Jacksonville University’s College of Health Sciences building opened Thursday with a dedication of the 30,000-square-foot facility.
University leaders and local health partners emphasized JU’s history in health sciences with the community as well as future aspirations.
“Today we celebrate not only the opening of a state-of-the-art health sciences education building, but also the vibrant environment and renewed commitment toward academic excellence exploding on our campus,” JU President Tim Cost said in a news release.
Representatives from more than 300 health partners were in attendance for the ceremony.
The center has dedicated multipurpose learning environments, event space, a Simulation Training and Applied Research Center with 14 beds of newborn to adult patient mannequins (pictured), an atrium and more.
Jaguars personnel headline UNF Speakers Bureau
The University of North Florida Taylor Leadership Institute starts its Leadership Speakers Bureau series 6-7 p.m. Sept. 23 at Building 58W in the Student Union.
The first part of “Writing Your Success Story: The More Resolute the Drafts, the Better the Story” will feature Jacksonville Jaguars representatives Megha Parekh and Chad Johnson.
UNF men’s basketball coach Matthew Driscoll will moderate the discussion with a focus on team members working together for cohesive goals. The team representatives do that daily, as Parekh is vice president and general counsel and Johnson is a senior vice president of sales.
The two will discuss how intertwined the behind-the-scenes initiatives of leadership help are to on-field success.
Attendees are invited to a catered reception. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information or to register, contact Alison Kent at [email protected].
Heekin Orthopedics changes name
After 14 years, there’s a change for Heekin Orthopedics.
The business is now called Southeast Orthopedic Specialists to better reflect the regional level of service the 14 physicians provide.
“We made this change to reach further out into the community and broaden the scope of services we provide to patients,” said Dr. Gavan Duffy, company CEO.
The company has served North Florida for 14 years, specializing in orthopedic care in sports medicine, joint replacement, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, spine and pain management.
Art Walk to host second annual Oktoberfest
The October edition of Art Walk will have a familiar theme. For the second year in a row, the monthly celebration will have an Oktoberfest theme at Hemming Plaza.
Hosted by Kerry Speckman, the event will have a beer garden block party with German, seasonal and local brews; live oompah-pah music by Dan Witucki and Mein Heimatland; German-inspired dishes from local restaurants; and contests and activities for all ages, including pumpkin painting and a beer–stein holding contest.
As with every Art Walk, local artists will be showcasing their work in the plaza.
It all takes place 5-10 p.m. Oct. 1. For more information, visit ilovewartwalk.com.
Author presentation canceled at Main Library
Due to unforeseen circumstances, author and folks musician Ron Johnson has canceled his book signing and presentation, “North Florida Folk Music: History and Tradition,” scheduled Tuesday at the Main Library.
The event will not be rescheduled.
Jacksonville’s 2nd Floor Marketing acquired by imobile3
2nd Floor Marketing, a Jacksonville digital marketing strategies company founded in 2010, has been purchased by imobile3.
The acquiring company is an industry leader for mobile point-of-sale and mobile storefront applications.
“With mobile technology changing the way consumers are making purchasing decisions and the cutting-edge technology iMobile3 is developing — combining the expertise of both companies made the logical decision to bring it all together,” said Bill Clifford, founder of 2nd Floor, in a news release. “We are very excited about the future of the industry and our partnership.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Baptist part of new brain aneurysms treatment trial
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville is part of an international trial evaluating a new treatment for ruptured and un-ruptured brain aneurysms.
The WEB Intrasaccular Therapy Study is approved to enroll 139 patients at up to 25 sites in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville had the first cases in Florida performed Monday by Dr. Ricardo Hanel. The center also is the second site in the U.S. where the procedure was conducted.
The WEB Aneurysm Embolization System consists of a dense mesh placed into an aneurysm that reduces and eventually stops the amount of blood flow and allows it to heal.
“This device brings a much improved opportunity for minimally invasive treatment with hopefully better durability for patients harboring aneurysms that are typically treated with an open craniotomy surgery to repair the aneurysm or complex endovascular reconstructions,” Hanel said.
Hanel also is director of the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center at Baptist Jacksonville with neurovascular surgeon Dr. Eric Sauvageau.
Potential candidates interested in the treatment can visit baptistjax.com/services/stroke-and-cerebrovascular-care for more information.
JCCI to host 40th annual meeting
The 2014 Jacksonville Community Council Inc. meeting will be Oct. 14 Downtown at the Omni Hotel.
A reception and silent auction will start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the program starting at 7:30 p.m. The keynote speaker is Herschel Walker, the former Heisman Trophy winner and college football Hall of Fame honoree.
The former player has struggled with a mental health disorder, which he wrote about in his autobiography, “Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder.”
The keynote also ties into the organization’s latest inquiry release, “Unlocking the Piece: Community Mental Health in Northeast Florida.” In addition, board officers and members for 2014-15 will be elected and there will be a celebration of 40 years of volunteers with the organization.
Individual tickets are $100, with sponsor tables ranging from $1,000-$7,500.
For more information, visit jcci.org.
Austin joins Cultural Council
Daniel Austin is joining the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville as communications manager at the end of the month.
Austin currently works with Jacksonville Community Council Inc. and will be leaving Sept. 26.
The cultural council “champions the appreciation, relevance and expression” of art and culture in Jacksonville and administers the city’s Art in Public Places program.