that is currently set to be

built at the development will have 3,800 square feet of living area.”

The two–story, five–bedroom home features a master suite on the first

floor, said Mehalick. “There are four bedrooms upstairs and a huge bonus

room and a study. It’s a highly appealing floor plan. The home represents

very strong value and that is what we’re trying to accomplish at San Marino

— providing the customer with an attractively priced package.”

Mehalick says he expects to see some firming effect on home sales this

year. “I feel like we’re getting very close to hitting the bottom of the market.

Once that happens, a lot of people who have been waiting to build a home

will move forward and make that investment.”

Newton Land Development’s San Marino Estates, located near Viera on NorthPinehurst Drive, is an environmentally friendly single–family home community. Thedevelopment, which has a lake and acres of wetland preserves, features 79 lots ofvarious sizes and shapes. From left: Rich Mehalick, sales manager; Brenda Boren,assistant developer; John Newton, president; and Floyd White, V.P., senior projectmanager. They are at San Marino Estates.

BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth

Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 23, 2009

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BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 11

BBN photo — Adrienne B. Roth

By Ken Datzman

Franck Kaiser Jr., executive vice president and

chief executive officer of the Home Builders and

Contactors Association of Brevard, has been

steering his organization through some choppy

waters for the past two years. These kind of seas

would challenge the most skilled yachtsman.

A veteran trade–association executive, Kaiser

says area homebuilders began to feel the market

turn down in mid–2006. Later, the financial

industry swooned, creating an even more

contentious business environment. Then a

“hunker–down mentality” among consumers set

in — perhaps driven in part by a steady dose of

“dooms–day” type articles in the press — and that

really sent the economy reeling.

Now, as the first quarter of 2009 winds down,

Kaiser says he is beginning to see some positive

forces in the housing industry and in the existing

home–sales market in the county. This is leading

him to believe that housing gains will be made

before 2009 closes.

“Housing prices are starting to rebound. We

have seen a start of the recovery of our market.

We began to see prices pick up in November. The

current cost of construction of a new home is

about 10 percent greater than it was a year ago.

Still, it is very affordable,” Kaiser said. He adds,

“We expect to see home–sales activity increase

before the end of the year, maybe not throughout

the state or the nation, but Brevard should see an

uptick in 2009.”

Industry experts are hopeful that sales will

start to turn around by late spring and early

summer, because history suggests that home

sales can increase even in times of job losses when

housing affordability rises.

Kaiser will be watching for signs of improve-

ment as the HBCA hosts its annual Spring

Parade of Homes March 21 to March 29, with

models showcased around the county. The Parade

has 31 entries, ranging in price from $149,000 to

$2.5 million.

“We are doing very well to have that many

entries. It’s a very positive sign. The Spring

Parade has both a ‘Showcase Home’ and a

‘Showcase Community.’ That’s an important sign

because they are sponsored by the builders and

the developers. We’re excited to show off our

model homes and our communities to the public

during the eight–day event,” Kaiser said.

Builders who have single–family entries in the

Parade include DiPrima Custom Homes, Charles

Boyd Construction, Scalero Custom Homes,

Honeymoon Hill Constructors, Christopher

Burton Homes, JerJef Construction and Holiday

Builders.

The Spring Parade’s corporate sponsor is

Shelter Mortgage LLC, said Shea Shannon,

HBCA’s director of special events. “Shelter

Mortgage has given us a big lift with its sponsor-

ship. And Mercedes, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne

will provide the cars for the parade judges. The

dealership is one of our sponsors, too. We also

have Ferguson Enterprises and Whirlpool aboard

as Merit Award sponsors. And Verizon Wireless is

sponsoring the judges’ breakfast. So we have seen

some businesses in the region step up and become

sponsors for the Spring Parade. We appreciate

their support during these challenging times.”

The “Showcase Home” was constructed by

Viera Builders. The four–bedroom “Lucerna”

model has 2,760 square feet. Consumers can tour

the model in the Chelford subdivision, in Viera.

The “Showcase Community” is Veranda Place in

Melbourne, a project by The Coy Clark Develop-

ment Co. DiPrima Custom Homes, one of the

region’s oldest home–building firms, has a single–

family Parade entry at Veranda Place.

