In this role, Velez will provide the foundation for future CRNFA exams as she and the nine other CRNFA’s that were selected from across the country to serve on this committee will travel to Denver, Colo., in March. There, they will review each test item and provide expertise about what proportion of minimally-acceptable candidates would be able to answer each item correctly. Through a statistical process, the results will establish a raw cut score for the exam.

“I enjoy being active and involved in my professional organizations,” said Velez. “This is a wonderful opportunity to make an impact in the CRNFA field and I am so honored I was selected,” the Palm Coast resident added.

The CRNFA certification program is for registered nurse first assistants providing care for patients before, during, and after surgery who are interested in improving and validating their knowledge and skills and providing the highest quality care to patients. 

The RN first assistant at surgery collaborates with the surgeon and the healthcare team in performing a safe operation with optimal outcomes for the patient. The RN first assistant practices perioperative nursing and must have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgment specific to clinical practice. The RN first assistant practices in collaboration with and at the direction of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase of the perioperative experience.

More than 1,500 nurses have earned the CRNFA credential to gain credibility and recognition from colleagues and patients, achieve their personal and professional goals, and enhance their career development. 

We as adults are so connected to time aren’t we?  We are driven by, controlled by, and limited by time…that is very much a part of who we are as adults, and we love it too.  We almost take pride in telling others that we are “busy busy” when asked how we are doing. 

Now, have you ever known somebody who isn’t trapped by time though?  They are different aren’t they?  Have you ever spent  time with somebody who is completely at peace?  They never look at their watch, they never tap their foot nervously.  People who are at peace do such a great job of just being.  It is like they are outside of time. 

Moses asks, “What is your name God?…What should I tell other people, when they ask, what your name is?”  God says, “I am not trapped by time…that is my name Moses.”  I love God’s answer.

She completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at Florida Hospital in Orlando. She started medical school in Egypt, but she completed her medical degree at Xavier University School of Medicine in Atlanta. During her academic tenure, she received numerous honors and scholarships for outstanding academic performance.

In her native Egypt, Dr. Saleh volunteered her time assisting numerous charitable organizations, including teaching Catholic Sunday school, assisting elderly and disabled individuals and organizing summer camps for children.

In addition to being certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Dr. Saleh has a special interest in women’s health and is currently accepting new patients of all ages—from newborns to seniors.

Dr. Saleh’s approach to patient care is empathetic, compassionate, respectful and thorough.  She believes in “whole person” care and considers all aspects of the patient’s health and lifestyle, not just a particular illness or condition.

Her office is located at 1027 Town Center Drive in Orange City and can be reached at (386) 456-1200. 

About Florida Hospital Fish Memorial
Florida Hospital Fish Memorial is a 175-bed full-service hospital providing inpatient and outpatient services as well as 24-hour emergency and critical care. It is a member of Adventist Health System, the largest Protestant not-for-profit hospital system in the nation. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  Florida Hospital Fish Memorial is Chest Pain Accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.  The hospital has been recognized by FMQAI – The Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Florida with the FMQAI Performance Achievement Award.  This honor recognizes Florida Hospital Fish Memorial on work to improve the quality of health care for Medicare beneficiaries during the last three years. The hospital has also been recognized for the seventh consecutive year among the 2011 Orlando Sentinel’s Top 100 Companies for Working Families.  For more information about Florida Hospital Fish Memorial visit www.fhfishmemorial.org.

The convocation ceremony was the highlight of the five-day Congress at which initiation into ACS Fellowship took place. The Congress also featured reports on research-in-progress, postgraduate courses, panel discussions, symposia, and scientific and industrial exhibits. Total estimated attendance at the Congress was nearly 14,000, including approximately 8,900 physicians.

By meeting the College’s stringent membership requirements, Fellows of the College have earned the distinguished right to use the designation of “F.A.C.S” (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after their names. An applicant for Fellowship must be a graduate of an approved medical school; must have completed advanced training in one of the 14 surgical specialties recognized by the College; must possess certification by an American surgical specialty board or appropriate certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; and his or her acceptance as a Fellow of College must be approved by three-fourths of its Board of Regents.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 78,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Dr. Shoukas received a medical doctorate in 2001 from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey and is currently practicing at Lake Mary Plastic Surgery located in Lake Mary, FL.

In 2007, Dr. Shoukas attained board certification from the American Board of Surgery. In 2011, Dr. Shoukas attained board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Shoukas has a strong professional interest in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and holds membership in other professional societies, including the American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association.

Sure, she may not know too much at this point, but she sure knows who is holding her, and how they are doing the holding.  She can even sense the slightest change of how she is being held.  For example, I was holding her the other night while she was half asleep.  As I held her, I walked around the living room while talking to my wife about the day.  I then decided to rest my arms on the kitchen counter top, and boom!  5 seconds after I rested my arms, my baby let out a cry to let me know she didn’t like the new holding arrangement. 

Honestly, how can she tell?  This isn’t the first time this has happened either…I have tested the arm rest thing out numerous times, and she always knows!

My daughter is in total tune with who is doing the holding and how she is being held. 

Now, on a spiritual level:  Are we as God’s children in tune with how we are being held?  Are we so in tune with God that we can feel the slightest change in God’s embrace?  I don’t know about you all…but I need to be tuned up all the time; and just like tuning a musical instrument, a quiet space, and a listening ear are required.

