Summary: Improving Future Health Outcomes In Greater Estero

The meeting provided a wealth of important information on Artificial Intelligence and telemedicine increasing use in healthcare; the benefits and services available to those who need help and support for a variety of circumstances in our community:  available help for carers and patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

Following the introductions and acknowledgments to the speakers, the meeting commenced with Jonathan Witenko’s summary of the way that Lee Health has embraced several developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Telemedicine.

Jonathan Witenko is the System Director, of Virtual Health and Telemedicine at Lee Health.

The value of telemedicine was identified by Jonathan following a serious head injury to his daughter several years ago, who has thankfully fully recovered because of the urgent need to see a neurosurgeon, where few existed, plus the need to transfer his daughter from Fort Myers to Miami, the importance of having immediate access to a specific specialist who could determine a diagnosis quickly and determine treatment offered significant advantages. While telemedicine became an important means of communicating with physicians during the peak of the COVID pandemic, Jonathan explained its introduction was now a part of Lee Health’s medical services. It offers particular value for patients who experience a stroke. Given the importance of receiving an assessment of the patient’s condition and suitable treatment because any delay will impact the patient’s outcome this is a valuable option. Because a specialist can be called upon immediately via a telephone link the time to treatment is significantly reduced leading to markedly improved outcomes.

Jonathan spoke briefly about the value of AI in the clinical, patient, and back-office setting. There is a need for its value to be carefully assessed and verified before implementation. He explained its value in:

• Drafting replies to inbox messages.
• Assisting physicians and nurses in preparing patient notes following their appointments. In this instance, the recording of the discussion will filter out unnecessary information and convert only the key information for retention saving a considerable amount of time.
• Imaging Assistance: where AI provides guidance on the significant aspects that have emerged and pinpoints their significance or otherwise.

Other areas where AI has been shown to provide additional value and improve efficiencies are

• Important steps have been made with the introduction by NCH, The Millenium Group, and Lee Health of the “Epic” system to enhance “interoperability”. This enables patient information to be more quickly and easily shared across different organizations when a patient happens to be involved with different organizations that carry out tests or where a physician is seen, to eliminate having to do repeat tests and have immediate access to the latest information about the patient regardless of who they saw.
• Collecting a patient’s vital information from attached or implanted devices.
• As a self-triage tool symptom checker.
• Enhancing the overall information available in a patient’s hospital room.
• A Self-Service Chatbot: Chatbots deliver instant, personalized support, and seamless experiences by eliminating frustrating wait times and ensuring consistent support across various channels.
• More efficiently tracking the patient through various stages of their investigations and/or treatment.

Jonathan pointed out that contrary to many who fear its introduction it will allow them to carry out their work more efficiently, and reduce the time spent on more menial tasks. Furthermore, they think they may lose their job, given the likely fall in the number of physicians and nurses that can be expected over the next few years, because of the interest and excitement by medical staff who have begun to understand the full benefits of AI (although care is needed to check its accuracy and performance) it will attract more people to the profession.   

Barbara Shearer, President, Neighbors Network of Lee County.

Barbara spoke passionately about the purpose and work of this very worthwhile organization. Its mission is to make the experience of aging in one’s home a feasible choice with neighbors helping neighbors across generations to create a socially connected community that benefits everyone. Once fully rolled out, its volunteers will provide a wide array of support services to help people live independently at home and in their local community.

As has been well-documented, loneliness has a very marked effect on reducing life expectancy. A neighbor in the Neighbors Network of Lee County brings joy and many benefits to both those who help and those who receive it.

There are many services available such as Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Breath-Body-Mind for stress management through control of breath, and Strong People-Strong Bodies, funded in part by Dr Piper Center Retired and Americorp Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) contract. This latter program is based upon two decades of clinical and community-based research that demonstrated the benefits of progressive strength training on midlife and older women’s health- specifically muscular strength and mass, bone health, heart disease, diabetes, frailty, falls, arthritis, depression, and sleep!

A new seminar series for 2024-2025 begins in October with a program on Medicare changes in 2025. Upcoming programs will cover making one’s home safe from falls, disaster preparedness, evidence-based complementary medical treatments, and reframing aging.

Check out the wide range of information available on the Neighbors Network of Lee County website:  https://leeneighbors.org/  

Telephone # 239-209-9867

 Mary Schoeffel, Executive Director of The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida.

Mary explained that Parkinson’s Disease is a disease that can affect people without them realizing it. Other than signs of aging such as muscle aches, constipation, and poor sleep patterns it can develop over ten years without a person knowing until tremors might begin. There is no definitive diagnosis but a DaTScan can be helpful in some cases. The best treatment was developed over 50 years ago – carbidopa/levodopa which helps replace diminishing levodopa in the brain. While there is no cure for this disorder the organization fosters a supportive community for those affected by PD. Their efforts aimed at patients and their caregivers encompass dedicated support programs, advocation, raising awareness, and educating healthcare professionals and the wider community about Parkinson’s disease.

For those who would like more information, there is a lot of helpful information on their website. You can also reach out to Mary or her colleague Sally Watts.

The Website: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/index.html

Telephone # 239-417-3465.    

Kay Jasso, CEO, The MS Center of SWFL.

Unfortunately, due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the local flooding in Kay’s neighborhood, she was unable to make the meeting. However, for those with family members or friends with MS and would like to learn a little more about the guidance provided by The MS Center you can check out their website and give Kay a call as she will be only too happy to help.

Website: https://centers4ms.org/ms-center-of-southwest-florida/

Telephone # 239- 319-0904

Jim Gilmartin, Engage Estero’s President.

Jim summarized several items that the organization is currently focused on.

Jim explained that the executive team has been busy, besides addressing issues related to improving health, safety, education, and the environment:

2025. Save the date: The 2024 Don Eslick Estero Persons of the Year award will be presented at the Vines Country Club on February 27th, 2025. The award will be given to Joe Pavich and his wife, Joni, for their long-term dedication and generosity to many deserving causes in Estero.
2026. Improving road safety in SW Florida: You will not want to miss an important meeting on October 24th at Estero Recreation Center!

iii.        Environment: A public forum on the impacts of climate change in Estero will be held on November 12th at 6 p.m. at FGCU’s Cohen Ballroom. This key discourse will address many aspects likely to affect us locally and what steps can be taken to mitigate the impact.

1. Converting septic systems to the main sewer significantly improves the Estero River and Estero Bay contamination. The process is lengthy because the Village must secure grants to minimize the cost to citizens. Engage Estero is monitoring this process.
2. Workforce Housing: This is significant for two reasons: a) to ensure we have teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers who can live in affordable accommodation and retain their services. b) to help reduce traffic density as a consequence.
3. Fundraising: Our mission is to conduct thorough research by listening to our citizens, evaluating local activities, and providing citizens with informed, unbiased facts. Furthermore, we organize educational forums to facilitate meaningful discourse and collaborate with other nonprofits to address significant community improvement efforts, such as focusing on Traffic, Growth, Development, and Water Quality issues. Secondary issues could include topics of immediate interest to citizens and donors. Financial support is required to continue our mission.