Two other single–family communities are

Parade entries: Sisson Meadows in Titusville, by

Falcon Realty and Development Corp., and

Newton Land Development Co.’s San Marino

Estates, in Melbourne.

Sisson Meadows, a community situated in a

wooded setting with curving streets, is at 100

Breakaway Trail. Developers Don Simms and

Roger Molitor installed more than 30 bird feeders

and birdhouses throughout the community, as

well as a dozen picnic tables and park benches in

the common areas. The development also features

a sizable, eye–catching gazebo made of solid

sandstone. The lakes are stocked with bass,

catfish and bluegill. “We wanted to create a

unique community and we were able to achieve

our goal by using curvilinear, smart growth, and

sustainable–development concepts,” says Simms.

John Newton’s San Marino Estates is a

Mediterranean–themed, heavily wooded subdivi-

sion with 79 uniquely shaped lots. Newton

Development hired Rick Harrison of Minneapolis,

whose company is renowned for its site–design

work, to configure the layout of the community.

San Marino Estates is on North Pinehurst

Avenue, near Suntree.

Nationwide housing affordability surged at

year–end 2008 to its highest level in at least five

years, according to the National Association of

Home Builders. Locally, Kaiser says he is

“encouraged by the number of potential buyers in

HBCA chief Franck Kaiser optimistic as Spring Parade of Homes isset to open around county March 21; ‘Showcase Home’ by VieraBuilders, Coy Clark’s Veranda Place is ‘Showcase Community’

Franck Kaiser Jr., CEO of the Home Builders and Contractors Association of Brevard,is looking for the housing market in Brevard to make gains this year. Shea Shannonis the HBCA’s director of special events. The HBCA Spring Parade of Homes runsMarch 21 through March 29. They are at the HBCA in Melbourne.

the market. There are a lot of people who have been renting. They’re waiting

to make a home purchase. This is the best time to make that commitment,

taking into consideration housing affordability and the historically low

mortgage interest rates.”

The government’s $8,000 tax credit for first–time homebuyers, which was

enacted in February as part of the economic stimulus package, is expected to

boost sales. The tax credit is available only between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1,

2009. “I think the $8,000 tax credit for first–time buyers will play a role in

helping to get some of the existing homes off the market that people are

trying to sell,” said Kaiser, whose organization is looking to gain new

members as the housing market begins to rebound.

“There is great value in HBCA membership,” he said. “When you join the

HBCA, it’s like a triple membership. You automatically become a member of

the Florida Home Builders Association and the National Home Builder

Association. And there are a lot of benefits that accrue at those various

levels. On the national level, for example, there are tremendous resources

available through the National Housing Center in Washington. The NAHB

is lobbying full time on the Hill to keep housing affordable and to protect

consumers’ private–property rights. The same thing is going on in Tallahas-

see with the FHBA.”

MARCH 23, 2009Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising Information

BBN DIGEST

BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 12

Photography company expandsinto medical, hospitality markets

Be There 360 Photography in Melbourne Beach has

expanded into new markets. The company specializes in

architectural photography, ground–based aerial photogra-

phy and the production and hosting of virtual–tour

products for the real–estate industry. Now, it is adding the

medical and hospitality markets to its areas of expertise.

The business opened its doors five years ago when

owner Walt Simpson, then a Realtor, realized that “other

agents in his office were clamoring for his photography and

his Internet–friendly listing presentation.”

In addition to his photographic experience, Simpson is a

former manager for IBM Corp. and Siemens Corp.

The company’s ground–based aerial photography is its

“signature product.” With a camera mounted on a tele-

scopic pole, “waterfront and other large property listings

take on a whole new vantage point beyond the traditional

‘front–of–house’ shot,” said Simpson. “The ground–based

aerial shots are an affordable alternative to the ‘plane’ shot

starting at $50 when purchased with a virtual tour, or $75

as a standalone product.”

He said the tours are generally produced “within 24

hours of the shoot.” An Internet link for the tour is e–

mailed to the listing agent for upload to the MLS system.

Be There 360 uploads the tour to Realtor.com as part of its

service.

“The agents are provided with ‘branded’ and ‘un-

branded’ tours. Branded tours may be used on the agent’s

Web sites, while ‘unbranded’ tours are required for MLS.”

Simpson also created an interactive product for

builders. The basic format is the comparative study of a

model floor plan and photos of the actual completed model.

