• Two operating rooms and a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
• 27-room postpartum unit
• 25-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with private family waiting areas
• Private luxury suites with queen size beds
• Dedicated lactation consultant
• Free birthing classes
Our goal is to remain patient-focused while providing the most supportive, nurturing environment possible.
Lee Friedman, M.D.
Randy Katz, M.D.
Barry Schechter, M.D., F.A.A.O.
Jonathan Criss, M.D.
Megan Rowlands, M.D., M.P.H.
Steven Naids, M.D.
Jonathan Lam, M.D, M.B.A.
James Walsh, O.D.
EYE CARE for the E ntire Family
• General Eye Care
• Laser Cataract Surgery
• Laser Vision Correction/LASIK
• Medical & Surgical Retina (Macular Degeneration/Diabetic Retinopathy)
• Diabetic Eye Exams
• Corneal Transplantation, Tumors & Lesions of the External Eye
• Medical & Surgical Glaucoma
• Advanced Dry Eye Care & Treatment
• Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus
• Eye Allergy Treatments
executive editor
Joshua I. Manning
publisher
Dawn Rivera
senior graphic designer
Stephanie Rodriguez
graphic designers
Nancy Pobiak
Yolanda Cernicky
account managers
Betty Buglio
Evie Edwards
Joetta Palumbo
administration
Christina Charles
Shanta Daibee
Jill Kaskel
Carol Lieberman
photography
Abner Pedraza
contributors
Shannon Anastasio
Matthew Auerbach
Jim Barnes
Erin Davisson
Jaime Joshi Elder
Denise Fleischman
Frank Koester
Mike May
Callie Sharkey
Y.A. Teitelbaum
WELLINGTON
12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33
Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: (561) 793-7606
Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.wellingtonthemagazine.com published by Wellington The Magazine, LLC
chairman/ceo
Barry S. Manning
Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2024, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.
A TEAMWORK APPROACH TO ORTHOPEDIC CARE
For more than 20 years, the Wellington Orthopedic Institute, led by Dr. Michael Mikolajczak, has been ready to provide patients with professional care, advice, guidance and surgical assistance. BY MIKE MAY
IMPROVING SURGICAL OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS
The latest technology leads to faster recovery times at Advanced Surgical Physicians, led by Dr. Andrew Shapiro and Dr. Kyle Eldredge. They are passionate advocates for minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. BY JAIME JOSHI ELDER
ADVANCED BREAST CENTER AT WRMC HONORED BY NATIONAL PROGRAM
The Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center was recently recognized as a Certified Participant in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) Program.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
The South Florida Fair recently announced Becky Isiminger as its new board chair and also added eight new board members Among them is Wellington’s Pam Rada, who hopes that she can use her expertise to support the wider community. BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE
WELLINGTON TODAY
The Village of Wellington puts a major focus on getting input from the public on their budget priorities. Outreach is ongoing this month as the village draws up its spending plan. BY JIM BARNES
WELLINGTON HISTORY
This month, our Wellington History series looks at Wellington Regional Medical Center and HCA Florida Palms West Hospital. Both started small in the 1980s and grew to become beacons of healthcare serving patients across central Palm Beach County and beyond. BY JOSHUA MANNING
WELLINGTON TABLE
For something healthy and satisfying, visit Fresh Mangos, now open in the Mall at Wellington Green. The new location is the fifth outpost for this locally owned chain. BY MATTHEW AUERBACH
This month, in our annual health and medical issue, we explore some of the amazing, state-of-theart healthcare services available here in Wellington. We visit with Dr. Andrew Shapiro and Dr. Kyle Eldredge of Advanced Surgical Physicians to learn more about their work improving surgical outcomes for patients, as well as meet adorable service dog Wrangler. We also learn about the work being done at the Wellington Orthopedic Institute, led by Dr. Michael Mikolajczak. Also in this issue, we learn about an important award won by the Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center, and how local leaders are serving the community through the board of the South Florida Fair. Along the way, we check in with the winners of the recent Flavors of Wellington event and peruse the unique equestrian art available at a fundraiser for the Equestrian Aid Foundation.
In this month’s Wellington Today feature, Village Manager Jim Barnes explains the different ways that Wellington goes about getting public input into its budget process, which is now underway for the next fiscal year. Our Wellington History series this month focuses on the early years of the Wellington area’s two local hospitals, Wellington Regional Medical Center and Palms West Hospital. Both of these institutions date back to 1986. Finally, if you’re looking for a tasty and healthy treat, look no further than Fresh Mangos, which opened recently in the Mall at Wellington Green.
We’ll be back next month with our annual education-themed issue. Until then, we hope you are staying cool and enjoying a relaxing summer.
Dawn Rivera
Dawn Rivera, Publisher
Dr. Andrew Shapiro and his wife Ilene of Advanced Surgical Physicians with their service dog Wrangler. PHOTO BY CALEB HARRIS/ KHANNA HOUSE STUDIOS
FLAVORS 2024 SHOWS OFF TASTY FOODS FROM AREA RESTAURANTS
On Thursday, May 23, the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce held its signature tasting event Flavors 2024, now in its 21st year. Several hundred attendees had a chance to sample some of the tasty and diverse foods from a number of different restaurants in Wellington along the four-hour bus route. Each stop provided something sweet and savory, plus a beverage. Winners included: Best Taste, Dos Amigos Tacos; Best Cocktail, Kickback Neighborhood Tavern; Best Dessert, Candid Coffee/Anna Bakes; and Best Stop, Franco Italian Bistro.
(Left to right) Dana Murphy’s bus “Wiggin Out” is ready to party; Asad and Sadfeen Sadiq; Kristen Bardin, Amanda and Anthony Nastase, and Julia Murphy; and Amanda Locker and Lindsay Leventhal.
(Left) Jane Garifo, Dermot Mac Mahon, Maureen Brennan, Peter Bartuska, Arlene Smith, Jack Rosen and Stuart Hack at Kickback Tavern. (Right) Olivia Martin, Tina Martin and Michelle Strassel help check-in guests at Wellington National.
(Left to right) Kelly O’Neil and Joe Pauldine enjoy the tastes of Mole; the Hack Tax bus crew gathers for a group photo; Jared and Kara Heyns, Debbie Martin, and Frank and Stacy Buzzanca; and Maureen Brennan and Helen Sylvester with a sample from Mole.
(Left to right) Kristen Mariani, Katherine Gombos, Tom and Amanda Carpenter and Rudy Romero; Gail Bayly and Elizabeth Marshall at Dos Amigos; Nancy and Cristian Sandoval at Village Music; and the band at Village Music provided live entertainment for guests.