“Be still and know that I am God” Ps 46:10
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27

This award is named in honor Johana Knox, an Orange City resident for 31 years with a tireless devotion to children and those in need. Knox, 80, is probably best known for overseeing the Blue Spring Manatee Festival, an annual community fundraiser. For the past two decades, 100 percent of the proceeds – nearly $20,000 each year – have funded scholarships for students and small grants to local non-profit organizations.

In the spirit of Knox’s dedication to others, this award will recognize, celebrate and encourage outstanding volunteers in Southwest Volusia. Recipients will be identified through a nomination process and will receive the award at an event on Thursday, May 3 at the DeBary Golf and Country Club. The event will benefit Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Cancer Institute patients.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 16. Applications for nominees are available online at www.fhfishmemorial.org, via email at Camille.murawski@fhfm.org, or by calling the Foundation at (386) 917-7197.

As a parent, I clearly understand what my daughter is saying when she says, “Go home daddy…”  She is saying, “I am hurt, and I don’t want to be in this place anymore…I want to be home where things make sense to me and I know all is safe”. 

On a spiritual level:  I believe this to be the same for us and our Father God too.  I truly believe God hears our cries.  I also believe that each of us who know we are God’s children will ask the same thing my daughter asked…at some point, “Can I go home now God…please…home”.

“…and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  Rev. 21:4

All the blessings,
Chaplain Robert

She earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus in Puerto Rico and a medical degree from the Universidad Central del Caribe in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Dr. Torres completed an Internship in Internal Medicine at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, LA. Additionally, she completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at Florida Hospital in Orlando. During her academic tenure, she received numerous honors and scholarships for outstanding academic performance.

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Torres is also certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and is a trained Wellness Coach. This additional training as a Wellness Coach gives Dr. Torres skills in motivational interviewing, reflective listening and apprehensive inquiry to bridge with the goals of coaching. In this role, Dr. Torres creates a collaborative environment that empowers patients to actively participate in their ongoing care, set their own goals and accomplish healthy lifestyles. Some of the topics covered in Wellness Coaching include weight goals, smoking cessation, balancing life, stress and overall healthy lifestyle. 

Dr. Torres is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her office is located at 915 Doyle Road, Suite 306, Deltona. She is accepting new patients and most insurance plans. Her office can be reached at (386) 574-9078.

Sharon Lelfield, Daytona State College Chapter of Association of Florida Colleges Breast Cancer Awareness Month Chair, said the money was raised for the Florida Hospital Memorial Foundation. The funds will be used exclusively for uninsured or underinsured women’s screening mammograms, diagnostic testing and other treatment, regardless of the woman’s age.

“Hundreds of needy women who have lost their jobs, are without insurance or can’t afford high insurance co-pays ask us for help,” said Carol Rumer, Florida Hospital Imaging Center Manager.  “Too often, grants from the government have age or other conditions preventing us from helping area women. These funds from Daytona State College allow us to help women who otherwise would not get the care they need.”

To contribute to the Florida Hospital Imaging Women’s Fund, call (386) 671-4785.

Photo Caption:
Left to right, Sharon Lelfield of Daytona State College, accepts a plaque of appreciation from by Carol Rumer, RT, Florida Hospital Imaging Center Operations Manager. The college’s five campuses raised more than $2,100 for breast care for Volusia/Flagler women in-need. 

This certification award recognizes Florida Hospital DeLand’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the- art standards.

Florida Hospital DeLand underwent a rigorous on-site survey in November 2011. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated the Florida Hospital DeLand Orthopaedic Center of Excellence for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients and families, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

“In achieving Joint Commission certification, Florida Hospital DeLand has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients undergoing Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Surgery,” says Jean Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q. executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. “Certification is a voluntary process and I commend Florida Hospital DeLand for successfully undertaking this challenge to elevate its standard of care and instill confidence in the community it serves.”

Florida Hospital DeLand is the only Orthopaedic Center of Excellence in the area and is comprised of a multidisciplinary team representing surgery, anesthesia, nursing, pharmacy, quality, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietary, and case management. This team approach enhances the individualized, patient-centered care delivered at every stage – from scheduling, pre-admission, and pre-operative care — to surgery, post-operative care, discharge and rehabilitation. Additionally, Florida Hospital DeLand has recently been nationally recognized for being in the top 10 percent for quality in joint replacement surgery.

Along with the hospital team, the physicians who work with the Orthopaedic Center of Excellence perform more than 400 joint replacements a year, with Dr. Mark Hollmann being the top performing knee replacement surgeon in Central Florida, according to floridahealthfinder.gov.  They also continually seek new approaches for various cases, such as the new direct anterior approach to hip replacements as performed by Dr. Royce Hood.  All while maintaining a consistently low infection rate.

“With Joint Commission certification, we are making a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down. Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence,” says Randy Surber, Florida Hospital DeLand Chief Operating Officer. “Achieving Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Surgery for our organization is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care we provide.”

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification Program, launched in 2002, is designed to evaluate clinical programs across the continuum of care. Certification requirements address three core areas: compliance with consensus-based national standards; effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care; and an organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

Photo Caption:
Florida Hospital DeLand Physical Therapist Assistant Norman Shepherd performs gait training with a patient who had a Total Knee Replacement on the hospital’s dedicated orthopaedic wing. Together, they are reviewing her performance on the ambulation board, which allows patients to see how far they are walking after surgery compared to other joint replacement patients, creating a spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie between patients, which aids in their recovery.