He said Health First Inc. has contracted with his

company to produce virtual tours of its fitness centers and

of the expansion of Palm Bay hospital. “The tours will be

used to market directly to consumers through their Web

sites.”

The company consists of Walt Simpson, president; Dan

Simpson, director of photography; and Tina Suiter,

marketing manager. For more information about the firm,

call 725–0360 or visit www.bethere360.com.

Paul McCarthy joins Palm Coast DataPalm Coast Data has announced that Paul McCarthy

has joined the company as vice president of marketing for

Custom Solution Services. McCarthy heads up the sales

and marketing effort for the Palm Coast, Fla., company.

Custom Solution Services provides specialized fulfillment

solutions to publishers and membership organizations. In

his role, McCarthy is responsible for a wide range of areas

including expanding the company’s presence within the

membership sector, client–needs assessment, technology

transformation, project management and client–relation-

ship management. “Paul has the results–oriented,

performance–driven skill set we were looking for,” said

John Meneough, Palm Coast Data president. “Plus, his

impressive technology background and the ability to relate

complex issues clearly will serve him well. We’re very

pleased that Paul is coming on board.” McCarthy is a

graduate of Arizona State University and a 23–year

veteran of the fulfillment industry.

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Visit BrevardBusinessNews.com for Advertising InformationMARCH 23, 2009 BREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 13

BBN DIGESTChip Spear reopens theSpear Agency in Brevard

The Spear Agency, a full–service marketing communi-

cations firm, has reopened its doors in Melbourne after an

eight–year hiatus, according to owner and founder Chip

Spear.

The company first opened in Brevard in November of

1987, following 17 years of operation in San Diego and the

Southern California market.

Spear has more than 30 years experience in the

planning, budgeting, creation, production and distribution

of public relations, advertising, promotions and marketing

services.

Through the years, his clients have included national,

regional and local companies, as well as associations in the

fields of banking, technology, real estate, architecture,

engineering, hospitality, retail and sports, in both the

business–to–business and general consumer markets.

“Today’s economic downturn is forcing many small–

business owners to find the competitive edge. I look

forward to becoming a part–time marketing director for

the many firms that want to rise above today’s business

clutter,” he said.

The Spear Agency is headquartered at 675 S. Apollo

Blvd. in Melbourne. “Although our office is in Melbourne,

we plan to serve the entire county,” Spear said.

For more information about the Spear Agency’s services

to businesses and organizations, contact Spear at 728–

0210 or send an e–mail message to Chip@!esanow.com.

BRPH promotes architect Bruce Lott to V.P.BRPH, headquartered in Melbourne, has announced

the promotion of Bruce Lott to vice president and manager

of the company’s 30–person Marietta, Ga., office. Lott, who

is a member of the American Institute of Architects, has

more than 37 years’ experience in the industry. He is

licensed in 11 states and has been with BRPH since 2003.

BRPH is an international integrated–services firm

providing multiple disciplines in–house, including

planning, architecture, engineering, interior design and

construction. In addition to Atlanta, the firm has offices in

Savannah, Ga.; and Melbourne, Orlando, West Palm

Beach and Fort Myers. BRPH is listed among the 500

largest design firms in the U.S. by “Engineering News–

Record.” For more information, visit www.brph.com.

Boathouse Discount Marine receives awardBoathouse Discount Marine in Melbourne was one of 76

Mercury Marine dealers out of 4,615 in North America to

receive the coveted Customer Satisfaction Index award

presented by that outboard engine builder for 2008.

Boathouse was founded in Melbourne in 1993. It has a

large marine–supply retail store and offers certified service

for Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude/Johnson, Suzuki, Honda,

Mercruiser and Volvo brands. Boathouse says it is “one of

only a few firms nationwide to be certified to service this

many makes of marine–propulsion systems.” The mini-

mum customer positive response to qualify for the award

was 90 percent. Boathouse’s positive response was 99.3

percent. Steve Naeder, service manager, and his staff were

presented with the award by Robert Moore, district

manager for Mercury Marine.