(Left to right) Jacquie Burke, Dwight Smith and Erin Smith enjoy treats from Stonewood Grill, the Poké Company, Keke’s, Anna Bakes and Candid Coffee; Rudy Romero with nachos at Dos Amigos; Mitch Herrick entertains at Kickback Neighborhood Tavern; Howard Borna sings Sinatra songs at Franco; Gail Bayly and Elizabeth Marshall visit Franco; and Diann and Stuart Hack enjoy their final stop of the night at Village Music.
the Nation’s Top Colleges and Universities
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WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY HOSTS ANNUAL INSTALLATION CEREMONY
On Saturday, June 8, the Wellington Art Society held its annual installation dinner at Hurricane Grill. New and continuing board members were sworn in by Cynthia George. President Heather Bergstrom handed out a number of awards and gifts to thank members for their help over the past year. The Wellington Art Society aims to support and promote the arts in the local community. It provides opportunities for artists to exhibit their work, offers art education programs and organizes various events to showcase artistic talents. Learn more at www.
DENISE FLEISCHMAN
WOMEN OF THE WESTERN COMMUNITIES PRESENTS FASHION SHOW
Women of the Western Communities held its “Chic and Sassy” Spring Fashion Show & Brunch on Sunday, May 19 at the Wellington National Golf Club. The event featured fashions from Dillard’s in casual, business and evening wear. There was also a silent auction and ticket auction fundraiser. Mo Foster and Sally Severeid from KOOL 105.5 FM served as emcees for the afternoon, which raised money for Grandma’s Place and Wellington Cares.
(Left to right) Models Susan Vogt, Danielle Cervi, Paula Castro, Erica Marino, Maria Cruz, Ashley Glover, Cheryl Meeks and Stacey Neps; door prize winners Michelle Haines, Mary Lou Bedford and Sheri McCandless with Lynda Chicano; Sherrie Rhoads with her mother, Mary Rowe; and Faye Ford, Teresa Harrington and Anne Gerwig.
(Left to right) Jodie Schmitz and Roxanne Jacobs of Grandma’s Place; Imani Teferess, Allison Bergamini, Martha Rojas, Dahlia Lulley, Tina Karlsen and Lyndsey Gerasia of Dillard’s; Sabrina Zeller, Maria Cruz, Maggie Zeller and Maureen Gross; Lynn Silvern, Harlene Kennedy, Cheri Reed and Peggy McClelland with their goodie bags; and Scott and Mair Armand with Sally Severeid and Mo Foster.
wellington | social scene PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER
WELLINGTON HOSTS ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE & CEREMONY
The Village of Wellington held its Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony on Monday, May 27. The procession went from Wellington Village Hall to the Wellington Veterans Memorial. Spectators lined the streets to remember those who were lost and honor those who served. Several hundred people were in attendance at the ceremony. Speakers included members of the Wellington Village Council and American Legion Post 390. Joining them to give remembrance was honored guest Krissy Robbs. The ceremony concluded with a gun salute and playing of “Taps” by James Sheldrake.
(Left to right) Members of American Legion Post 390 march up Forest Hill Blvd. during the parade; Wellington Garden Club members march with flags; Heather Durand sings the national anthem; Krissy Robbs of American Legion Post 390 speaks; and Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone, Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Vice Mayor John McGovern lay the first memorial wreath.
(Left to right) Post 390’s James Sparrow Jr. and Laurence Williams Sr. salute one of the wreaths; Post 390’s David Roman and Tina Schaffer salute after laying a wreath; James Sheldrake plays Taps; and local veterans gather for a photo after the ceremony.
HORSING AROUND
A Galloping Success Benefiting The Equestrian Aid Foundation
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
The Jennifer Balcos Gallery in Palm Beach recently played host to a magnificent event — “Horsing Around,” a showcase of equestrian-inspired artwork that left attendees spellbound. The gallery served as the perfect backdrop for a gathering that was not only a celebration of artistic talent but also a heartfelt fundraiser for the Wellington-based Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF).
During the opening night of Horsing Around on May 9, guests were treated to a visual feast as they roamed through the gallery, marveling at the stunning pieces on display.
From paintings capturing the adrenaline-fueled excitement of show jumping to serene depictions of the bond between horse and rider, every work of art was a testament to the beauty and grace of these majestic creatures.
Among the standout pieces was a
mesmerizing portrayal by Kyle Lucks Fine Art featuring show jumper Nayel Nassar in action. The dynamic energy and harmony between horse and rider were palpable, leaving viewers in awe of the skillful artistry. Weatherly Stroh’s works also left a lasting impression, capturing the tranquil essence and natural elegance of horses with remarkable precision.
Beyond the visual delights, the event also served as a fundraiser for the EAF. By attending Horsing Around, guests not only fed their love for art and equestrianism but also contributed to a worthy cause, supporting individuals within the equestrian community in their times of need.
Adding to the ambiance were the mint juleps and Polo Girl Cabaret, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and conviviality. With 17 talented artists showcasing their work, including several
local Palm Beachers, Horsing Around provided a platform for creativity to flourish while fostering a sense of community spirit.
The event’s success goes beyond the accolades of artistic achievement. It exemplifies the power of collaboration and generosity, bringing together art enthusiasts, equestrians and philanthropists alike in support of a wonderful cause. This legacy of inspiration and compassion will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who attended.
The EAF provides emergency financial grants to members of the equestrian community throughout the United States who are struggling to overcome catastrophic illness, injury or another unforeseen crisis.
For more information about the Equestrian Aid Foundation, or how you can become involved in helping, visit www. equestrianaidfoundation.org.
(Left inset) Brianne Link, Brogan Zipper and Matty Harrell. (Right inset) Artist Kyle Lucks with avid art collector Sonia Cooper in front of his painting that sold at the event.
FIT2RUN | CHI SPA | PERFECT OIL
THE B12 STORE | KUNGFU MASSAGE
ELLA BELLA COLLECTION
EYES OF WELLINGTON
And The Winners Are...
Best Taste
Dos Amigos Tacos Wellington
FLAVORS OF WELLINGTON A SUCCESS
Annual Chamber Event Celebrates
Wellington Culinary Excellence
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
The robust restaurant community in Wellington recently hosted the highly anticipated Flavors of Wellington event, presented Thursday, May 23 by the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce. This culinary extravaganza brought together local restaurants, cafés, bistros, country clubs and caterers to celebrate the best in food and drink.
This year’s 21st annual event was a resounding success and recognized several establishments for their exceptional contributions to the local culinary scene. The winners, who dazzled attendees
Cocktail Kickback Neighborhood Tavern Best Stop Franco Italian Bistro
with their culinary prowess, included Dos Amigos Tacos Wellington for Best Taste, Kickback Neighborhood Tavern for Best Cocktail, Candid Coffee/Anna Bakes for Best Dessert and Franco Italian Bistro for Best Stop.
Dos Amigos Tacos Wellington claimed the coveted Best Taste award, enchanting taste buds with authentic Mexican flavors. Known for innovative and delicious tacos, Dos Amigos has established itself as a must-try in the Wellington food scene. This victory is a testament to their commitment to qual-
ity ingredients and traditional recipes, which create an unforgettable dining experience.
Kickback Neighborhood Tavern took home the Best Cocktail award, impressing judges and attendees alike with a creative and expertly crafted beverage choice. Kickback’s cocktails, known for unique blends and vibrant flavors, have made the tavern a popular spot for locals seeking a refreshing and
enjoyable drink. This award highlights Kickback’s dedication to mixology and the ability to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Candid Coffee/Anna Bakes won the Best Dessert category, delighting “sweet tooths” with their delectable treats. The desserts available, ranging from rich pastries to intricate cakes, showcase skill in baking and a passion for creating sweet masterpieces. This recognition under-
scores Candid Coffee/Anna Bakes as a beloved dessert destination in Wellington.
