Business Before Hours

Early mornings are made for coffee, smiles, and fellowship and on February 10 all 3 were present as the Destin Chamber held its monthly Breakfast Before Hours at LuLu’s in Destin. Sponsored by HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, the February meeting covered everything from heart care to a wide variety of education issues.

Cardiac-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Eric Sandwith, gave the sponsor’s presentation and began his talk by introducing everyone to the hospital. “We are taking care of individuals, one patient at time.” He continued, “We have an amazing administrative staff which allows us to become more than we were yesterday.” There are no cookie-cutter programs for heart care, and Dr. Sandwith put it this way: “Everyone deserves special care.” To illustrate this, he talked about the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) conducted at the hospital and how heart disease includes more than just the structural parts of the heart, it includes the plumbing and the electrical.

A second presentation was given by the principals of Destin High and Destin Elementary Schools. Using a panel setting, Chamber Board Chairman Jason Belcher asked the two principals several questions about education and its effect on commerce and the community. Jason also asked the principals what the business community could do to support education and the answer was simple: mentor struggling students and assist with the integration of the increasing number of international students.