Clement Richard Attlee, British Prime Minister from 1945-1951 once said “Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.” His words came to life in a public meeting today where there was plenty of talking. But, unfortunately it is a public meeting virtually no public ever attends. Quick now, can you name one elected official to the board responsible for public health care at hospitals in Lee County?

The Lee Memorial Health System’s Governance Committee of the Whole Committee, (say that fast three times) met this afternoon at 1:00pm. In a marathon meeting the ten elected members talked mostly about when to meet and how often to meet. It was democracy at it’s messy best.

Motion after motion was made and tabled on whether to meet at 1:00pm or 3:00 pm., or 4:00 pm. When a motion was presented to meet at 3:00pm long-time member Frank T. La Rosa threw up his hands. “I’m disgusted with the bunch of you. I’m mad. We’re like a bunch of babies here.”

Sour grapes? Keep reading. The truth is, La Rosa is a court volunteer who supervises and mentors children who have been abused. He has to be in Lehigh Acres at 5:00 pm to help these kids. Many of the hospital board meetings easily go two hours or more. He would have to make a choice if all the meetings were moved to 3:00 pm. The board or the childen. Which would you choose? La Rosa made it clear he would choose the kids and be forced to resign from the hospital board if every meeting was moved to 3:00 pm.

On the other end of the meeting time discussion is long-time board member Linda Brown, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. While La Rosa is retired, Ms. Brown is still a practicing Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. “I have patients in my office right now waiting,” she said after the meeting had gone on more than two hours. “These meetings never used to go on this long. Can’t we meet at 4:00 pm?”

Enter Governance Committee Chairwoman Lois Barrett who has also served on the board for many years. “If we meet at 4:00 pm it will be dark by the time we leave. I can’t drive at night. I will have to resign.”

Someone suggested meeting at night so more of the public could attend. The public is not going to attend if we move it to nights another noted. Someone else commented on the cost of overtime for some LMHS employees.

“I’ve been all over this country,” said La Rosa. “I’ve never seen a board like this.” The board meets nearly every week now, either in committee or as a full board. Board member Marilyn Stout agreed. “We put in a huge amount of time.”

The solution came in a compromise. Full board meetings will continue to be held at 1:00pm, and Planning Committee and Governance Committee meetings will alternate their meeting and meet at 3:00 pm.

Noted British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke (1729-1797) said, “All government…indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act…is founded on compromise and barter.” Most would agree, democracy may not always be pretty, but it beats moving to Cuba.

Other Matters

The Board agreed to issue a proclamation on behalf of Horace Smith. Smith was the first-ever county-wide elected African-American politician in Lee County. Smith passed away last week. He served on the LMHS Board of Directors from 1980-1988. “He loved public service,” said LMHS President and CEO Jim Nathan. “Horace was truly here to represent the people. He focused on decorum in meetings.”

“He paved the way for other African-Americans in Lee County,” said James Green, a current board member. “Horace was a mover and a shaker.”

In other business, Charles Swain, Chief Compliance and Internal Audit Officer presented a detailed report on the Surge in Regulatory Enforcement, and LMHS’s effort to comply during the 4^th quarter. Dr. Linda Brown was pleased with the progress. “We are making changes,” she said. She called Swain’s efforts a form of surge protection against the explosion of regulatory enforcement now going on across the country.

The board also discussed improving evaluation forms for hospital staff, including President and CEO Jim Nathan, and developing greater clarity on board member duties.

According to Britain’s National Health System (NHS), cases of swine flu have risen again with an estimated 78,000 new infections in the past week, up from 53,000 the week before.

The latest official figures for England also show that the number of people needing critical care has jumped substantially, rising to 157 patients – the highest number since swine flu emerged. A further 594 needed less intensive hospital treatment in the past week.

The UK has seen 15 more deaths related to the virus, bringing the total to 137 since June: 97 in England, 25 in Scotland, eight in Northern Ireland and seven in Wales. Nearly half of the deaths have been in people with severe underlying health problems. This group is being given priority in the national vaccination program that began last week.

