FAMILY AFFAIRS
Our region’s future has never looked healthier
While Southwest Florida is known for its population of retirees and snowbirds seeking sun and relaxation, you may be surprised that younger families are choosing to make their homes here. The Lee County Economic Development Office, in fact, tells us that our fastestgrowing age group is 18 through 24, a demographic that’s outgrowing the rest of Florida. Many of these young adults have small children or are starting families, so their needs are different. This makes community leaders take notice and respond.
A shining star in our region is the new Lee Health Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, which began treating young patients in May. This state-of-the-art medical facility has 128 beds, 400 highly skilled pediatric nurses, 98 doctors and 38 specialists, all bringing the very best medical care to our area. (Read more about this new hospital’s physicians beginning on page 34.)
As a mother of two boys, I can only imagine how the care and technology available at this impressive new facility may have made life a little easier to bear when I was a young parent. One of my sons required specialized treatment in the intensive care unit. I think about how wonderful it would have been to have that available in 1991, in the same hospital where he was born. Not having to take their kids to Miami or Tampa for medical care will relieve parents of some of that stress, and make it easier for the children.
It was thrilling to tour this gleaming children’s hospital before it opened and, wow, was I truly impressed by not only what I saw, but what I felt. From the design and layout of the building to the sincere, caring demeanor of everyone I encountered, there's no doubt that the kids and their families at Golisano will be in outstanding hands.
It’s touching that I am composing this column on Mother’s Day, as we finish our TOTI Media publications for July/August. I can only be encouraged that Southwest Florida will continue to see a healthy influx of vibrant young families whose goal is to raise their families along our sandy shores, to make their futures here as bright as our sunshine.
Thanks to facilities like the Golisano Children’s Hospital, those families can be assured of the ultimate in medical care for their little ones, and I can’t imagine a more compelling reason to call Lee County home.
Just as our new hospital has brought wonderful and necessary improvements to our community, TOTI Media is unveiling new digital platforms for our magazines. We hope you’ll use these new web/social media tools as another way to discover what’s happening in Southwest Florida and beyond. You, in exchange, will help us shape our coverage and now be able to share your thoughts and comments easier and faster. Check us out and let us know what you think. Enjoy!