An otolaryngologist, more commonly known as ENT, is a surgeon who diagnoses and provides comprehensive medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat and upper respiratory system. Other areas of medical care in ENT includes testing and treating allergies to pollen, as well as hearing testing and management

Dr. Branch received his medical degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, in N.C. He fulfilled his residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

In his early twenties, Dr. Branch served as a sergeant during his four years with the United States Air Force as an operating room technician.  He earned a Navy scholarship for medical school and served as a Lieutenant Commander during his three years of active duty with the U.S. Navy in Orlando and Pensacola.

Dr. Branch has been in private practice in Seminole County since 1996.  He currently has an office in Lake Mary and will soon have office hours in the Orange City area as well.  His new office is located at 925 Williston Park Point, Suite 1001, Lake Mary. He is accepting most insurances and new patients and can be reached at (407) 804-8795.
  
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 and works to provide exceptional, patient-focused care to the Deltona and Orange City community. 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 patient I was visiting was non-responsive at the time of my visit, so her friends responded for her.  They told me all about the patient, their friend.  They told me what she loved to eat, her hobbies…her story. I left feeling like I knew this individual, this person… our patient… even though she was unable to speak for herself.  This patient’s friends made her come alive to me, for they loved her, they loved her story.     
   
What the Bible says about friends:

An individual of many companions may come to ruin, but there are friends who sticks closer than family.  Proverbs 8:24

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

May God bless you.  May you stop for but a moment in order to consider your friends and how they bless you.

The fundraiser is named for a breast cancer survivor member of the group. The Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation and the Florida Hospital Memorial Foundation will use the funds to provide screening mammograms, diagnostic studies and education to qualified individuals who are uninsured and seeking assistance in Flagler and Volusia counties.

Photo Caption: Tracy Dillon initials the check for $10,000 donated to the Florida Hospital Flagler and Florida Hospital Memorial Foundations.

About Florida Hospital Flagler
Florida Hospital Flagler is a non-profit organization with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. Florida Hospital Flagler has 99-licensed beds and employs approximately 900 caregivers, of which nearly 75 percent live in Flagler County.

Florida Hospital Flagler continues to grow with the community and is now comprised of the hospital’s main campus, plus Town Center Surgery, a freestanding outpatient center, as well as an Urgent Care facility at Town Center. Additionally, the hospital will open an outpatient building on Palm Coast Parkway in July 2012. For more information, please call (386) 586-2000 or visit www.FloridaHospitalFlagler.com.

About Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center consists of two campuses: a 277-bed main hospital in Daytona Beach and a 119-bed hospital in Ormond Beach, as well as our new outpatient facility located at the Pavilion at Port Orange. Through our Christian mission of hope, health and healing, we strive to promote wellness of the mind, the body and the spirit. The year 2012 marks our 45th anniversary of serving east Volusia County. For more information, call 386-231-6000 or visit www.floridahospitalmemorial.org.

Sleep deprivation is more than an annoyance or inconvenience to those who suffer from it; the side effects of sleep deprivation are serious and can even be deadly. According to the CDC, people experiencing sleep insufficiency are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity.

“Sleep problems are critically under-addressed contributors to some chronic conditions, including obesity and depression,” said Debra Allison, Director of Cardiopulmonary and Sleep Services. “That’s why we’ve decided to offer the community a free sleep screening.”

From now until May 31, community members can call the Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Sleep Disorders Center at (386) 917-7600 to schedule a time to receive this free in-home screening device that provides real-time results and can be picked-up at the hospital’s Summit Building, located at 1061 Medical Center Drive, Suite 301 in Orange City. No appointment is needed and no preparation is required for this overnight screening.

“Sleep is increasingly recognized as important to public health, with sleep insufficiency linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors,” said Allison. “Unintentionally falling asleep, nodding off while driving, and having difficulty performing daily tasks because of sleepiness all may contribute to these hazardous outcomes.”

In fact, the National Department of Transportation estimates drowsy driving to be responsible for 1,550 fatalities and 40,000 nonfatal injuries annually in the United States.

Insufficient sleep has also been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.

“Hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeats – also known as cardiac arrhythmias – are more common in patients with sleep disorders,” said Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Sleep Center Medical Director and Neurologist Hendrik Dinkla, MD. “Additionally, some studies indicate that sleep apnea and hardening of the arteries share some common physiological characteristics, suggesting that sleep apnea may be an important predictor of cardiovascular disease.”

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 and works to provide exceptional, patient-focused care to the Deltona and Orange City community. 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.

King David in Psalm 19 says this about looking up at the stars:

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”

May God bless you in all ways.  May you stand in awe as you count the stars that are all around you.

This frightening thought, along with the fact that Volusia County had one of the highest drowning rates in Florida, brought multiple organizations together on Thursday, April 19, at the Cypress Aquatic Swimming Center in Daytona Beach. The City of Daytona Beach, Volusia County Health Department, Daytona Beach Fire Department, Volusia Flagler Family YMCA, and Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center banded together with one powerful message: water safety measures must be taken to prevent drowning and near-drowning accidents in Volusia County.

While so far this year, that hasn’t been any reported drownings, water safety should be consider as we head into the summer season, said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department.

“When toddlers drown, it is often a silent event. They just sink. There is no screaming or crying,” Sorensen said. “When watching the pool, we’ve got to keep our eye on the prize at all times. If a child is missing, look to the bottom of the pool.”

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center CEO and President, Daryl Tol, shared Dr. Sorensen’s sentiment.

“One of the hardest things we see in a hospital emergency room is a child who drowned,” said Tol. “That’s why, for the entire month of May, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center and Florida Hospital Oceanside will offer a pair of free door alarms to the community, which can be picked up at either of our ERs.

The door alarms can be placed on exits that lead to pool areas. When doors with these alarms are opened, a loud ringing alarm is sounded, alerting the household that the door is ajar.

“It is our hope that this small step will help preserve the precious lives of the children in our community,” Tol said.

Daytona Beach Fire Department Chief James Bland said that two-thirds of drowning fatalities occur in the bathtub, so residents must not just be cautious around swimming pools, but all standing water, such as lakes, retention ponds, oceans, and even water in buckets or wheelbarrows.

“Any standing water around the house must be emptied right away,” Chief Bland said. “It takes less than 10 seconds and just one inch of water for a child to drown.”

He stressed the importance of learning CPR as well as making sure every child has the opportunity to receive swim lessons.

Teresa Rogers, President and CEO of Volusia Flagler Family YMCA, further emphasized the importance of swim lessons.

“The YMCA has been teaching kids and adults to swim for more than 50 years,” she said. “We will never turn anyone away for not having the ability to pay for swim lessons.”

Photo Caption: Olivia Birkedal, 2, started taking water safety lessons at 11-months-old and shows her swim instructor, Gretchen LeCompte, how she can float on her back in the water.

I didn’t say goodbye that day because I thought it might save me some time, as I had to be at a meeting.  The fact of the matter is, my little girl wants that goodbye in the morning from me. I guess to her it is a blessing of sorts. She looks forward to my hug and kiss before I say goodbye.  She let me know that she needs that goodbye; she needs that blessing.

There is a story in the Bible of a man named Jacob who is said to have wrestled with God and won.  Jacob is known to have said  at one point during this wresting match, “I won’t let go until you bless me.”  Jacob was aware that he needed a blessing, and he fought to receive it. Jacob fought; my daughter cried out. 

We all need to be blessed in different ways and at various times… be it by God or by others.  Sometimes we are the one who needs to do the blessing too…like me this morning… and at other times, we are the one who needs to be blessed…like my daughter.  

Application:  If you are in a leadership position, how are you doing in giving out blessings to those who work under your care?  Fact is, we all have a position of leadership, so we need to be aware of who needs our blessings.  We all answer to others as well, and we need to know the blessings we need in order to function, and sometimes we have to cry out in order to receive them.

Ostarly comes to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial from Florida Hospital. He has 17 years of health care experience, with the last 11 years supporting Florida Hospital in various financial roles. In his most recent position, Ostarly served as the Director of Finance for the Florida Region of Adventist Health System which includes 15 hospitals.