Franco Italian Bistro earned the Best Stop award, being recognized for its overall excellence in food, service and ambiance. This bistro, which offers a blend of classic and contemporary Italian dishes, has long been a favorite dining spot for many in Wellington. The award celebrates Franco’s ability to provide an exceptional dining experience that keeps customers coming back.
Events such as these would not happen without many sponsors and exhibitors. This year, Flavors of Wellington was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and a host of exhibitors who showcased their culinary delights and services. Presenting sponsors included FPL, K&E Travel and Celebrity Cruises. The host venue was Wellington National Golf Club. The event featured luxury buses sponsored by local businesses, ensuring that attendees could travel to and from the host venue with ease and comfort.
Other featured exhibitors included Mole Cantina Mexicana, the Polo Club at NPC, Masala Mantra Indian Cuisine, Stonewood Grill & Tavern Wellington, Village Music and Café Wellington, Scout & Cellar Wines, the Poké Company Wellington, the Fresh Pita Club, Keke’s Breakfast Café Wellington, Starbucks at the Mall at Wellington Green, Pura Vida Wellington and Maxwell’s Plum.
Now that you’ve had time to digest all of the scrumptious dishes, get a glimpse into the future as the Greater Wellington Chamber of Commerce has already set sights on the next installment, promising an even more spectacular experience in 2025.
Stay tuned for updates and get set to mark your calendars for next year’s event. For additional information, visit www. wellingtonchamber.com.
Flavors 2024 attendees enjoy a nachos platter at Dos Amigos Tacos Wellington. PHOTO COURTESY MICHELA GREEN/GREATER WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A TEAMWORK APPROACH TO PATIENT CARE
The
Wellington Orthopedic Institute
Provides Expert Treatment For A Wide Range Of Conditions
If you have an orthopedic issue involving your neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles or feet, you don’t have to travel far to find medical help. For more than 20 years, the Wellington Orthopedic Institute has been ready to provide patients with professional care, advice, guidance and surgical assistance, if necessary.
Located on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center, the Wellington Orthopedic Institute team is led by Dr. Michael Mikolajczak, known as Dr. Mike. For more than 12 years, he has been assisted by certified physician
assistant Leah Saporito. They are a dynamic duo of orthopedic care and surgical procedures.
Dr. Mike’s roots in Wellington go all the way back to the 1980s, back when the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and State Road 7 had a flashing red light.
With each patient who enters the Wellington Orthopedic Institute office, the ability to efficiently communicate is the key to a successful experience.
“If you speak with the patient, ask questions and listen, they will often tell you what the real problem is,” said Dr. Mike, whose practice deals with patients
who range in age from adolescent teenagers to those more than 100 years old. “We are now treating three generations of people within the same family.”
“On occasion, a patient presents having back pain, but it is often traced to the hips,” Saporito added.
A major strength of the practice is its teamwork approach.
“I have a dedicated team here,” Dr. Mike said. “My office manager has been with me for 23 years, my X-ray technician has been with me for 13 or 14 years, and Leah has been working here for 12 years or so.”
STORY BY MIKE MAY | PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
Strong customer service is another strength of the Wellington Orthopedic Institute. “We are a boutique orthopedic group. Every patient has different needs,” Saporito said. “We make sure that every phone call to the office gets answered by a person in the office.”
While the business hours for the Wellington Orthopedic Institute are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dr. Mike is available at any time if a patient really needs help.
“I’m available 24/7 for my patients,” he said. “If they need me, I’m available to help.”
While he is an experienced, proven and talented surgeon, surgery is always his last and least preferred course of action.
“We take great pride in a course of action where patients have control over their care,” Dr. Mike said. “We give each patient the best evaluation based on a physical exam and a conservative approach to their care. Surgery is the last option for most patients when exhaustive, conservative care fails.”
When Dr. Mike enters the operating room — either in the hospital or at his surgery center — he is usually assisted
by Saporito. She is impressed by his attention to detail. “He’s very meticulous in every operation,” she said.
The atmosphere in the operating room, while sterile, is serious and upbeat.
“During surgery, I like to listen to music that patients usually select,” Dr. Mike noted. “The music is a background tranquilizer for the patient.”
Successful orthopedic practices, such as Wellington Orthopedic Institute, are often known for their stunning success stories. And the Wellington Orthopedic Institute is no exception.
Wellington Orthopedic Institute staff members (L-R) certified physician assistant Leah Saporito, Wendy Ibanez, Claudia Rodriguez, Jennifer Tesauro, Beate Hernandez and Dr. Michael Mikolajczak.
“A few years ago, a man in his 90s was pushed into our office while in a wheelchair, and he was in very bad physical shape,” Saporito said. “He had a bad hip and didn’t think anything could be done. He was in desperate need of help, and he was high-risk, due to his age. Well, we performed hip surgery, and he recovered. Two years later, he walked into our office unassisted and asked that we operate on his other hip. And we did, with success.”
The Wellington Orthopedic Institute also has worked on many patients within the equestrian arena from around the world — riders, handlers, trainers and owners.
“About 12 years ago, U.S. Olympic jumper McClain Ward suffered a shattered knee,” Dr. Mike said. “I operated on him, fixed his knee, and he returned to competition within a few months. He competed in the Olympics a few months later, and he won a gold medal in the team competition.”
The Wellington Orthopedic Institute also works with athletes in many other sports to repair most extremity injuries.
In addition to providing care for human beings, Dr. Mike has a successful
track record of operating on animals in the western communities, as a volunteer.
“I’m a voluntary consultant with Lion Country Safari,” he said. “I operated on Lissa, the white rhinoceros, about five or six times. She lived for another 10 years. She had a cancerous tumor on her horn, which was successfully treated.”
Dr. Mike is always reminding patients what they can do to stay healthy.
“We are always telling our patients to exercise regularly by riding a bike, going swimming, using an elliptical machine, doing yoga and/or going to a Pilates class,” he said. “Those forms of exercise are easier on the joints. Also, I’m always reminding my patients about making better footwear decisions.”
He understands the importance of his patients maintaining a high quality of life and is committed to making that a priority. “Joint mobility and balance are the keys to life,” Dr. Mike said.
In addition to providing words of wisdom to his patients, he practices what he preaches.
“I try to keep myself in good physical shape. I currently enjoy biking, swimming and playing golf,” Dr. Mike add-
ed. “I played competitive basketball and baseball until I was in my 50s.”
Another positive influence was his father.
“My dad was a master tool and die maker,” Dr. Mike said. “Having to deal with that kind of equipment and mechanical knowledge helped me with my orthopedic skills.”
Even though Dr. Mike admits that he’s now in the “autumn” of his life, he has no plans to slow down, as he enjoys helping residents of the western communities.