Portraits of Possiblitis

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MARCH 23, 2009Call Adrienne Roth at 321-951-7777 for Advertising InformationBREVARD BUSINESS NEWS / 14

BBN DIGEST

numbers were pushed higher by purchases of food and other nondurable items.

l Incomes also rose unexpectedly in January. The jump was helped by higher Social

Security checks kicking in; nevertheless, take heart that the 0.4 percent increase was the

biggest jump since May.

l New jobless claims and the total number of people receiving unemployment

benefits both dropped more than expected two weeks ago.

l A huge drop in housing starts has helped shrink the inventory of homes on the

market. When homes sales eventually stabilize, home prices should appreciate at a

quicker pace because there are fewer houses out there.

DealsContinued from page 1

BCC’s Project Get Ready tobe held at its four campuses

Brevard Community College’s “Project Get Ready” will be held March 23–25 and 28 at

the school’s Cocoa, Melbourne, Titusville and Palm Bay campuses.

The free event, titled “Your Passport to Success,” is BCC’s signature high school–to–

college recruitment fair. Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 in Brevard County are invited to

attend. Fun–filled events will provide information about BCC and preparation for life

after high–school graduation.

Project Get Ready will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 23, at the Titusville

campus, community dining room, (building 3); on Tuesday, March 24, at the Cocoa

campus, Ralph Williams Student Center (building 11); and on Wednesday, March 25, at

the Melbourne campus, Student Services Center (building 1). The event will be held from

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at the Palm Bay campus, Gen. Titus C. Hall

Center (building 1).

“Project Get Ready is a hallmark Brevard Community College event,” said BCC’s

Jennifer Blalock, associate vice president for community relations, enrollment manage-

ment and marketing. “We are proud to invite the community to experience our beautiful

campuses, get hands–on support from our staff, and truly become a part of the BCC

family.” She adds, “This event is the best opportunity to maximize all of the financial aid,

scholarship, career services and academic advisement BCC has to offer.”

Jim Ross, BCC’s vice president for advancement and public affairs, said this “event is a

wonderful opportunity for high–school students to learn about the educational opportuni-

ties BCC offers.”

More than 300 students are expected to attend, Blalock said. For more information

about the program, call 632–1111.

Melbourne Alumnae Panhellenic marks 50th yearMelbourne Alumnae Panhellenic, an alumnae group of the national Panhellenic

Conference of sorority women, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a luncheon at noon

on April 4 at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club in Indian Harbour Beach. Fourteen charter

members started Melbourne Alumnae Panhellenic in 1959. All held college degrees and

were members of one of the National Panhellenic Council sororities. The members

participate in fund–raising activities to support scholarships that are awarded to commu-

nity members. MAP’s first scholarship award was $150. During the past 50 years, more

than $150,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to Brevard County students

attending four–year colleges in Florida, and several thousand dollars in interest–free

loans have been administered to career women returning to schooling. For more informa-

tion about the group, visit www.melbournepanhellenic.org.

Murphy’s Carelli receives CBI designationDan Carelli recently received the prestigious Certified Business Intermediary designa-

tion in Louisville Ky., during the International Business Brokers Association and the

Mergers and Acquisitions Source joint conference. Business Intermediaries broker sales

for people who want to buy or sell businesses. Carelli was presented with a plaque

certifying the designation by the International Business Broker Association chairman, for

completing comprehensive business examinations and “demonstrating professional

excellence and superior knowledge of functions and applications of business–broker

services.” Carelli has an office at Rialto Place in Melbourne and is an associate of Murphy

Business and Financial Services, one of the largest brokerage firms in the nation.

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Florida Tech to offer class for job seekersThe Florida Institute of Technology Women’s Business Center will offer a “New Class

for Job Seekers” on March 25. The class meets 10 a.m. to noon in the Link Building (room

323) on the Melbourne campus. The fee is $10. The instruction will cover how to conduct

an effective job search and offer tips for how to stand out from the crowd. Topics include

career exploration, effective communications, networking and interviewing. A free résumé

critique will be available. The instructor will be Judy Gillespie of Career Avenues by Judy.

For more details or to register for the seminar, visit www.wbc.fit.edu/schedule/

schedule.php. A limited number of scholarships are available. If you have questions,

contact Donn Miller–Kermani at 674–7006 or Renee Couperthwaite at 674–7007.