“I am excited to join Florida Hospital Fish Memorial team and look forward to working with them to help support the health care needs of the community,” said Ostarly. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with very dedicated group.”

Previous to his time with Florida Hospital, Ostarly served for the Healthcare Corporation of America, where he held positions as the Assistant Controller for North Florida Regional Medical Center and Senior Analyst of the Florida Division for Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation.

Ostarly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida.

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 and works to provide exceptional, patient-focused care to the Deltona and Orange City community. 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.

“This is a special opportunity to compassionately honor loved ones and pay tribute to the difference they made in our lives,” said Mark LaRose, Florida Hospital DeLand Interim CEO/President. “Whether it’s a friend, relative, the birth of a baby or even a romance, this garden provides an opportunity to take that memory and give it shape, while raising money for cancer.”

Those honored at the event were Wayne Fink, Chris Phillips, Lorraine B Olson, Jeremy Brandon Millhouse, Jane C. Hughes. Tribute bricks were placed in the garden for 2010 Health Care Recognition Dinner honorees Dr. Robert Lankford, and Dr. Lyle Wadsworth.

A May pole was erected in the garden and the names of those honored were written on the ribbons. After a blessing, loved ones were asked to cut the ribbon in honor of the person they had purchased a brick for.

The Memory Garden is designed to allow a peaceful respite to the hospital environment for patients, their families and staff. It is considered a labor of love, respect, generosity and celebration.

Professionally designed, the Memory Garden is a tranquil space for reflection, relaxation and peace. Colorful flowering plants, refreshing shade, a water feature and numerous seating areas complement winding pathways throughout the garden. This garden of peace, tranquility and cherished memories is located near the Stone Street Entrance.

More than 80 individuals and businesses are represented in the Memory Garden. Each tribute item purchased, such as engraved bricks and garden structures, assists in enhancing the cancer services available at the Florida Hospital DeLand Cancer Institute. Tribute items are available year round.

About Florida Hospital DeLand
Florida Hospital DeLand, located at 701 West Plymouth Avenue in DeLand, was established in 1962 and is a 156-bed full service hospital providing inpatient and outpatient services as well as 24-hour emergency and critical care. Florida Hospital DeLand is a part of the Adventist Health System; the largest Protestant not-for-profit hospital system in the nation and works to provide exceptional, patient-focused care to the DeLand community. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, as well as Disease-Specific Care Certified by the Joint Commission in Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Surgery.  Florida Hospital DeLand is Chest Pain Accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers and is a certified Stroke and PCI Center.  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 DeLand, visit www.fhdeland.org.

Celebrating 50 years of health care, Florida Hospital DeLand is honoring their past and celebrating their future throughout 2012. Visit www.fhdeland50.org for more information, contests, historical facts, event details and more.

It took Paul four months to prepare for this intense exam, including a prep course through the University of Central Florida.

“The exam was extremely challenging,” Paul said. “There were roughly 256 questions and it took close to four hours to complete the exam. The exam is computer-based, and once you complete it, it tabulates the score and gives you an immediate ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ result. I have never been so happy to see the word ‘pass’ in my life! I had tears in my eyes and all I could do was smile.”

Paul, a Port Orange resident, had several reasons to aim for this certification.

“I always tell my children, you have to set goals in life, challenge yourself and exceed your expectations. I am their role model and I need to demonstrate what that means, not just talk about it,” she said. “Becoming a certified HR Professional is a goal I set for myself years ago. Being a certified professional allows me to serve Florida Hospital Flagler and the surrounding community with the highest level of knowledge.”

She added that her leadership at Florida Hospital Flagler encouraged her to pursue this goal.

“I am blessed to be part of such a caring, faith-based organization whose leaders provide opportunities for their employees to grow,” she said.

Paul has been Human Resources Specialist at Florida Hospital Flagler for four years.

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About Florida Hospital Flagler

Florida Hospital Flagler is a non-profit organization with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. Florida Hospital Flagler has 99-licensed beds and employs approximately 900 caregivers, of which nearly 75 percent live in Flagler County. For more information, please call (386) 586-2000 or visit www.FloridaHospitalFlagler.com.