Through the years, Dr. Mike has been active in the local hospital and community growth. He has served on multiple hospital staff positions at Wellington Regional Medical Center during his tenure. From a present member of the orthopedic steering committee and active teaching staff, he has served as chief of surgery and past chief of staff.
“I feel voluntary positions helped grow the hospital, community and medical staff,” Dr. Mike said.
The Wellington Orthopedic Institute is located at 10115 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 102, on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center. For more information, call (561) 670-2010 or visit www.orthowellington.com.
Dr. Michael Mikolajczak and certified physician assistant Leah Saporito go over a patient’s X-rays.
Dr. Michael Mikolajczak at his desk.
Beautiful, Healthy You!
Brad P. Glick, DO, MPH and Associates
Brad P. Glick, DO, MPH, FAAD
Irina Milman, DO, FAAD
Paloma Reiter, DO, FAAD
Justin Rubin, DO, FAAD
Sheril Campbell, LA, MA
(Licensed Aesthetician)
Brianna Victoria, LA, MA
(Licensed Aesthetician)
Paloma Reiter DO, MHS
Justin Rubin DO, FAAD Irina Milman DO, FAAD
IMPROVING SURGICAL OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS
Latest Technology Leads To Faster Recovery Times At Advanced Surgical Physicians
STORY BY JAIME JOSHI ELDER | PHOTOS BY CALEB HARRIS / KHANNA HOUSE STUDIOS
In 200 A.D., the Mayan civilization was in its infancy, the global population reached 257 million (less than the current population of the United States) and Leonidas of Alexandria started advocating for incision and cautery for breast cancer treatment — a process that became the standard of surgical care for the next 15 centuries.
However, over the past two decades, advances in surgical technology have ac-
celerated at a dizzying pace. Surgeons have evolved from using scalpels to laser scalpels to operating the console of the da Vinci robot, a minimally invasive system that mirrors a surgeon’s hand movements while also delivering high-resolution, magnified images of what is being operated on.
Dr. Andrew J. Shapiro, medical director of Advanced Surgical Physicians in Wellington and the Comprehensive
Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center, is a passionate advocate for minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery and advancements in breast cancer research. In 2023, he completed his 1,000th surgery with the da Vinci system and advocates strongly for the technology.
“I first started working with the da Vinci system in 2012,” Shapiro said. “As an advocate of ensuring the best possible
(Top) Dr. Kyle Eldredge and Dr. Andrew Shapiro. (Inset) The doctors with staff members Jacki, Amanda, Sher, Liz and Ilene at Advanced Surgical Physicians.
Dr. Andrew
and
outcomes for my patients, I saw that this technology had the potential to not only improve surgical outcomes, but also facilitate quicker recovery times and reduced hospital stays.”
This mentality is at the heart of his practice, Advanced Surgical Physicians. In addition to utilizing the da Vinci system, Shapiro and his partner, Dr. Kyle Eldredge, also employ traditional open surgery and laparoscopic techniques to treat the full range of general surgery conditions, including but not limited to breast cancer and benign breast diseases, gallbladder disorders, anorectal and colon conditions, as well as the treatment of pilonidal disease, melanoma and other skin cancers.
“Minimally invasive robotic surgery is used for so many different procedures, ranging from general surgery like we do at Advanced Surgical Physicians to gynecologic surgery like hysterectomies and urology procedures like prostatectomies and nephrectomies,” Shapiro said. “The procedure only uses small incisions, so it’s less traumatic on the patient’s body. This means less pain and blood loss. It
means fewer complications and less scarring than with traditional surgery.”
This past April, Shapiro and Eldredge were each awarded accreditation as Surgeons of Excellence in Robotic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation.
“This accolade reflects our practice’s continual effort to surpass the expected standards and lead in the development of safer, more effective surgical treatments,” Shapiro said.
As general surgery specialists, Shapiro and Eldredge both treat patients with a multitude of conditions, which can include: skin and soft tissue such as the breasts; surgical treatment of cancer; surgical treatment of traumatic injuries; care of critically ill patients who need surgery; the head and neck; the abdomen and its contents, such as the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, duodenum, the tail of the pancreas and the transverse colon; the endocrine system (hormones and glands); and the digestive tract.
They are also involved with their patients from the initial evaluation to prep-
ping for surgery, performing the procedure and post-operative management.
“There is no greater relationship in medicine than a surgeon and their patient,” Eldredge said. “What inspired me to become a general surgeon was the ability to take complete care of a patient from the very beginning. From initially diagnosing what is ailing them to completing surgery and alleviating them of their pain or illness to watching them recover and feel better.”
Eldredge started his medical journey as an emergency medical technician and saw first-hand the difference that efficient and calculated care makes in the health and well-being of a patient. While in medical school at Emory University in Atlanta, he was awarded a fellowship in Robotic Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery and continues to serve Palm Beach County’s western communities with excellence in this field.
The strategic implementation of patient care in almost every area of the body is also what inspired Shapiro to pursue a general surgery specialty, as it echoed the training he received in the military.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Shapiro completed his residency in general surgery at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and went on to serve as chief of the Department of Surgery at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital in Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and was awarded a Combat Medic badge, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
“The ability to serve my country was my honor, but the ability to provide medical care to our brave men and women fighting for our freedom? That was my distinct privilege,” he said. “My career as a military surgeon prepared me for almost every surgical contingency, and I appreciate all the support we’ve received here in Wellington as a military
Shapiro
staff member Liz work together assisting a patient.
family. It has a deep sense of community and is a great place to support and feel supported.”
Shapiro’s service didn’t end upon his
honorable discharge from the army, and he continues to support his community today through philanthropic means.
In addition to hosting a 5K race to benefit the local nonprofit organization Clinics Can Help, which collects and redistributes durable medical equipment and supplies to families in need, Shapiro also works as a trainer with New Horizons Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization that partners trained dogs with the disabled, mostly in the area of wheelchair and mobility assistance.
“Andrew loves dogs and understands the positive impact a dog can have on someone’s life,” said Ilene Shapiro, Dr. Shapiro’s wife and office manager at Advanced Surgical Physicians. “Wrangler, our golden retriever from New Horizons Service Dogs, works with our patients at the office as an emotional support dog. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a lifechanging event, and patients and their families experience so much anxiety during this time. Wrangler works
as an emotional support animal at the practice and helps bring about a sense of peace and calm. Both staff and patients at the practice love him.”
On top of all of this, and spending time with his family, Shapiro makes the time to serve as a voluntary assistant professor of surgery at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.
“I was raised believing in the importance of service and community stewardship,” Shapiro said. “Both my wife and I believe that we are better when we work together in service to others. We try to reinforce these values both with our children and in our medical practice. We have traveled all over the country and are proud to call Palm Beach County home, and we are committed to providing the highest standards of care, bringing our patients options for the best health outcomes.”
To learn more about Advanced Surgical Physicians, visit www.toplinemd.com/ advanced-surgical-physicians.
Dr. Andrew Shapiro works closely with New Horizons Service Dogs. Shown here, service dog Wrangler jumps up to greet Jacki at the front desk.