But the NHS also released some good news saying that estimates of deaths in the worst-case scenario for swine flu have been lowered. The government’s expert advisers on swine flu, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said that new data from the UK, North America, Australia and elsewhere give a better picture of how the virus might spread in the autumn. SAGE cut the estimated death toll in a worst-case scenario from 65,000 people in the UK to 19,000, assuming that 30% of the population is infected.

They stress however, that these forecasts and others in the report are based on a “reasonable worst case” value and should not be taken as a prediction of how the pandemic will develop.

~“If they’re not in a priority group they will be politely turned away”~

Hundreds of people lined up at two Lee County high schools this morning to be some of the first to be vaccinated against the H1N1. Vaccinations were being administered at Mariner High School in Cape Coral and at South Fort Myers High School where nearly 300 people lined up before 10am.

Dora and Henry Phillips and their daughter Cynthia Clements were the first in line at South Fort Myers High School. “We got here about 5:30 this morning,” said Cynthia Clements. “We’ve seen the news reports and we said, ‘no way, we don’t want that swine flu.’ So here we are.”

Oni Montalvo and his son Alex playing catch while waiting to be vaccinated

Dozens of volunteers also came early to help, including Kim Fahringer. “I’m here mainly because they need help,” said Fahringer who is often in-and-out of the hospital due to poor health. She said she is not concerned about getting sick being around so many people getting H1N1 shots. “I’m just greeting them. I’m not kissing them,” she joked. “I’m here to let other people know that we are the ones who should be helping out.”

Volunteer Kim Fahringer listens to instructions

People getting vaccinated had to first register and then fill out a screening form to make sure they are eligible. “If they don’t fit into one of the priority categories they will be politely turned away,” said Jennifer James-Mesloh, spokesperson for the Lee County Health Department. “We don’t want people to come that are not in a priority group.” Priority groups include pregnant women, children at least 6 months old, and young adults to 24 years old.

“The response from the public was very positive,” said Judith A. Hartner M.D., Director of the Lee County Health Department. “Through this effort a lot of people in Lee County are now protected from the H1N1 virus.  This is an easy, simple, and free way to protect you and your family.”

Perry Mesloh takes his medicine

7-year-old Perry Mesloh was the first to get the nasal spray, which is an option for some. The spray is preservative-free and contains no Thimerosal. “It feels like water shot up your nose,” said Mesloh.

5-year-old Jacob Corey wasn’t so fortunate. “He has to have the shot with the active virus in it,” said Jacob’s dad Kent Corey. “Jacob had open heart surgery when he was born and he also now has T-cell Lymphopenia. Basically he doesn’t have any immunity.”

While final counts are not complete, both clinic locations saw a similar number of residents with approximately 1,562 doses given out at South Fort Myers High School and about 1,770 given out at Mariner High School. The Lee County Health Department says it has 9,000 doses available today with more shipments coming.

7-year-old Perry Mesloh gives a thumbs up after being vaccinated

5 year-old Jacob Corey bravely waits his turn

~“we have a limited number of thimerosal-free vaccines available”~

Dr. Judith Hartner explaining how the vaccinations will be distributed

Lee County is primed to begin a vaccination program the likes of which is unheard of in Lee County history. “This is a monumental undertaking,” said Judith Hartner, Lee County Medical Director. “It is not just Lee County. The world hasn’t seen anything like this since 1968.” Lee Memorial Health System currently sees about 120 patients a day with flu-like symptoms. “We’ve had so many in Lee County, we’ve stopped counting,” said Dr. Hartner. “This is an historical event.”

Dr. Tim Dougherty, Medical Director of Disaster Preparedness for Lee Memorial Health System acknowledged they’re hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. “If we’re really hit hard with H1N1 we have plans to move H1N1 patients to alternative treatment areas inside the hospitals,” Dr. Dougherty said.

Dr. Tim Dougherty, Medical Director of Disaster Preparedness for LMHS talks with reporters

Officials from the Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, Lee Memorial Health System, School District, Emergency Operations and United Way held a news conference on Wednesday to explain how and when the vaccinations will be done and to assure people the shots are safe. “It is an inactivated vaccine,” said Dr. Hartner. “It is expected to be just as safe as seasonal flu vaccines.”

