Twin Cities Hospital announced recently that it is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2019 Patient Safety Excellence AwardTM. This distinction places Twin Cities Hospital among the top 10 percent of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals.
“We are honored to receive this year’s Healthgrades Award. This commitment to our patients is systemic to the wonderful caregiving employees, physicians, and volunteers at Twin Cities Hospital. It is the long standing culture of an amazing group of professionals who perform every day at the apex of national standards. Patient Safety is part of every move we make,” said David Whalen, CEO, Twin Cities Hospital.
Simon Supports Education
Simon is proud to support Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) in its efforts to increase educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds through Simon Supports Education. The movement incorporates several activations designed to engage shoppers in SYF’s mission. This year, Silver Sands Premium Outlets will present Mary Ballard from Navarre High School with a $1,500 scholarship. Ballard plans to study industrial engineering and design at Auburn University this fall.
Silver Sands Premium Outlets is now offering community members the opportunity to support local students, scholarships and academies through several planned activities and activations, such as $1 from all SYF Simon Visa Giftcard purchases will support scholarship and graduation programs in the community and Simon Visa Giftcard holders can donate a balance of less than $5 to SYF to help students graduate and pursue their dreams through education.
Results of the 16th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic
More than $50,000 was raised for the Air Force Enlisted Village to provide a safe, secure home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted US Air Force personnel during the 16th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic. Bob Hope Village resident Betty Pascher teed off to celebrate the opening of the golf classic on day 1. One hundred thirty-six (136) golfers played the Eagle course on May 17 and 18, 2019.
Taylor Haugen Foundation Featured on Good Morning America
Brian and Kathy Haugen of the Taylor Haugen Foundation were featured on Good Morning America, furthering their mission to educate parents and players about abdominal injuries and protective equipment. Click here to see the segment.
Kiwanis Club Host Workday for CIC Kids
Seen here, members of the Kiwanis Club of Niceville-Valparaiso donated their time, talents and hard work during a recent workday to help make the Children in Crisis (CIC) Neighborhood look great. There were more than 50 volunteers, which included Kiwanis members, military members and a large group from the faith community. The volunteers pressure washed all the driveways, completed normal yard maintenance, built a ramp for a new utility building and accomplished a variety of other tasks. Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q Raise $28,595 at Celebration of Life for Past Employee
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Silver Shells Resort and Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q hosted the community, loyal patrons and guests for a Celebration of Life fundraiser for Joel Iral, a long-time employee of both restaurants who was killed in a vehicle-involved scooter accident on Thursday, March 27, 2019. Held in Ruth’s Chris’ Courtyard and Terrace, the event raised $28,595 through donations, raffle, silent and live auctions. Due in large part to the support of the community, many of whom have come to know and love Iral during his tenure at both restaurants, the event raised $28,595. Since the event, Iral has been transferred back to the Philippines where a proper burial ceremony was held with his family, friends, and children. The money raised will directly pay off the tuition expenses for two of Iral’s children who are currently enrolled in college. Success For United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties at Rock United Music Fest
Music and excitement filled the air Saturday, May 18, at Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin as Thos3Guys took the stage to kick off the first Rock United Music Fest, presented by Gulf Power, and hosted by United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties. The event brought together donors, advocates, and volunteers to show the impact we can make when we all LIVE UNITED. The clear highlight of the day was the announcement of the United Way total community impact funding for 2019-2020. United Way CEO Rick Owen said, “Through the generous donor investments trusted to United Way, we awarded $741,000 in total, including grants, designations and programs to help solve the greatest needs in our community. We envision a community where resources are aligned to ensure people are healthy, families are strong, and youth and adults are engaged in strengthening social bonds.”