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A FOCUS ON PATIENT CARE
The Advanced Breast Center At Wellington Regional Medical Cen Honored By National Program
The Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center was recently recognized as a Certified Participant in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) Program. This distinguished honor represents a commitment by the breast center to provide the highest level of quality breast health care to patients.
Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, expressed her pride in the achievement.
“This certification is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our
team,” Tahan said. “We are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care, and this recognition reinforces our efforts and the positive impact we are making in our community.”
Measuring and comparing quality performance is essential in assessing patient care and allocating resources where improvement is desired. In today’s dynamic healthcare industry, breast centers are faced with providing quality care while simultaneously keeping costs under control. A center’s staff must not only be familiar with existing standards
of care, but they must also be aware of new advances in technology. The Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center has taken a major step to ensure the program provides the best possible quality care to patients.
“Being recognized as a Certified Participant in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program is a significant accomplishment,” said Dr. Andrew Shapiro, medical director of the Advanced Breast Center. “It reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in breast health care and our dedication
to adopting the latest advancements in medical technology and treatment protocols.”
As an accredited breast cancer program, Wellington Regional Medical Center has been recognized nationally as a leader in breast imaging and the treatment of breast cancer. As an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, WRMC has demonstrated excellence in mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI of the breast, as well as stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI-guided breast biopsies.
Dr. Sandra Mondro, a radiologist at the Advanced Breast Center, highlighted the importance of continuous improvement.
other participating breast centers across the country.
health care for the general public through a network of diverse professionals dedicated to the active exchange of ideas and resources. It serves as an informational resource and provides support services to those rendering care to people with breast diseases through educational programs, newsletters, a national directory and patient forums. Learn more at www.nqmbc.org.
“This certification underscores our commitment to not only meeting but exceeding the national standards in breast health care,” Mondro said. “Our goal is to ensure that every patient receives personalized, state-of-the-art care tailored to their specific needs.”
Launched in April 2005 and now used in 45 states, the NQMBC program offers facilities providing breast health care the ability to track and measure breast center performance in more than 40 individual quality indicators. The program has been validated by multiple peer-reviewed medical journal publications. The most compelling component of the program is the ability of participants to enter their data and immediately compare their performance with
The National Consortium of Breast Centers is proud to recognize the Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center as a Certified Participant. The facility will continue in its commitment to provide the highest quality care to its patients and work on keeping up a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence.
The National Consortium of Breast Centers promotes excellence in breast
Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 235-bed, acute care hospital providing high-quality healthcare services to the residents of central Palm Beach County since 1986. As a community hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission, WRMC prides itself on its continued commitment to remain on the forefront of advanced technologies and expand programs and services to meet the needs of the growing community it serves.
Learn more about the Advanced Breast Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center at www.wellingtonregional.com.
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SERVING THE WIDER COMMUNITY
South Florida Fair Installs New Chair And Eight New Board Members, Including Wellington’s Pam Rada
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
The South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions Inc. recently announced Becky Isiminger as the new chair of its board of directors and also added eight new members to its board. They were installed at the fair’s annual meeting on Thursday, April 25.
Among the new board members is Wellington’s Pam Rada, who hopes that she can use her expertise to support the wider community.
“With my background and experience, I plan to leverage my skills by joining the South Florida Fair’s marketing committee and providing feedback on their already robust marketing program,” Rada said. “My goal is to help create compelling narratives that highlight the fair’s unique offerings and engage the community in meaningful ways. By doing so, I aim to enhance the fair’s outreach and ensure it continues
to captivate and connect with a diverse audience.”
Rada’s career spans more than 15 years of marketing, public relations and sales experience. She currently oversees the marketing, advertising and community outreach for Wellington Regional Medical Center. Prior to healthcare, Rada served as a marketing director in the shopping center industry.
“I am particularly excited to collaborate with the South Florida Fair’s marketing team to learn about and enhance their digital strategies for reaching a larger audience,” she explained. “Another initiative I am passionate about is contributing to special events and programs that celebrate the cultural diversity of South Florida. These projects will allow us to connect with a broader community and showcase the vibrant cultural community that defines our region.”
Rada believes that her work at Wellington Regional fits well with her volunteer work with the South Florida Fair.
“At Wellington Regional, we pride ourselves on providing care you can count on to all members of the community,” she said. “We’ve extended this commitment to the South Florida Fair by sponsoring hand-washing stations and emergency services, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. My experience in community outreach will help me foster strong connections and ensure that our engagement efforts at the fair reflect the same dedication to inclusivity and support.”
Rada hopes to help expand the reach of the South Florida Fair beyond its traditional communities of support.
“One of the biggest opportunities for growth lies in expanding our reach into Broward County through digital trans-
Shawna Ahmad Yinett Florentino
Ilan Kaufer Charity Lewis
Chris McAllister
Pam Rada Frank Sardinha III Brannan Thomas
Becky Isiminger
“My goal is to help create compelling narratives that highlight the fair’s unique offerings and engage the community in meaningful ways. By doing so, I aim to enhance the fair’s outreach and ensure it continues to captivate and connect with a diverse audience.”
— Pam Rada
Healthcare. Beyond his professional commitments, he is deeply involved in community service, dedicating 13 years as a volunteer at the South Florida Fair.
formation. By leveraging new technologies and digital marketing strategies, we can effectively attract the Broward audience,” she said regarding the fair. “Additionally, enhancing our sustainability practices presents a significant chance to make the fair more eco-friendly and appealing to environmentally conscious attendees. I aim to contribute by bringing innovative ideas and best practices from my marketing background, fostering community partnerships, and driving initiatives that promote growth, inclusivity and sustainability.”
On the fair’s board, Isiminger replaces outgoing chair Robert Weisman. As the new chair, Isiminger is responsible for leading the 106-member volunteer board of directors and working closely with the executive staff of the fair to ensure the continued success of the nonprofit organization.
For the past 20 years, Isiminger has served as the corporate secretary/treasurer for Isiminger & Stubbs Engineering, overseeing the financial department. She has been a director at the fair since 2005 and a trustee since 2012. Beyond the fair, she currently serves on the Quantum House Board of Directors, is a past president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches and is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach.
Aside from Rada, other new board members are Shawna Ahmad, Yinett Florentino, Ilan Kaufer, Charity Lewis, Chris McAllister, Frank Sardinha III and Brannan Thomas.
Ahmad has been a Florida educator for 29 years. Currently, she teaches and learns with academically progressive high school students and colleagues at Seminole Ridge High School. Her goal is to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity and kindness.
Florentino is a small business owner, providing consultancy services in the administrative realm. With a background in business, nonprofit organizations, marketing and accounting, she is passionate about helping and supporting business leaders lead with purpose in both the profit and nonprofit sectors. Her interests include leadership, business development and innovation.
Kaufer serves as the external affairs manager for Florida Power & Light Company. In that role, he manages external relations for portions of Palm Beach County and all of Okeechobee County. He has worked for FPL since 2009 and has served the company in various roles.
Lewis works as the civic engagement supervisor for the City of West Palm Beach. With many years of experience in fulfilling multifaceted roles in customer and public service, in both the public and private sector, she possesses a unique blend of communications, marketing and public relations expertise.