In some parts of the country long lines have formed and people have waited for hours to get their shots. Many were afraid the vaccine would run out. But Lee County Health officials say they expect to have plenty of vaccine available. “We have about 9,000 doses available and we’re expecting another shipment today,” said Hartner. The Lee County Health Department anticipates administering approximately 4,000 doses at each clinic. The first clinic starts Thursday October 29, 2009. Officials promise there will be enough vaccine for everyone, but initially they would like to vaccinate only those in the high-risk categories, which include pregnant women, children and young adults ages 6 months-24 years, people who live with or care for children and young adults, health care workers, and people age 25-64 who have health conditions that make them prone to more serious problems from flu-like symptoms. No documentation is required to receive the vaccine.

County officials address reporters during news conference

“Please don’t come early,” warned Dr. Marilyn Kole, System Medical Director for Lee Memorial Health System. “There is no need for people to rush there.” Officials also encouraged residents to bring water, dress appropriately for the weather, and if they bring children, bring games or books to keep them occupied while waiting.

Public comments have ranged from saying the whole issue is overblown, to saying it is similar to previous outbreaks like West Nile Virus. But Dr. Hartner says comparing H1N1 to West Nile virus outbreaks is like comparing a Great Dane to a Chihuahua. “West Nile Virus made maybe 20 people sick,” said Hartner. “Lee Memorial Health Systems sees about 120 people a day right now with flu-like symptoms, likely related to H1N1, and it is not even flu season yet.”

Parents are concerned about their children contracting H1N1, but there are also many parents deeply concerned about the potential effects of Thimerosal (mercury) in H1N1 vaccinations.  “There has been repeated, well done research, that Thimerosal is safe,” assured Dr. Hartner. But some parents, especially parents with autistic children, may remain unconvinced that mercury or Thimerosal in vaccinations is not harmful to their children. And for them there is good news. “We have a limited supply of Thimerosal-free vaccinations available,” said Hartner. Parents wanting Thimerosal-free vaccinations should let officials know their desire when attending one of the clinics.

Linda Pankow, United Way 2-1-1 telling reporters more volunteers are still needed

Visitors  are also being reminded to come to hospitals only when necessary, and never if they have flu-like symptoms. “Don’t be alarmed if someone asks you when you enter a hospital if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or asks you to wear a mask” said Dr. Kole. She also warned that people will start to see medical staff wearing masks. She said this is all part of a plan to keep health care workers healthy and able to care for patients during the pandemic.

“Volunteers are still needed to help during the clinics,” said Linda Pankow, Director of United Way’s 2-1-1 program. About 930 people have signed up to volunteer but many more are still needed. “We’re asking people to call 2-1-1 or 433-3900 if they would like to help.”

~”we need to fund research to find a cause, a cure and effective treatments”~

Could my child have autism, or what is commonly referred to now as ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder? This is a question that is being asked by more and more parents every year. New studies estimate ASD is now being diagnosed in 1 out of every 99 children. Previously the ratio of diagnosis was 1 out of every 150 children, and before that 1 out of 200 children. The growing numbers make ASD more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

Why the continued increase? Answers vary from better questioning of parents, increased population awareness of ASD, improved screening and identification by providers, a worsening environment, harmful chemicals in vaccinations and foods, and the list goes on. “I think these new findings just reinforce the need for private and public sectors to take action against this health crisis,” said Elly Hagen-Memoli. Her 11-year-old son Max was diagnosed 9 years ago with ASD. Back then she said “I had never met anyone with autism. Today when I talk to groups, two-thirds of the room will know someone with autism.”

Regardless of why the numbers are increasing, parents with a child that has ASD rightly ask “what is going on?” “Why did this happen to my child? “What do I do for my child now?” “Will insurance cover therapies?” Unfortunately there are still more questions than answers. However, one thing is absolutely clear, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to the child’s development. Help is available. Two local events are taking place in November that provide education, guidance and resources for concerned parents.

Free Autism Screening for Toddlers

First, free screening for toddlers. The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida, will offer free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 36 months of age.

The first screening will be held Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, located in the Cape Coral Hospital parking lot. Additional screenings will be conducted monthly at different locations across Lee County.

