Guest Speaker Series
On November 11th our guest speaker was Ron Bierman, Chief Administrative Officer, Sebastian River Medical Center (SRMC). In May 2017 Ron was given the opportunity to move to this area when Steward Medical Group purchased SRMC, Melbourne Regional and Rockledge Hospitals from Community Health Systems. The Steward approach is to provide accountable health care through groups of quality physicians and to reduce costs and increase the quality of service.
Now, three years later Steward is seeing the benefits and gaining momentum right on schedule. Employees or independent contractors in the network are graded on performance and directing patients to the right venue. The ER for example has a 23% admittance rate (national avg 17-18%). This means that costly tests would not be given on those patients who do not require emergency care. Partnering with insurance companies splits the cost savings. Steward is building a network of high-quality physicians who educate their patients, lower costs and increase quality care.
Ron stated that although in the past there were some vendor payment issues, that was because there was too much expansion too quickly. An Electronic Medical Record system needed to be installed – a very large expenditure. Local vendors as well as national contractor accounts are now current since cash flow problems have been overcome.
The new $80 million two story tower addition boasts 48 patient rooms and 8 large operating rooms with state-of- the art equipment and technology, and 3 procedure rooms.
The Steward organization is passionate about the care patients receive, the dedication and skill of its medical personal and their communication with family and patients. World class doctors are on board. A full suite of cardiac services including diagnostic and interventional cardiology as well as hospital-based cardiac, pulmonary and physical rehabilitation programs, laboratory services, a sleep disorders center, transitional care unit, and the Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine are available.
SRMC is a For Profit organization showing a reasonable rate of return for services rendered and does pay income taxes as well as property taxes. It is one of the largest organizations in this community employing over 100 affiliated physicians, 650 nursing and ancillary staff and 200 volunteers. Contact www.sebastianrivermedical.org for more information.
On November 11th we also celebrated Veterans’ Day with a patriotic themed birthday cake and table decorations. Susan Baran gave a special invocation and Fred Jones was our veteran in attendance!
November Birthdays
Jason Gillette 11/02
Justin LeFebure 11/02
Mike Natale 11/10
Rick Giteles 11/12
Adam Preuss 11/18
John Rooney 11/22
Diana Best 11/24
November Anniversaries
Charles Fischer 1 Year
Lori Reilly 1 Year
Bill Kriener 11 Years
Kathy Falzone 15 Years
Jeff Slade 38 Years
Rene VanDeVoorde 38 Years
This and That
Ali asked members to contact Jeff Kagan with ideas for future speakers. A second person working with Jeff would be helpful.
Terry Gardner is chairing the Community Involvement Committee. Karen McElveen will serve with her. They encourage members to give ideas for activities.
Lyse McDonough and Debbie Fitzpatrick are also asking for ideas for their Hospitality Committee to consider.
Eva Chapman held the 1st BWO meeting. A sponsor packet will be available soon. Please contact sponsors early to get them on board for June 4, 2021!
Eva Chapman needs to know of any volunteer work a member has done outside of Exchange Club. This counts toward credit we get from national toward year end awards. Please use her log or send her the name of the organization and number of hours you spent volunteering.
Paul Williamson reports that we are 43-member strong. Please contact members to let them know meetings can be attended via ZOOM if not in person. Also, bring guests and ask them to join the best club ever!
Kathy Burns has a spread sheet for signup for the holiday gifts for Guardians for New Future children. She and Karen McElveen are heading up this project and this year our club will sponsor 18 children with 3 wishes each. Kathy will also accept cash and do the shopping for you! We have 3 children on the list that still need gifts. The deadline is Wednesday November 25th. Karen and Kathy say, “Thank you for considering sponsoring a child this holiday season. Your generosity will have a positive impact on the lives of the children. You may never know the true impact of your gift, but please know that in many cases this may be the first gift a child has received or simply a gift without ‘strings’ attached.”
This Quarter’s Visitors – Please Come Again!
10-14-20 – Michelle Morris (Several – she made application for membership!)