McAllister is a registered nurse with more than a decade of experience in the emergency department, currently serving as a team manager at VITAS
Sardinha is a practicing attorney in Palm Beach Gardens at Loren & Kean Law. A proud Palm Beach County native, he has been attending the South Florida Fair since elementary school. Since 2005, he has volunteered for the Florida American Legion Boys State, serving as its executive director for several years, and on its board of directors since 2018.
Thomas is the director of community relations for U.S. Sugar. In this role, he manages the company’s community support and engagement initiatives, serving the Glades and coastal communities where the U.S. Sugar people live and work. He is responsible for overseeing U.S. Sugar’s generous community outreach efforts.
The South Florida Fair is produced by the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions Inc., a nonprofit organization, and has a longstanding tradition of raising funds for educational and charitable purposes. The 2025 South Florida Fair will be held Jan. 17 through Feb. 2. The fair staff also present many additional events throughout the year.
For additional information about the fair, call (561) 793-0333 or visit www. southfloridafair.com.
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BY JIM BARNES, WELLINGTON VILLAGE MANAGER
The Village of Wellington puts a major focus on getting input from the public on their budget priorities. Outreach is ongoing this month as the village draws up its spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
WELLINGTON SEEKS INPUT ON BUDGET PRIORITIES
The Village Uses Online Tools And Public Workshops To Gather Feedback From Residents
Wellington has always worked to engage its residents and businesses in its annual budget process. From budget surveys to traditional in-person workshops, we have continually worked to gather as much input into our budget development as possible. In 2023, we launched additional simulation tools, such as “Balancing Act,” in an effort to expand outreach. The simulation ties the village’s budget to its strategic priorities — the big-picture goals of the community. Connecting spending levels to these goals provides yet another layer of contextual information to budget engagement opportunities for residents.
“Our simulation is currently organized by strategic objectives,” said Christine Wadleigh, the village’s budget director. “The services our programs offer village-wide are all categorized into ‘service objectives.’ Using strategic objectives adds another layer to understanding how a department serves the community and the delicate reality of allocating funding.”
The village’s efforts to align its budget to its strategic objectives demonstrate how we strive to implement new ways of thinking about the budgeting process and use technological advances to build caring and resilient communities, con-
tinue transparency and reverse declining trust in government.
The goals of Wellington’s budget public engagement initiative are to build trust in government decisions; get information on public priorities; gain familiarity with budget allocation areas and aid understanding of budget tradeoffs; and align public expectations with what a government can realistically accomplish.
In order to enhance engagement in the budget process, the interactive tool Balancing Act features a simulation of the budget. In this tool, respondents interact with the proposed General Fund budget by revenue type and expenditure area, and the respondent may increase or decrease spending. Increases in spending indicate priorities, and any additions have to be offset elsewhere in the budget to balance. Open comment fields are included to gather freeform feedback to distribute to the Wellington Village Council and senior staff.
Historically, local governments have relied on a budget process that favors addressing short-term priorities over longrange planning. For more than two decades, Wellington has moved away from incremental processes into a more integrated approach. This is a result of the council’s responsible recognition of budget challenges on the horizon: the village’s revenue growth wasn’t keeping pace with its expenses. Decisions regarding projects, programs and services involve determining cost cuts or revenue increases, and we wanted residents to understand the reality of our budget challenge.
It was also apparent that the traditional method of community outreach around the budget wasn’t cutting it. The village was spending immense staff time engaging small crowds of repeat attendees. We needed better, more diverse feedback from more residents to make informed decisions.
Since then, our budget engagement has become an almost year-round activity, with different emphases at different points in the budget process. Early in the fiscal year, we launch a simulation with a preliminary budget and use the simulation tools to have our departmental staff prioritize their budget preparation process. This first cut is based on gauging broad priorities and determining how to resolve tough potential tradeoffs. Additional rounds accompany the proposed budget so the public and elected officials can both see the rationale for initial decisions and provide high-level input.
In addition to asking residents to weigh in on how to best balance the budget, we have also used the budget tool Taxpayer Receipt that shows residents how much of their total tax bill goes toward different areas of village operations like debt service or recreation.
These simulation tools help us create more constructive, informative conversations about the budget and engage citizens in a process that is often lacking in transparency.
The primary benefit we see as a village with Balancing Act is direct feedback from our residents. The simulations take a dense and dull subject and make it
more engaging, understandable and exciting. We also can begin to explain the connections to revenues and expenditures and the relationships of a balanced budget. It also enables resident input to be captured independently, where residents can work on the simulation on their own, and allows for interaction in group settings, which we do with community groups. We are currently changing when we engage our residents with simulation. We are getting residents involved in the process sooner, and we hope to see a continued growth in engagement and participation.
Online public engagement evolved from a nice-to-have to need-to-have feature of government as resident schedules became busier, precluding them from participating in traditional community meetings. The interactive tools we use also give residents a quick and simple way to provide input on capital project prioritization, given that we also have more projects than available funding.
It is safe to say our residents are getting accustomed to simulation tools as part of the annual budgeting process. We continue to see increasing participation numbers. We will continue to look at ways to increase participation in our in-person and online opportunities. Our residents love to provide input, and our online engagement efforts are becoming an annual part of capturing their voices.
Wellington’s budget public engagement tools will launch this month and continue through mid-August. The simulation results will be presented in the budget adoption hearings in September.
The Village of Wellington works hard to get resident engagement in the budget process.
HOSPITALS ARRIVE TO SERVE THE WELLINGTON AREA AND BEYOND
The Two Major Medical Hubs
Serving The Greater Wellington Community Both Date Back To 1986
BY JOSHUA MANNING
Wellington Regional Medical Center and HCA Florida Palms West Hospital started small in the 1980s and grew to become beacons of healthcare serving patients across central Palm Beach County and beyond. This month we go back in time to the early 1980s, where medical procedures meant a long trek east for Wellington residents.
It was a banner year for local healthcare in 1986, when, after years of planning, two hospitals opened to serve the Wellington area.
Originally small outposts on large tracts of land, Wellington Regional Medical Center and HCA Florida Palms West Hospital have grown exponentially over the past four decades, now offering the most state-of-the-art care available to residents who once had to trek 40 minutes or more to the coast for even the most basic medical procedures.
However, back in the early years of the western communities, that was exactly what regional officials wanted. These local hospitals, now anchors in the Wellington economy, had to fight state regulators and county officials for years before being awarded the necessary approvals to build.
The national companies that built the two hospitals in the Wellington area still operate them today. In the case of WRMC, that would be Pennsylvaniabased Universal Health Services (UHS), and in the case of Palms West Hospital, it’s Tennessee-based Hospital Corporation of America, now HCA Healthcare.
WRMC has provided a wide array of healthcare services to the residents of central Palm Beach County since 1986. It started with the vision of UHS founder and Executive Chairman Alan B. Miller, said Ben Boynton, who served for years as a hospital board member.
“He chose that parcel of land based on the growth of what Wellington was envisioned to be,” Boynton said of Miller. “There were a lot of people who doubted his foresight on that property, but he pushed through as a visionary.”