The ASD screening will be conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital at HealthPark, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Jose Colon, MD, MPH, and pediatric psychiatrist Marianne Krouk, DO. The onsite screenings will be administered by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

A physician referral is not required. To schedule a screening, you can call 239-985-3608

One of the screening methods is called the M-Chat (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers). I’ve posted the questions here only as an informational and educational guide for parents.

Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks

On Saturday November 7^th, the annual Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks takes place at Estero Community Park beginning at 10 a.m.

Bryce Itzkowits, along with his parents Brian and Dawn, cuts the ribbon at the 2008 Walk Now for Autism.

If you’ve never joined in the walk you will be in for a treat. The children and their families are truly inspiring, and passionate about building support for more research into ASD.

you can call 813-407-1704 or email SWFL@autismspeaks.org

For more information on the walk, to register or donate just click on this link:

http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=304562

~“I learned to eat better”~

Kia Snyder laughs at body organ's robe

Are you smarter than a 3^rd grader? Maybe not Mrs. McKinnon’s 3^rd grade class at Gulf Elementary School. At least not after today’s lesson plan. Can you name the 7 major biological systems in our bodies? Even if they had trouble saying the words, circulatory and respiratory, most of the children can name most of the body’s systems after today’s Body Safari educational program by the Children’s Hospital. (By the way they’re Nervous System, Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Skin, Digestive System, Muscular System and Skeletal System.)

Chase Dziurzynski squeezes a mock heart while Damian Pegler looks on

Courtney Ranieri, a Child Advocate Instructor from Children’s Hospital was in class teaching them about the body. “Most of these kids don’t know much yet about how the body works,” said Ranieri. “I try to help them know that what they eat affects their whole body.”

During the program kids got to see and touch foam or plastic replicas of the heart, lungs, brain and intestines which drew lots of “uhhs”, “yucks” or “gross” from the kids. They learned that junk food can clog their arteries and that smoking can damage their lungs. During the presentation, the students safari through the human body and learn how groups of organs work together to make up one body system; how to identify the organs of the body; and how to protect the organs from danger. “I learned how to eat better,” said 8-year-old Nallely Preciado.

Courtney Ranieri demonstrates how much intestines we have inside our bodies

Ranieri teaches several children’s health programs. For K-1^st grade she teaches them about Germain the Germ. Students in 2^nd-3^rd grade take a trip through the body in Body Safari. And students in 4^th-5^th grades enjoy the program Mission Nutrition.

Kia Snyder and Matthew Franciso also got to model cloaks with the make believe organs on them. As students correctly identified organs, they came up the Kia and Matthew and removed the organ.

Matthew Francisco shows off body organs' robe

Ranieri asked kids after showing them a mock brain and letting them touch it “how can we protect our brains?” “Wear a helmet when riding a bike,” said one student. “Don’t be a daredevil,” said another. “Don’t take drugs,” said a third. Other questions were “how many servings of junk food should we eat in one day?” Answer: 1. “What can we put on our skin to protect it?” Answer: Sunscreen. “How many servings of fruits and vegetables are we supposed to eat in one day?” Answer: 5.

To reinforce the information, kids were given a pamphlet to give their parents with tips to help their children protect the systems in their bodies.

The Body Safari is an educational outreach program taught bye the Children’s Hospital Advocacy Program and supported in part by the Suncoast for Kids Foundation.

Courtney Ranieri lets children squeeze a plastic brain

If its not hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes or flooding here is something else to think about, at least on a national scale. Earthquakes. And when you think earthquakes you may not connect the dots to federal stimulus money. But the government does. The United States Geological Survey, USGS says it ‘s time for an upgrade to the nation’s earthquake monitoring network and that the money spent will save lives as well as create jobs. More than 75 million Americans in 39 states face the risk of earthquakes, yet the USGS says some of the existing monitoring technology is 40 years old.

The United States Geological Survey, USGS has awarded $5 million in grants to universities and will provide nearly $7 million in new equipment to upgrade earthquake monitoring stations nationwide, as part of the development of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System.

Although Florida is not usually considered to be a state subject to earthquakes, several minor shocks have occurred there. However, only one of these caused damage. A shock in January 1879 occurred near St. Augustine and did some minor damage. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake occurred about 260 miles off of Florida’s west coast in September, 2006. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities.

According to the USGS more than 800 earthquakes have been recorded in the US in just the past 7 days, mostly in California and Alaska.

