Perry chief deserving of recognition

BOUQUETS>> To Perry Joint Fire District Chief James McDonald on being recognized as the 2018 Hero of the Year.

He probably has been called a hero more than a few times in his long career.

But now, he has an award that declares him as the top hero of 2018 as decided in a Facebook competition for local first responders.

McDonald, during a March 7 ceremony, received the 2018 Hero of the Year award that he earned in an online contest sponsored by Mormile Agency Inc. of Mentor and the Farmers Insurance Group.

Representatives of Mormile Agency Inc. presented McDonald with a plaque, and made donations to two causes chosen by the chief.

The award was given as part of the annual “Thank our Local Heroes Campaign” that Mormile and Farmers Insurance launched in 2016. This program provides area residents with an opportunity to nominate a first responder that they consider a local hero in their respective communities.

With 36 local heroes being nominated for 2018, Mormile Agency then whittled down the field based on the most likes, comments and other social media interaction generated on its Facebook page for each nominee.

At the March 7 award presentation, McDonald thanked an audience that included his wife, Perry firefighters, elected officials from the Perry area and other well-wishers.

McDonald chose two recipients to receive equal shares of a $500 charitable contribution from the Mormile Agency.

Well done, chief.

BOUQUETS>> To Lake Health and University Hospitals on their new collaboration at the Lake Health Beachwood Medical Center.

University Hospitals will join the two founding members of Lake Health Beachwood Medical Center — Lake Health and Manna Isle Ohio, who developed the hospital in collaboration with more than 20 independent physicians.

We agree with Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and CEO of Lake Health, in the belief that collaboration is part of the culture of health care.

“We think this partnership is a model that can and should be replicated,” she said. “The point isn’t the structure — the point is what we’re able to do together in collaboration to help patients. This partnership will make healthcare delivery in our region more efficient, cost-effective and simply better for patients we serve.”

Lake Health and University Hospitals have collaborated for over 20 years to provide cancer services at the Lake Health/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Mentor.

We look forward to the facility’s full opening in June, and are hopeful this partnership will prove a success for patients.

BRICKBATS>> To those peddling fake oxycodone in Lake County.

The county Crime Lab recently finished processing a case with more than 250 oxycodone tablets, something lab officials said is on the rise.

Some of the pills in this particular case contained only fentanyl. Some contained fentanyl with the powerful synthetic opioid analogs. Others contained a fentanyl with the seizure and nerve pain medication gabapentin, which is sold under brand names like Neurontin, Gralise and Horizant. Still others contained no controlled substance at all, said Doug Rohde, the lab’s supervisor of chemistry & toxicology.

In recent years, fake oxycodone pills made in clandestine labs in Mexico have been making their way into the U.S.

With the presence of fake oxycontin pills locally, the Lake County General Health District stated access to opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, in conjunction with community treatment and response efforts, “is key.”

We can’t say it enough: Drug dealers, be warned. You will be caught and prosecuted. Those in the grip of addictions, help is available.