10-14-20 – Janet Kennedy (Ali) Real Estate
10-14-20 – John McIntosh and Adrian Garcia (Ali)
10-28-20 – Tom McDonough (Lyse)
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
Our meeting was held on Wednesday October 28th with students in person and by Virtual Zoom connection. We held officer elections. Congratulations to the 2020-21 Officers:
President = Sarah Cosner
Pres Elect = Not elected at this time
Secretary = Maddie Tatro
Treasurer = Angela Zamarripa
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday November 18th. Any club member wishing to participate may join Zoom Meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89286273923?pwd=d3h2Tkd5bFlaMWpFWlM4U0hzeUxiUT09
As this new school year unfolds, we look forward to the 2020-2021 year’s club growth and achievements.
2019-2020 SCHJS Jr Excel Officers with other club members
Meetings and elections of new officers will resume after the 2020 fall semester begins.
Sebastian Police News
The Hundred Club of Indian River County recognized Detective Bryan Melius as our 2019 Officer of the Year. Congratulations Detective Melius and thank you for your hard work and dedication to the City of Sebastian.
Congratulations to the Sebastian Police Department for being re-accredited for their second Excelsior status by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The Sebastian PD achieved Excelsior status by successfully attaining reaccreditation for 5 successful three-year cycles. They were initially accredited in 2002 and received their first Excelsior status in 2017.
“I am extremely proud of our staff for their performance and knowledge of our policies during the accreditation assessment. The committee of assessors who evaluated our agency expressed how impressed they were with everyone’s knowledge of our procedures and what we accomplish with the number of employees we have. The previous Police Chief, Michelle Morris, left our agency in great shape and our Accreditation Manager, Felicia Stoll, worked tirelessly to ensure we were prepared. I am honored to serve as the Chief of Police for this great agency, and I’m grateful for our team’s commitment and enthusiasm to our profession,” state Chief Dan Acosta.
The accreditation increases the Sebastian Police Departments’ ability to prevent and control crime through more efficient and effective and delivery of law enforcement services in our community.
The Sebastian Police Department consists of seven departments, including investigations, road patrol, special operations, support services, code enforcement & alarms, administrations, and volunteers.
Calendar of Events
All meetings will be offered in person at Captain Hiram’s or via ZOOM unless stated otherwise. ZOOM connection information will be sent out weekly.
November
11/18 – Students
Bring Toys for GFNF Kids
11/25 – No Meeting (Happy Thanksgiving!)
December
12/02 – No Meeting (Board Only)
12/03 – Freedom Shrine Dedication 10:00 a.m. at Youth Guidance, Vero Beach
12/09 – Jim Miskel, Professor at IRSC on National Security Council
Birthday Cake
12/16 – Students
12/23 – Holiday Gift Swap
12/30 – No Meeting (Happy New Year)
January
01/06 – No Meeting (Board Only)
01/13 – Chris Robertson – Hope Lives Foundation
01/20 – Students
01/27 – TBD
District Director Rene’s Corner
Sebastian Club: Rene reports the scholarship recipients of the Sebastian Exchange Club Scholarship Foundation for 2020 are:
Leticia Ovalle $2,000
Alexander Ortiz Velez $2,000
Madison Hula $2,000
Sofia Carmona $2,000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1,000
(H.R. “Rappy” Perez Scholarship)
Adam Preuss Student Chairman has announced the following recipients:
Youth of the Year:
Alexander Ortiz Velez $1000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1000
ACE:
Rian Butler $1000
DISTRICT ACE:
Rian Butler $2500
Indian River Club: The club held its 4th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament on March 7th at Walking Tree Brewery. Thirty sets of partners teamed up, some arriving early to warm up and hoist a few limited-edition craft beers made especially for the tournament. A total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your successes!
Fellsmere Club:
Due to the Covid19 Virus the 2020 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo scheduled for Friday, March 20th through Sunday March 22nd was cancelled. Watch the website at shrimpfestfl.com for any rescheduling possibilities.
This is a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and will raise funds to support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County.
Greater Palm Bay Club: The club cancelled its Junior Fishing Tournament at Pineapple Park in Melbourne scheduled for Saturday April 18th. Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
The One Nation Under God Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday November 21st. Location to be determined.
A car show is planned for the future – date to be determined.
“In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other’s homes and talk by crackling woodstoves, sipping mellow cider. They travel very far on a special November day just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings – for the food on their tables and the babies in their arms.”
― Cynthia HYPERLINK “http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5411.Cynthia_Rylant”Rylant, In November
Have a safe and bountiful thanksgiving!
Margie Duffell