These updates will help scientists provide emergency responders with time-critical information used to save lives and reduce economic losses. Some of the new monitoring systems will make use of solar power as the primary power source in remote locations, making them more energy efficient than the ones they replace. This program is an extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grants are being awarded to 13 universities nationwide to upgrade critical earthquake monitoring networks and increase public safety.

“These stimulus grants will save lives as well as create jobs,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said today. “More than 75 million Americans in 39 states face the risk of earthquakes. Through the modernization of seismic networks and data processing centers, scientists will be able to provide emergency responders with more reliable, robust information to save lives and reduce economic losses.”

Grants are awarded by the U.S. Geological Survey, and monitoring is a key component of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System. ANSS is a national network of sophisticating shaking monitors placed both on the ground and in buildings in urban areas. The ANSS “strong motion” instruments give emergency response personnel real-time maps of severe ground shaking and provide engineers with information to create stronger and sounder structures for homes, bridges, buildings, and utility and communication networks.

“These investments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide jobs for the manufacturers of the equipment, the geophysical contractors who perform installations, and the colleges and universities that run regional earthquake networks and are training the next generation of earthquake scientists in partnership with USGS,” Salazar noted.

In California and other high-hazard regions, some parts of the current system include 40-year-old technology, and even the systems most recently upgraded date back to 1997. Think about what a 12-year-old computer looks like. Stimulus funding will replace old instruments with state-of-the-art, robust systems across the highest earthquake hazard areas in California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Intermountain West, and the central and eastern United States.

The new monitoring systems will be more energy-efficient than the ones they replace and will make solar power the primary power source in remote locations. Engaging students in the siting and installation will provide a unique educational experience and help to train the next generation of earthquake scientists.

Because the investments will modernize aging equipment at existing stations, they do not represent out-year commitments and the new equipment should lower future maintenance costs. The investments in earthquake monitoring meet the stated Recovery Act criteria of being “temporary, targeted and timely” – spending that will flow directly into the economy.

Universities receiving funding include: Montana Tech of the University of Montana; California Institute of Technology; University of Oregon; University of Utah; University of California, San Diego; University of Washington; Saint Louis University; University of Memphis; Boston College, University of Nevada, Reno; University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University; and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Here is a quick look at the Southwest Florida numbers.

County                                    Estimated % change of taxes levied between 2008/09 and 2009/2010 tax years

Lee County                             (22.33%)
Charlotte County                  (  5.38%)
Collier County                       (28.47%)

With property taxes the major funding source for local services and education in Florida, the Florida Association of Counties has compiled proposed property tax numbers for counties across the state to reflect the reductions and changes that are taking place across Florida.

The Florida Association of Counties points to three major factors that have impacted property taxes in Florida over the last three years: the decline in property values, the implementation of the roll back rates (2007) and Amendment 1 (2008). This year¹ alone counties have reduced revenue by more than $729 million. In three years², that reduction totals $1.5 Billion or 13%. These reductions have resulted in major workforce cuts as well as cuts to all levels of service.

FACT Sheet (Source: Florida Association of Counties)

Property taxes levied in 2009‐10 are reduced by 6.8% or $729 Million from 2008—09

Property taxes levied have reduced by $13% or $1.5 Billion since 2006‐2007
Property Taxes Collected by Counties 2010‐2011 (projected)  $9.3 Billion

2009‐20101  $10 Billion
2008‐2009  $10.73 Billion
2007‐2008  $11.16 Billion
2006‐2007  $11.5 Billion

2009‐10 Statewide Rollback Millage Rate2:              7.0964
2009‐10 Statewide Aggregate Millage Rate:              6.6029
2008‐09 Statewide Aggregate Millage Rate:              6.315
2009‐10 % Under Statewide Rollback Millage Rate:            ‐7%
Average County Proposed % Change in Taxes Levied (2008 vs 2009):       ‐4.54%
Average County Proposed Percent Change in Tax rate compared to Rollback Rate:  ‐5.36%

Est. taxable property values: $1.5 Trillion, a reduction of 10.86% or $184 Billion from 2008‐09.
If no millage rates were changed –this would represent a loss to counties of $1.1 Billion.
Counties with new construction and adjusted millage rates comprised made up 37% ‐ $436 M of this loss, leaving more than $729 million to be absorbed through reduced services.

