Health In The Know

The Food & Nutrition Services team — Francisco Rivera, Tara Giovino, Quiana Makell, Chris Egger and Benjamin Chapin — at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital prepare donations for the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition. COURTESY PHOTO

Fawcett Hospital donates surplus food daily to The Homeless Coalition

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has joined a growing number of community organizations that are donating daily surplus food to The Homeless Coalition. The medical staff at Fawcett Hospital recommended this initiative to hospital leaders who listened and implemented.

“Food orders can often exceed demand and this surplus is another opportunity for Fawcett Hospital to help improve the health equity in our communities,” said George Ruggiero, DO, chief medical officer of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital. “Caring for our community often goes beyond the walls of the hospital and we thank our caregivers for recommending this initiative which can have a lasting impact on those we are privileged to serve.”

“Thank you, Fawcett Hospital, for your continued support during this time when the need is greater than ever,” said Tina Figliuolo, chief executive officer of The Homeless Coalition. “Your outstanding contribution will provide nutrition for families, veterans and residents in Charlotte County.”

As part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to the community, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has forged meaningful partnerships and made substantial contributions to local charities, enhancing the collective ability to address diverse health care needs. These partnerships focused specifically on increasing opportunity and access to health care careers, advocating and promoting heart health for all communities and championing positive mental wellness. In addition to The Homeless Coalition, charity partners have included Charlotte County Public Schools, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Center for Abuse & Rape Emergencies, American Heart Association (Charlotte County), Relay for Life (Charlotte County), Habitat for Humanity, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, United Way of Charlotte County, Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Military Heritage Museum, North Port Chamber of Commerce, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Suncoast Blood Centers and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Suncoast.

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $848.8 million in uncompensated care and contributes

$2.1 million to community organizations across the state. A strong advocate for the next generation of health care professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university based health care programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State.

For more information, see HCAFloridaHealthcare.com .

South Port Square earns Senior Living Award

South Port Square, the Port Charlotte retirement community, has announced it has earned the 2024 Best of Senior Living Award from A Place for Mom (APFM), a leading online platform and advisory service for senior care. APFM connects families searching for senior care with a team of experienced local advisors to provide insight-driven, personalized solutions. Recipients of APFM’s Best of Senior Living Award represent the top 1% to 2% of senior care providers across the United States and Canada, based on reviews from those who matter most — residents and families. This designation is awarded to eligible communities and providers that received at least 10 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars or more between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.

“We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team, whose tireless efforts have been recognized by such a reputable organization as APFM,” said South Port Square Executive Director Brian Hess. “This recognition underscores our dedication to creating a nurturing, supportive and engaging environment for our residents, and we are deeply grateful for this acknowledgment.”

This esteemed award is a testament to South Port Square’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and services to its senior residents.

South Port Square is Port Charlotte’s only Life Plan community, offering a wide variety of guaranteed, affordable life plan options and the area’s most comprehensive levels of quality care where residents can age together on one campus. South Port Square has a tenured staff and is centrally located near the Gulf, Punta Gorda and three hospitals. The community is situated on a 40-acre tropical paradise of magnificently landscaped grounds, with upscale amenities including unique cultural programs, endless common areas and multiple dining venues.

For more information, see www.southportseniorliving.com . ¦

The post Health In The Know first appeared on Charlotte County Florida Weekly .