Page 23 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens- March '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 23
Habitat For Humanity Greater Palm Beach County Calls

On Florida Congressional Members To Take Action On

The Affordable Housing Crisis

Nationwide, housing costs are skyrocketing as more families housing and community Section 502 Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program
lack access to a safe, affordable, and decent place to call home. development programs in 2025 (Section 502 Direct) are the primary federal programs which
Here in Florida, every one in six households pay half or more and through the passage of the provide funding exclusively for homeownership projects serving
of their income on housing. bipartisan Neighborhood Homes low-income families.
During the week of Feb. 5, Jennifer Thomason, CEO of Investment Act. “Given the historic low supply of affordable homes, especially
Habitat for Humanity Greater Palm Beach County, along with There are a number of federal for entry-level homeownership, Habitat for Humanity Greater
hundreds of local Habitat organizations and affordable housing solutions that can help increase Palm Beach County urged Congress to prioritize federal policies
advocates, met with Senators Scott and Rubio, Representatives the number of affordable homes and investments that increase the number of affordable homes,
Cherfilus-McCormick, Mast, Frankel and Moskowitz in across the country. In Palm said Thomason. “Through advocacy, Habitat for Humanity
Washington, D.C. They urged for action and prioritization of Beach County, the Self-Help Greater Palm Beach County highlighted the need for Congress
policies that will increase the number of affordable homes, Homeownership Opportunity Jennifer Thomason, CEO to support policies that increase the supply of safe, decent and
particularly for homeownership. Program, HOME Investment of Habitat of Greater Palm affordable homes, especially for homeownership.”
Congress can respond to this need by supporting vital Partnerships Program and Beach County Habitat on the Hill is Habitat’s primary legislative conference
that brings together nearly 400 Habitat staff members, board
members, homeowners, resident leaders, volunteers and emerging
PBI Has Busiest Year Ever leaders in Washington, D.C., every year. The participants are
united by a common purpose, representing their communities,
engaging with each other, learning from esteemed housing experts
2023 was a fantastic year for Palm Beach International beginning March 5; Tallahassee service three times a week and collaboratively strategizing to champion policies that drive
Airport (PBI) with record-breaking passenger numbers, beginning March 6; Pensacola service two times a week home affordability at the local, state and federal levels.
national awards and continued growth. beginning March 7; and service to Marsh Harbour three times To discover more, visit www.habitatgreaterpbc.org and follow
More than 7.76 million passengers were served last year, a week beginning March 5. us online at @HabitatGPBC.
surpassing the previous record set in 2019 when 6.89 million Frontier Airlines has announced new nonstop service from
passengers passed through the terminal. The year-end passenger PBI to San Juan, Puerto Rico three times a week beginning
total for PBI was 12.6 percent higher than 2019 and 16.8 June 2. In addition, PBI continues to offer daily flights to
percent higher than 2022. Los Angeles, Calif., on JetBlue and Toronto, Canada on Air
“The record-breaking number of passengers is a testament Canada until April 30.
to the hard work and dedication of our staff who ensure we American Airlines will offer extended nonstop service to
provide the easy, convenient experience that customers have Chicago O’Hare throughout the summer.
come to expect from PBI,” said Gary Sypek, senior deputy In addition, PBI has some exciting routes for sports
director of airports. “2024 is shaping up to be an even greater enthusiasts with Delta Airlines providing nonstop
year for PBI with the continued and growing support from our service to Augusta, Ga., for the Masters Tournament and
airline partners to the Palm Beaches.” Southwest Airlines offering nonstop service to St. Louis
PBI continues to bolster its airline roster with Silver Airways during Spring Training. Jennifer Thomason, CEO of Habitat of Greater Palm Beach
coming on board and providing service to five new exciting Visit www.pbia.org to find out more and book your County, with CEO of Habitat for Humanity International,
destinations launching with daily flights to Tampa and Nassau flight today. Jonathan Reckford (third from the left), along with
representatives from other Habitats around the country

Paid Advertisement
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH CARE

Surgeon stresses successful procedures go well

beyond the operating room.

By Valerie Staggs more to do with making the surgery expe- of surgical equip-
rience more comfortable for patients and ment. Equipment
Vivek Patel, MD, has been in and out their families. One of the biggest concerns is moved from op-
of operating rooms for over 15 years. A families have when their loved one is un- erating rooms to
board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon dergoing surgery is understanding what to the sterile process-
specializing in minimally invasive valve expect before surgery and being able to get ing department via
and open heart surgery, Patel performs updates on their loved one during the sur- dedicated elevators
cutting-edge procedures that treat com- gery. In a 2020-21 survey commissioned for clean instru-
mon heart conditions such as faulty heart by the American Board of Internal Med- ments and those
valves and clogged arteries.
icine Foundation, 600 physicians were requiring steril- Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute at Jupiter Medical Center.
As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Patel is keen- asked what the biggest challenge in ensur- ization. Jupiter
ly aware of his patients’ trust in him and ing patient trust is. Poor communication Medical Center has implemented several
his weighty responsibility to ensure their was cited as number one. different pathways for sterilization to max-
well-being while in his care. This care, Pa- Health care providers like Jupiter Medical imize efficiency, getting instruments back
tel is quick to point out, goes well beyond Center are making strides to make com- in surgeons’ hands quickly and seamlessly.
what happens in the operating room.
munication a priority. At the hospital’s The operating rooms are also designed for
“I think we need to look at the whole new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Insti- efficiency. Patel explains that operating
process, not just for patients, but for tute, families are kept up to date through- rooms can often get crowded, making a
their families too,” says Patel. He cites out their loved one’s surgery via patient surgeon’s job challenging. The operating
the new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical tracking monitors in the waiting rooms. rooms at the new surgical institute are er-
Institute at Jupiter Medical Center as an Families now have real-time updates on gonomically designed, allowing for ease
example of how surgical facilities are now their loved ones throughout their surgery, of use and efficiency during surgery. Five
being designed with features that give pa- minimizing the anxiety of waiting for robotic operating systems and two hybrid
tients and families peace of mind while news about their loved ones. operating rooms provide state-of-the-art
giving surgeons the technology they need Many of the patient benefits Patel is ex- technology, enabling surgeons to offer the
to ensure success. most cutting-edge surgical options to their
cited about happen behind the scenes at
“I have never worked in a better equipped the surgical institute. Efficiency in a surgi- patients, oftentimes with shorter recovery Vivek Patel, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon
times.
and integrated facility that vastly benefits cal setting is vitally important in ensuring
patients,” says Patel of the new surgical in- that surgeons can operate effectively while “All these changes will affect how health
stitute, which opened in December. ensuring the safety of patients. “A lot of care is delivered in Palm Beach Coun- For more information about the
thoughtful design went into the surgical ty,” says Patel. “We are centered on the Surgical Institute please visit
The benefits he refers to have less to do institute,” explains Patel. One area of en- patient. That’s the way medicine should
with the surgical instruments he uses and jupitermed.com.
hanced efficiency relates to the sterilization be practiced.”
Paid Advertisement