Miller recalled observing the development of Wellington in the 1970s, noting that the population was growing rapidly.
“By 1986, three local doctors decided that the growing communities on the western side of the county needed a community hospital,” Miller recalled. “The doctors entered into negotiations with a number of major corporations but selected UHS to turn their vision into a reality. When UHS opened Wellington Regional in 1986, the population was growing at a rate of 50 percent.”
Dr. Jeffrey Bishop was the first physician working at the new hospital.
“I watched it being built. I was doing my internship at the old Humana Hospital,” Bishop recalled. “The doctors who opened that hospital — Dr. Harold Kirsh, Dr. Michael Longo and Dr. Albert LaTorra — recruited me. These guys were all DOs, and they wanted to open up an osteopathic hospital in the western communities.”
That dream was accomplished working with UHS. The company’s represen-
tative overseeing the project was Richard Wright. “They recruited me to open a practice in the western communities,” Bishop said. “My first office was on the third floor of the hospital before the medical buildings were built.”
Miller noted that the doctors — Longo, LaTorra and Kirsh — owned the certificate of need (CON) required to build the hospital and worked with UHS to develop the project, while developer Bruce Rendina helped the company acquire the land.
The groundbreaking for what became Wellington Regional Medical Center in 1986. Shown are founding doctors Harold Kirsh, Michael Longo and Albert LaTorra, along with UHS CEO Alan B. Miller (right). Also shown are Richard Wright of UHS and Royal Palm Beach Mayor Sam Lamstein.
“We are always evaluating the oppor tunities within key markets across the U.S. to determine where there is healthcare need that we could address,” Miller said. “In the case of Palm Beach County, we had been monitoring the possibility of acquiring land in that region for several years. When the chance to acquire the land presented itself, we took swift action to seize the opportunity.”
Miller noted that in 1986, both hospitals were under construction at the same time.
“Community members expressed questions and were not certain that two hospitals were needed,” he recalled. “However, we had data indicating that the community would grow and that we would meet the need of future growth.”
In the early years, the main issue that Bishop recalled was keeping the place full. “There were days where patients from my practice were the only ones in the hospital,” he said, adding that competition was fierce with Palms West Hospital, which had already opened. “The big concern was if there’s a need for two hospitals in the western communities, but obviously, some people had good foresight.”
Bishop recalled the equestrianthemed décor and high-end caterer that
ran the food service during the early years. “People came in off the streets to eat there,” he said.
He is very proud of how WRMC has grown over the past four decades.
“It has developed into a full-fledged community hospital that serves the community in a great manner,” said Bishop, who served on the hospital’s board for 25 years, including five as chair. “It has all kinds of specialty services, such as the NICU and a huge emergency department. It’s a certified stroke center, does cardiac catheterization and robotic services. They do the full gamut of what a hospital does now.”
Bishop also served as chief medical officer and program director for the hospital’s family medicine residency program, among other roles. He is also proud of his work developing the surgery and medical peer review committees.
Kevin DiLallo served as CEO of the hospital during its largest expansion years, from 1997 to 2010.
“I was there during the largest growth in the hospital’s history,” recalled DiLallo, who is now vice president of development for UHS and overseeing the construction of a new hospital for the company in Palm Beach Gardens. “We built medical offices one, two,
three and four. We put the front tower on. We built the new emergency room. We built the Level III NICU, which is now named after me. There was massive growth during those years.”
During his time at the hospital, DiLallo saw a very distinct change underway, as Wellington stopped being somewhere “way out west” and became much closer to the center of life in Palm Beach County. Some of this may have been tied to the opening of the Mall at Wellington Green, just across the street.
“There was tremendous growth of the medical staff, and people becoming more accustomed to the western communities,” DiLallo said. “People didn’t come west before.”
This brought clients to WRMC from all parts of the county and beyond, often drawn by the unique offerings presented on the hospital’s campus.
“It has gone from being a community hospital, to a regional hospital, to being a true pillar of the community on the medical side,” Boynton said. “People have been travelling from other cities and states for medical procedures to be done here in Wellington. The hospital has done an incredible job bringing in these specialties. It really has been an incredible transformation.”
(Left) The new front tower of Wellington Regional Medical Center under construction in 2003.
(Below) UHS CEO Alan B. Miller cuts the ribbon in 2012 to open the new Wellington Regional Medical Center pavilion named in his honor. Dr. Jeffrey Bishop is shown at the far right.
Miller has been very impressed by how WRMC has grown.
“In 1986, and up to today, we have seen an excellent reaction from and support by the community,” he said. “At Wellington Regional, we continue to contribute to the health of the community and boost the local economy. In 2023, we admitted 15,234 patients and had 58,961 emergency visits, and we made more than $4 million in capital investments.”
Like WRMC, it took time for Palms West Hospital to become what it is today.
In June 1981, the Town-Crier reported that, “The Hospital Corporation of America says it will have a 117-bed general surgical hospital operation by 1983.” That upbeat assessment, however, was off by several years. In October 1981, the regional Health Planning Council, which decided on hospital needs for the area, rejected the proposal, instead adding 80 additional beds to a hospital in Delray Beach. The Bureau of Community Medical Facilities in Tallahassee later agreed. Nevertheless, HCA officials said they would not give up on the plan.
Eventually, approval was granted in December 1983, and a groundbreaking was held in 1984. Nearly 1,000 people were on hand to celebrate its grand opening on Jan. 19, 1986.
Mike Pugh, the hospital’s first administrator, arrived in 1984 and oversaw the construction, opening and first decade of the hospital’s life serving the community.
“I just can’t get over what a change it is and how nice it is,” Pugh said upon returning to the hospital he built for its 25th anniversary in 2011. He recalled how the hospital opened with only four doctors on staff and a trickle of patients. At first, the hospital only used one floor of its initial three. However, it grew quickly.
“In our first 10 months of serving the western communities, Palms West Hospital admitted nearly 1,200 patients and performed more than 850 surgeries and endoscopies,” Pugh wrote in a newsletter marking the hospital’s first anniversary. “By the close of 1986, there were more than 7,500 visits to our emergency department and over 3,000 outpatient visits.”
(Right) Mike Pugh, founding administrator of Palms West Hospital, oversaw the hospital’s construction and first decade of operation.
(Below) An artistic rendering of the original design for Palms West Hospital, which opened in January 1986.
Founding administrator Mike Pugh (right) celebrates the 25th anniversary of Palms West Hospital with then-CEO Bland Eng in 2011. An obstetrics department was added in 1989, and a pediatric division followed in 1994. In 1993, a new 60,000-squarefoot pavilion opened. Through the years, 10 medical buildings were added to the campus to accompany the hospital itself. Today, the 204-bed facility includes a full-service children’s hospital.
Deborah Welky worked for Pugh doing public relations for the hospital when it first opened. “Everybody liked Mike. He had been part of the last M*A*S*H* unit in Korea and was there when pro-
ducers came out to do research for the 1970 movie of the same name,” Welky said. “He had also been a member of the Chad Mitchell Trio back in the day, just like John Denver had. So, he had stories to tell, and I like people with stories.”