Melbourne Community Orchestra to performThe Melbourne Community Orchestra will present the concert “Spring Fever” at 7:30

p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, March 25 and 26, in the Melbourne Auditorium, 625

E. Hibiscus Blvd. Witold Dobrzynski will conduct a program of classics such as the

“William Tell Overture” by Rossini, plus contemporary music including excerpts from

“Chicago,” “Gershwin in Concert,” and the “Belle of the Ball” by Leroy Anderson. Orches-

tra violinist Miriam Martinez will sing an operatic solo and there will be selections

performed by a classical guitarist. The event is free of charge but tickets are required. Call

952–9949 or visit www.mcorchestra.com for ticket–outlet locations.

Children’s choir from India to performFrom the hills of Manipur, India, the Indian Children’s Choir will be coming to

Rockledge for a concert on March 26. The Rockledge United Methodist Church will host

this unique group of youngsters at a 7 p.m. concert. The event is open to the public. The

Indian Children’s Choir is comprised of Christian youth, ages 8 to 12. People of all faiths

are welcome to attend this concert. Rockledge United Methodist Church is at 1935 S.

Fiske Blvd. For additional information or for directions to the church, call 632–7387.

JPMF to host free workshop on preparing willsThe Jess Parrish Medical Foundation will host an informative workshop called “When

There’s a Will, There’s a Way” on Friday, March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Parrish

Medical Center Conference Center in Titusville. JPMF’s Planned Gifts committee

members will discuss such things as what constitutes a will, information you need to

make a will, tax considerations, and charitable opportunities. Registration is free and a

continental breakfast will be provided starting at 8 o’clock. This event is open to the

public. For more information or to register for the program, call the Jess Parrish Medical

Foundation at 269–4066.

Astronomy lecture to explore the universeFlorida Institute of Technology’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Public Lecture Series

will present “Exploring an Eleven–Dimensional Superstring Universe–Physics or

Metaphysics?” on March 27 at 8 p.m. The free lecture, in the F.W. Olin Engineering

Complex auditorium (room EC118), will be presented by Dr. Marc Baarmand, professor of

physics and space sciences. Although it is difficult to envision things in four or more

dimensions, “there are theories in elementary particle physics that require extra dimen-

sions over the ordinary three to which we are accustomed.” After a brief introduction, Dr.

Baarmand will describe how these theories can be tested in experiments at CERN, the

center for particle physics in Switzerland, in the near future. A 20–minute movie on

CERN and particle physics will also be shown. The F.W. Olin Engineering Center is

located on University Boulevard. For more information, call 674–7717, or visit

www.fit.edu/aapls online.

Special Olympics benefit at Kiwanis IslandThe Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department and the Brevard County

Special Olympics will host the Karin Rood Memorial Stroll–N–Roll, a Special Olympics

fund–raiser on Sunday, March 29, at Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island Park

Road, in Merritt Island. This one–mile event encourages people in wheelchairs, with

strollers, roller skates, or other wheeled devices to join with others for a “moving activity”

to raise money for the Brevard County Special Olympics. Check–in begins at 1 p.m. with a

1:30 p.m. start time. A participant’s minimum $15 pledge will ensure a T–shirt and lunch.

Pledges go directly to the Special Olympics program to fund such items as transportation,

uniforms and equipment. Sponsorship levels begin at $100. Rood was a 30–year volunteer

for Special Olympics who passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease in August 2008. For

additional information or a pledge form, call Nancy Taback at 455–1380.

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BBN EVENTS‘Bye–Bye Birdie’ to play at Florida Tech

The Florida Tech College Players’ spring production is “Bye–Bye Birdie,” the often–

performed musical satire of the fan reaction to Elvis Presley’s induction into the army.

Performances will be on March 27 and 28 and April 2–4 at 8 p.m. in the Gleason Perform-

ing Arts Center, on the Melbourne campus. The play about a rock–’n–roll singer features

the classic musical theatre songs “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to

Do,” “Kids,” and “Rosie.” The lead roles are played by Sebastian Lombardo, Honey

Whitney, Kristina de Blanc and Luis de la Maza. The director is T.J. Kupchick and the

producer is Caroline Gruel. Tickets, available at the door, cost $10 for admission; $5 for

ages 55 and older, and those with a military or student IDs; and $3 for Florida Tech

students, faculty and staff with IDs. For more information, contact College Players at

674–8767 or at [email protected].