Okaloosa Arts Alliance School Poster Contest Winners
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would also like to thank all of the Okaloosa County School students that participated in the 10th annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. Although we were not able to make everyone a 1st place winner, all 245 entries were on display at the OAA Poster Reception on Sat, May 18, at the Young Philosophers Society. The winners and honorable mentions are as follows:
Elementary (K5-4)
First Place, Malia Rowlands, 4th Grade, Edge Elementary School
Second Place, Isla Yelverton-3rd Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Third Place, Tavery Geitner, 1st Grade, Edge Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Iva Rose Harte, 1st grade, Edge Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Hayden Srader, 4th grade, Edge Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Alyana Iversen, 2nd grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: LiLiAnna Duran, 4th grade, Edge Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Cienna Nixon, 2nd grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Lexi Schrand, 3rd grade, Destin Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Arianna Mitchem, 4th grade, Edge Elementary
Honorable Mention: Ben Maconi, 4th grade, Edge Elementary
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth McNamara, 3rd grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Conner Gartman, 4th grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Isabel Ramirez-Ortiz, 3rd grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Graham Robinson, 1st grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Brooklyn Nolting, 1st grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Middle (5-7)
First Place, Isabella Bisordi, 7th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Second Place, Caroline Howard, 7th Grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Third Place, Briana Romero, 7th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Abigal King, 5th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Nate Hoffman, 7th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Heidy Medina, 7th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Charlee Gonzales, 7th grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Luci Schrand, 5th grade, Destin Middle School
Honorable Mention: Kailey Yang, 6th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Paige Finley, 7th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Molly Proulx, 5th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Luke Franklin, 6th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
High (8-12)
First Place, Natthaporn Sae-pua, 12th Grade, Crestview High School (seen here)
Second Place, Grace Keeney, 9th Grade, Crestview High School
Third Place, Jordan Locke, 12th Grade, Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Dylan Poole, 8th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Honorable Mention: Kylee Crowe, 11th grade, Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Cameryn Oliver, 11th grade, Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Tucker McDonald, 12th grade, Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Alea Keliinoi, 10th grade, Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Mya Nguyen, 10th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Jessie Wang, 10th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Daisy Choi, 10th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Delaney Kaiser, 11th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Evelyn Mosley, 8th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Mac-N-Cheese Festival Benefitting The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast a Huge Success at Destin Commons
Destin Commons hosted the first ever Mac-N-Cheese Festival on Sunday, May 19. With more than $30,000 raised and 3,000 plus attendees, the first Mac-N-Cheese Festival along Florida's Emerald Coast was a huge success. Proceeds from the event benefit The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. The family-friendly event featured gourmet, chef-inspired twists on the South’s favorite comfort food. Local restaurants brought their A-game to compete for the best mac and cheese in town. Visitors were able to sample each vendor and cast in their vote. There were three categories in total, Judge's Choice Award, People's Choice Award, and Kid's Choice Award.
Award winners are as follows:
Judge's Choice: Basil and Baxter's Kitchen and Cocktails
People's Choice: Red Fish Taco
Kid's Choice: Panera Bread (seen here)
Rescued Rough-Toothed Dolphin Joins Gulf World’s Population
Gulf World is proud to announce a young female rough-toothed dolphin’s introduction to the marine park’s current rough-toothed population. The marine mammal, named Dagny by her original rescue team, stranded east of Biloxi Mississippi’s Broadwater Marina Pier on Oct. 12, 2018. The marine mammal, found with three recreational fishing hooks in her lower left mandible by a passing couple, was transported to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport, Miss.,for rehabilitation. After conducting several tests, veterinarians confirmed impaired hearing which, experts say, is detrimental to a dolphin’s survival. While the institute’s rescue team continued her rehabilitation, the National Marine Fisheries Service ultimately deemed the rescue non-releasable. The Gulf World staff is now acclimating Dagny, estimated to be around three years old, to the park’s six other rescued rough-toothed dolphins.
Destin Commons Wins MAXI Award at 2019 ICSC RECon Conference
Destin Commons wins its first MAXI award presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) at RECon, the world's largest retail real estate convention, hosted annually in Las Vegas. The MAXI Awards recognize events, programs, and technology that add value to shopping centers and companies worldwide. Categories are designed to recognize the evolution of the industry, while rewarding creativity and innovation. The shopping center took home a silver MAXI award in the community-related marketing category for its involvement with Hurricane Michael Relief 'Together We Are Stronger' campaign.