She recalls the heady excitement of those early days. “The first big story to come out of Palms West Hospital was that a baby had been born at the hospital,” Welky said. “It was before the hospital’s birthing ward had been set up and was, instead, born in the emergency room. Babies wait for no plan.”
Speaking of births, she recalled how the two hospitals argued over approvals for an obstetrics ward.
“No one could argue that another hospital was needed in the area, but what they could argue about was whether another birthing ward was needed. Permission is granted based on population and need. So, argue they did,” Welky said. “Viewed hopefully as a retirement
community by hospitals firmly established east of Military Trail, those of us who lived in the Wellington area knew differently. Youth sports were booming. Recreation programs were bursting at the seams. And you know what young children often have? Baby brothers and sisters. It was clear that retirees weren’t the only ones populating the area. The WRMC birthing center was approved.”
Welky eventually left Palms West Hospital for a full-time position with the Village of Wellington.
“That’s when WRMC CEO Arnie Schaffer invited me to become a part of his Community Advisory Board,” she recalled. “In addition to being goodwill ambassadors of sorts, the primary job of this board was to analyze information gathered from questionnaires filled out by patients after they had been released. When the hospitals were young, this feedback was crucial. It absolutely shaped the way things developed.” Accounting Audit IRS Representation
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ENJOY QUICK AND HEALTHY SNACKS AND TREATS AT FRESH MANGOS
BY MATTHEW AUERBACH
For something healthy and very satisfying, visit Fresh Mangos, now open in the Mall at Wellington Green. The new Wellington location is the fifth South Florida outpost for this locally owned chain.
You can work up quite an appetite during a day of shopping. If you’re looking to dive into something healthy and tasty during a break in your buying, head on over to Fresh Mangos. The company recently opened its fifth South Florida location in the Mall at Wellington Green.
Fresh Mangos began as a way to fill a need for shoppers.
“We observed that malls had very few, if any, healthy snack options for their customers,” owner Jessica Tafur said. “If someone is hungry while in the mall, they have to eat some kind of junk food or high-carb or high-sugar snack. We decided to change that and offer something healthy and delicious.”
Fresh Mangos has been around since 2018, when the first Fresh Mangos opened at the Palm Beach Outlets (now the Tanger Outlets). Since then, they’ve developed a menu that’s hard to beat.
“Now we have mangos with more than 20 topping choices, depending on the location, up to four varieties of natural juice, frozen drinks, açaí and pitaya bowls, smoothie bowls, parfaits, fruit bowls, energizing teas, boba tea and more,” Tafur said.
If you like to eat your mangos sliced, you’re in the right place.
“The five sliced mango options on the menu were actually the clients’ top five combinations,” she said. “We decided to name the most popular combinations and put them on the menu for convenience, and to make the ordering process faster.”
You can choose between the Classic, Mexican Spicy, Flavor Explosion, Sweet Temptation or the Build Your Own, each with their own particular toppings, to satiate your mango mania.
As for which offerings are among customers’ favorites, it’s a question of where and who.
“This really depends on the mall we are in and the demographic of our customers,” Tafur said. “But in general,
besides the mangos with toppings, the smoothies and açaí, pitaya and smoothie bowls are very popular.”
What, then, is the magic of the mango? Apparently, it all comes down to its adaptability.
“Mangos are one of those fruits that grow in just about every continent and are enjoyed in so many different ways,” Tafur said. “In Latin America alone, there are many ways of eating this fruit. Some like it green with salt and lime, others ripe and sweet, still others like to add hot sauce or sweet condensed milk. Travel to Asia, where it is eaten with sticky rice and cilantro, and then North America, where it is enjoyed ripe and in smoothies and drinks. The possibilities with mangos are quite vast.”
Fresh Mangos is well-aware that time is of the essence. Maybe you’re on a lunch break, maybe you’ve only got a few minutes to spare and need something to “grab and go.” Not only are they ready for you, but Fresh Mangos is also dedicated to making sure whatever you’re buying will keep you in the game.
“We like to think of ourselves as healthy fast food,” Tafur said. “We have our fruit ready to go, our juice is in the dispensers, and everyone has been trained in the most efficient way of preparing everything, so we can get our customers taken care of quickly. We are not as fast as a drive-through, since everything is made to order, but we do our best to be quick.”
Fresh Mangos and the Mall at Wellington Green is a match made in commercial heaven. They’d been waiting to set up shop in Wellington for a while, and finally, all the stars aligned.
“We have been wanting to open in this mall for years, but for several reasons, that was not possible,” Tafur said. “Many of our customers would come to our Tanger Outlet location in West Palm Beach and ask us if we would open in Wellington. We finally did! We are a bit hidden, but you can find us on the first
(Clockwise from top) Fresh Mangos has a wide variety of treats to enjoy; the Mixed Fruit Bowl features mango, banana, strawberry, blueberry and two toppings; the Sweet Temptation; the Strawberry Rainbow Boba Tea; and the Flavor Explosion Mango with mango slices, salt, pepper, seasoning and vinegar. (Top left) The Flavor Explosion Mango with the Bonjour Parfait featuring layers of strawberry yogurt, sliced banana, mango, strawberry, blueberries, granola and whipped cream.
floor, in front of California Pizza Kitchen. The clients of Wellington also deserve a healthy snack alternative.”
Check out Fresh Mangos during your next visit to the Mall at Wellington Green, and you — and everyone with you — will come away happy.
“We do not just have to be a snack, we have sandwiches and crepes as well for a larger meal,” Jessica said. “We have many families stop by, and everyone finds something on the menu that they like. Parents are happy their kids got a healthy snack, and kids are happy with their snack. Young adults and teens can also find something to their liking, usually smoothies or frozen drinks or boba tea. For our clients who like to work out, we have protein smoothies and zero sugar energizing teas. We have something for everyone.”
Fresh Mangos is located on the lower level of the Mall at Wellington Green across from California
and near Dillard’s. For more information, visit www.myfreshmangos.com.
Pizza Kitchen
(Top row, left to right) The Strawberry Lemonade; the Peruvian Açaí Bowl features açaí paste topped with mango, strawberries, blueberries and honey; the Mexican Spicy Mango features mango slices, lime juice, salt, Tajin, chamoy and Valentina hot sauce; the wonderfully colorful Butterfly Pea Lemonade; the Green Detox Shake with spinach, mango, pineapple and banana; the Classic Mango features mango spirals with lime juice, salt and pepper; and the Frozen Mango Juice is great for cooling off on a warm day. (Bottom row left) A look at some of the many drink varieties available at Fresh Mangos. (Middle row right) The Mango Peach Energizing Tea and the Mexican-inspired Frozen Mangonada drink with frozen mango juice, Tajin, chamoy, fresh lime juice and pieces of mango. (Bottom row right) The Fresh Mango Cosmo Smoothie.
(Below) The Fresh Mangos location in the Mall at Wellington Green is designed to look like a farmer’s market. It is located on the lower level near California Pizza Kitchen and Dillard’s.
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