Celebration of Dance at Henegar CenterThe Henegar Center for the Arts in downtown Melbourne will present a special event

devoted to the art of dance on Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m. Featuring eight local dance

companies and studios, the Henegar Center’s ninth annual Celebration of Dance unites

the dance community in “an exciting performance showcasing jazz, ballet, tap, bellydance,

modern, and contemporary dance.” Choreographers and dancers from Adelpha, Broadway

Bound, Dance Arts Centre, the Dance Factory, the Dance Zone, Heather’s Dance Studio,

Precision Contemporary Dance and more will perform innovative dances. The Henegar

Center is at 625 E. New Haven Ave. Tickets for the performance are $18 for adults, and

$16 for seniors and students. Reserved tickets are available by calling 723–8698 or visit

www.henegar.org.

Wuesthoff accepting scholarship applicationsWuesthoff Health System Auxiliary will award 15 scholarships to Brevard students

studying for careers in a medically related field. Applications are being accepted for the

2009 fall term. The applications will be reviewed by the hospitals Auxiliary Scholarship

Committee, and judged based on set criteria. The applicants must be full–time students

studying for an undergraduate degree (two or four years), and a resident of Brevard with a

3.0 academic grade–point average, or above. Transcripts of grades must be submitted to

the auxiliary each semester before scholarship funds will be released to the college or

university. Applications can be picked up at the information desk at Wuesthoff Medical

Center–Rockledge, or the volunteer services desk at Wuesthoff Medical Center–

Melbourne. For more information or to request an application by mail, call 636–2211,

extension 2603. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31.

Lanham to debut art exhibit in MelbourneArtist Jerry Lanham will debut a new exhibition of his paintings during April at the

Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne. Titled “Color and Movement,” the exhibit will

feature the “largest collection of Lanham’s original artwork presented in one location.” An

opening reception will held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3. The event is free of

charge and open to the public. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, established in 1975, is

located in the Eau Gallie area of Melbourne, across the street from the Brevard Museum

of Art. The phone number is 259–8261, or visit www.fifthavenueartgallery.com.

Easter event for children in Titusville“Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” will be held at Sandrift Community Center on

Saturday, April 4, at 9 a.m. for children 2 through 6 years of age. There will be a continen-

tal breakfast and egg hunt. Children should bring their own egg carriers, and parents who

want to photograph their children with the Easter bunny should bring their own cameras.

Non–refundable tickets are $3 each for children and adults, and may be purchased in

advance by 6 p.m. on April 3. Participation is limited to 50 children. Children must be

accompanied by an adult. For more information on this program, call 264–5037.

BSO North Guild concert April 4 in TitusvilleThe North Guild of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra will host a concert and dance

featuring the “Swing Low” Big Band at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at the Great

Outdoors Plantation Manor in Titusville. This 15–piece band from IRC United Methodist

Church includes BSO musicians John Kuntz, Brian Foote and Laurie Broadway. Compli-

mentary refreshments provided by North Guild members will be served during concert

intermission and a cash bar will be available. Admission is $20 per person. All profits from

this event will go to the BSO. For reservations or more information, call 268–1093, 267–

8060 or 385–1513, or visit http://nbbd.com/npr/northguild.

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BBN SPECIAL FOCUSHealth First FoundationContinued from page 1patient’s personal physician or the nursing care he or she

receives in the ICU, but adds another layer of support to

ensure the best possible outcome.

Dr. Shaffer says there are roughly 50 eICU programs

nationwide. With Phillips’ purchase of VISICU, he sees

the eICU footprint becoming global. “Phillips has a big

emphasis on remote care. This gives them the opportu-

nity to take their concept worldwide. I think this

paradigm is here to stay. In the beginning we knew it

was a great idea, and we felt the energy and the passion

of those who work in the VitalWatch room throughout

the day and night.”

The VitalWatch team includes a unit coordinator, a

critical–care nurse, and an intensivist. The latter is a

physician who specializes in the care of critically ill

patients, usually in an ICU. Industry studies have shown

the involvement of intensivist physicians can help reduce

the risk of complications for patients in the ICU.

Intensivists have advanced certification training and

experience in critical–care medicine.

Many hospitals around the nation are currently at

capacity. As demographics shift and 76 million baby–

boomers age, the problem is only going to get worse,

experts say. The number of ICU patients will increase as

well as the number of overall hospital patients, according

to a report by the Center for Health Transformation. It is

predicted that the number of ICU patients will double

over the next 15 years.