Sacred Heart Hospital in Miramar Beach Offering 3D Mammography
Olson Women’s Diagnostic Center at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast now provides the latest and more accurate imaging technology tool for breast cancer screening with 3D mammography exams. Advanced three-dimensional imaging technology is recommended for women of all ages and breast densities and can help physicians detect breast cancer earlier and with more accuracy, often decreasing the need for women to return for additional testing. Sacred Heart is part of Ascension, one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems.
Area Providers Rank High with Healthcare Consumers
Eight Sacred Heart Medical Group providers in Okaloosa and Walton counties have been recognized by Professional Research Consultants (PRC) for their outstanding performance in 2018. PRC is a nationally known healthcare marketing research company. These awards are based on information gathered by PRC through confidential surveys of patients regarding their perceptions of the care they received from healthcare providers. These providers earned PRC’s 5-Star Award, which recognizes physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants with a 90th-percentile or higher ranking based on the percentage of patients in the company’s national database who rate the provider as “excellent.”
Those who earned the 5-star rating are:
Dr. Kara Brooks, family medicine
Dr. Gerardo Dieguez-Gomez, internal medicine
Dr. Charles Mayes, cardiologist
Dr. Sean McWilliams, ear, nose and throat
Dr. Melanie Thomas, endocrinology
Dr. Crystal Tidwell, pediatrics
Dr. Prabha Weiss, pediatrics
Dr. Stephen Zimmermann, internal medicine
Northwest Florida State College’s Police Department Launches Drone Unit
Northwest Florida State College’s Police Department is proud to announce the launch of a drone unit. NWF State College is one of only four colleges in the nation with an active law enforcement drone team per a new study from Bard College’s Center. The same study found there are only 38 active law enforcement agencies in Florida that utilize drones. NWF State College Police Chief Aaron Murray said that the drone program was the direct result of a need he recognized in the area. The drone unit can also offer aerial support to other local law enforcement agencies.
Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County Selected As Charity Partner For 30A 10K Races
The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County has been selected as a charity partner for the 2019 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day races. The CAA joins other benefiting organizations, including Anchorage Children’s Home, Girls Inc., The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and The Foye Belle Foundation.
The 30A 10K race is a 501c3 event whose mission is to raise funds for local non-profits as well as promote the spirit of healthy living and thankfulness as we come together to celebrate the Thanksgiving Day holiday. The race event, now in its 8th year, has given more than $350,000 to non-profits directly impacting our community. This year’s activities are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 28, in downtown Rosemary Beach with a 10K, 5K and 1 mile fun run.
Destin Commons Attracts Local Restaurant and Welcomes New Store
Destin Commons is excited to announce the opening of Yuga Sushi & Sake House, formerly known as Simply Sushi, and the recent opening of Ridemakerz.
"We are pleased to have Ridemakerz and Yuga Sushi & Sake House join the growing portfolio of retail brands and eateries at Destin Commons. Destin Commons has, over the years, been the place to gather with friends and family, and these new experiences will definitely play an important role in meeting customer expectations for the Destin Commons visitor," explained Heather Ruiz, Destin Commons senior director of marketing & leasing.
Dixielectricar Receives Scenic Walton Design Excellence Award
Last month, Scenic South Walton awarded Dixielectricar as the winner of its Design Excellence Award for this quarter. Owners Colin Gorman and Blair Gorman received the award at a special presentation ceremony with team members of Dixielectricar, Walton County Planning and Development Services staff, Scenic Walton board members, media and members of the community in attendance. Dixielectricar has been providing the Emerald Coast with quality sales, service and repairs on E-Z-Go Golf Carts since 1972. In September 2017, this family-run business opened a new, larger facility offering more golf cart variety, additional service technicians and the option of onsite storage.
