Technology is First of Its Kind in Brevard County
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – The 2015 Health First Foundation’s Grape Escape event recently raised more than $400,000 to benefit Brevard County’s first Hybrid Operating Room Suite, which will be located at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.
“Because of the generous spirit of this community, Health First will have the leading-edge technology to enhance the quality of life and life span for patients suffering from heart and vascular conditions, as well as those with traumatic injuries,” said Terry Mohr, president of the Health First Foundation.
More than 340 attended the event held Oct. 3 at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Disney World® and enjoyed a five-course meal and a wine tasting experience paired with each course. Guests also had the opportunity to participate in a live auction featuring valued wines, vacation packages and unique jewelry designed exclusively for the event by Wesche Jewelers.
The Hybrid OR diagnoses and treats patients in one local visit, regardless of whether they require a minimally invasive procedure or a more intricate surgical intervention. It also incorporates the advanced imaging of a radiology suite into the sterile environment of a specialized operating room allowing physicians to treat as they diagnose in real time. This one-stop approach means safer treatment, better outcomes, faster recoveries and shorter downtimes for heart patients.
Since its inception in 2002, the annual Grape Escape event has raised more than
$3 million for various world-class medical equipment and facilities to serve Brevard County residents.
The Honorary Chairs of the event were Phillip and Jeanne Farmer, and the event co-chairs were Greg Watson and Leasha Flammio-Watson, Dr. Steven and Valerie Karas, Bill and Patti Calhoun. The presenting sponsor of the 2015 Grape Escape event was Health First Heart & Vascular Service Line. Other sponsors included Flammio Financial Group/Leasha Flammio-Watson and Greg Watson, Harris Corporation, Cindy and Larry Bishop, M.D., and Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne. Health First is grateful for all of the more than 115 sponsors who helped make the event a success.
Founded in 1995, Health First is Brevard County’s not-for-profit, community healthcare system. The fully integrated delivery network (IDN) includes health insurance plans, hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group and outpatient and wellness services. To learn more about Health First and how we’re giving back to our community, visit HFgivesback.org.