The eICU workstations consist of four video monitors

and a telephone. “With this system, we can intervene

immediately. We are the first responders to codes. In

reality, ‘Code Blue’ has become almost a non–entity in

the ICU because we are there to resuscitate before things

turn bad,” Dr. Shaffer said. “Code Blue” is generally used

to indicate a patient requires immediate resuscitation.

Health First made an initial capital investment of $3

million to get the program up and running, Dr. Shaffer

said. The annual operating cost of VitalWatch is about

$1.8 million a year. “There is no reimbursement whatso-

ever. But it is the right thing to do. It saves lives and

there are efficiencies.”

Hospitals with eICUs are realizing these clinical

benefits: a lower mortality rate, by 29 percent; a lower

ventilator–acquired pneumonia rate, by 81 percent;

reduced length of stay, by 10 to 20 percent for ICU

patients; and reduced costs for ancillary ICU services, by

6 to 18 percent, as documented in an analysis of data

from 185,464 patients in ICUs at 156 different hospitals.

“Our biggest impact has probably been on how long

patients stay on the mechanical ventilator, which is the

driver of ICU time. We work diligently to prevent

complications during and around the time a patient is on

the ventilator, and we work diligently to resuscitate

people.”

Dr. Shaffer adds, “Our biggest ‘saves’ have been in

common diseases such as sepsis, a blood–stream

infection and one of the biggest killers in the ICU.”

Health First plans to expand its eICU capabilities

with the purchase of four eCareMobile units. Funds

raised from the Health First Foundation Benefit Ball will

go toward the purchase of the units, said Rita Moreno,

chairwoman of the event, which gets under way at 6:30

p.m. at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center at Florida

Tech.

“The Benefit Ball committee members toured the

VitalWatch facility and I think they were surprised by

the technology and the capabilities of the eICU. Now, we

plan to purchase four eCareMobile units to provide

increased ICU capacity at the Health First hospitals.

This is a very interesting and progressive way of taking

care of patients,” she said.

This year’s Ball theme is “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Tickets to the black–tie event are $200 per person and

sponsorships range from $500 to $25,000. For ticket and

sponsor information, call the Health First Foundation at

434–7140.

The Ball’s presenting sponsor is Wellspring Partners.

Other sponsors include Mercedes–Benz, Porsche, Audi of

Melbourne, Coastal Mechanical Services, Space Coast

Pathologists, Bovis Lend Lease, Downs Electrical

Constructors, Holland & Knight LLP, MIMA, Dr. James

and Andrea Shaffer, SunTrust Banks, and Al and

Melony Osterhout.

Sandy Grutta, Health First Foundation coordinator,

said Ball sponsorships are faring well in a tight economy.

“It’s amazing in these times that the community is

stepping forward to show its support. Area residents

really believe in what we are raising the money for and

the mission of the eICU. This program touches everybody

and telling the story is important.” Kim Brown is the

Ball’s underwriting chair.

The eCareMobile cart is the latest technology now

being provided to patients who are in need of critical care

that may be in a non–ICU clinical area of the hospital.

The unit allows any room with network access to become

a part of the eICU network. “The robot–like device can be

networked into the VitalWatch nerve center in a wireless

environment or with data drops,” said Dr. Shaffer.

“We’ve done great things in the ICU,” adds Mike

Gavigan, VitalWatch operations manager. “For instance,

we have lowered our mortality rate, we’ve decreased our

length of stay on the ventilators, and our lengths of stays

in the ICUs. With the eCareMobile unit, it’s going to

allow us to go anywhere in the hospital. It’s going to allow

us to do preventive medicine on the floor. Hopefully, we

will be able to prevent someone from ever going on a

ventilator. Having that capability is priceless.”

The eCareMobile units cost about $35,000 apiece, Dr.

Shaffer said. “It’s a bargain, when you consider the

potential that the unit can bring to the whole health–care

operation. Also, it’s a bargain compared to some other

prototypes in the market.”

Gurtta said there are naming opportunities for the

eCareMobile carts. “For $10,000, an individual or a

business can showcase their name on one of the units. So

far, we have one family who has signed on to be an

eCareMobile unit sponsor (Al and Melony Osterhout).”

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