~”the ER can be a very scary place for kids~”

Cape Coral Hospital’s new Emergency Room opens its doors at 8:00 a.m. Monday, and not a day too soon. Last year the Cape Coral ER saw about 55,000 patients, according to Polly Spate, Director of the Emergency Department. That figure is staggering considering that is about 1/3 of Cape Coral’s population.

“The ER was designed to handle about 35,000 patients,” said Spate. “We’re going from 6 Fast Track rooms to 10 which should help speed things up. Eventually, we’ll be going from a total of 24 beds to 42. “We’re very excited about this.”

Polly Spate ER Director

To show off the new ER, the hospital held a tour and open house from 1-3 p.m. Sunday.

Even with the huge overload Spate said waiting time was only about 29 minutes on average. Even though the doors officially open Monday morning, there is still more work to be done. Spate said construction should be completed by 2011. Ultimately more staff will be hired as well.

The new ER also boasts dedicated pediatric rooms. “We see a large volume of pediatric patients,” said Doug Luckett, Chief Administrative Officer of Gulf Coast Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital. “The ER can be a very scary place for kids.” 11-year-old Samantha Higgins showed off the new pediatric oxygen mask for us. Very stylish.

11-year-old Samantha Higgins demonstrates kid's oxygen mask

To help ease the fear, the dedicated pediatric rooms are decorated with murals, and oxygen masks look like funny characters. The waiting area also has kid-friendly murals and a place to play video games like Pac-man.

7-year-old Kota Long has seen more of an emergency room than any child should. He was born with a heart defect and eventually will have to have surgery when the heart stops growing. “When we brought him the first time, there wasn’t a place that was child friendly,” said Kota’s mom Tammy Amodea. “We really wanted to help have little things like crayons and games for the kids.” Kota’s dad, Charles, says it’s all about giving back to the community.

Kota and his brother Mike playing a video game in the new ER waiting room

Kota and his family partnered with the Pete Renner Foundation to help raise approximately $10,000 for the new ER through motorcycle runs. The foundation helps raise funds for local families with children in medical emergencies. You can learn more about the foundation at www.peterenner.com.

The Fort Myers Track Club has also committed to raising as much as $100,000 to support the new ER. You can find more information about the track club at www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

7-year-old Kota and his parents

“I’ve been with Lee Memorial Health Systems 16 years,” said ER Director Spate. “The past 3 ½ years have been with this ER. This is the product of a lot of hard work by a lot of professional people.” Spate said she knows that sometimes people may get frustrated sitting in the waiting room. “We are committed to the community and patient care. Sometimes, when we get busy, it may not seem like it. But we do care.”

New ER Waiting Room

Pediatric Room

Lee County Emergency Medical Services, the sole non-fire department affiliated entry, earned third place in the Annual Advanced Life Support Competition Sept 28 and 29 sponsored by the Temple Terrace Fire Department. A panel of judges scored each team’s ability to assess, diagnose and perform the appropriate procedures in a limited time period.

The four person paramedic team consisted of Vince Macias and Adam Thompson of Cape Coral; Rex Friedline of Port Charlotte; and Jason Ausman of Fort Myers. Friedline and Macias are credentialed Field Training Officers with more than a decade of experience. Ausman is a Critical Care paramedic assigned to MEDSTAR.

“We learn more in one competition than in most classes taken simply because we are able to apply what we have learned in the classroom to a very stressful situation, and are still able to critique our own performance without any life threatening outcomes,” said Macias. “It thereby makes us the best paramedics we could possibly be.”

This is the fifth year Lee County EMS competed. In most previous competitions, Lee County finished in the top 20 percent. Team coach Lt. Tom Pillsy along with the Lee County EMS training department developed scenarios and prepared the team through simulations.

“By continuing to place and win these competitions, it allows agencies and citizens on a national level to see the level of care offered in Lee County,” said Pillsy.

The competitions are done on the paramedics’ off time and paid for without county funds. Anyone interested in supporting the team with a donation can send money to LCEMS Competition Fund, PO Box 398, Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398.