Edward Waters College biology majors Ariana Vitale and Melvin Johnson have been selected to present their research projects at the annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students in Seattle.
The four-day conference is Nov. 11-14 and has more than 1,500 students participating in 12 disciplines of biomedical and behavioral sciences, as well as mathematics.
It’s designed to encourage minority students to pursue advanced training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies.
JU receives national coverage on gopher tortoise
A Jacksonville University biology professor and marine science student are using GPS mapping and burrow and remote game cameras to learn about threatened gopher tortoises.
The hope is to learn more about age, gender, eating patterns and living conditions along with the size and temperature of its burrows.
The effort was recognized nationally through the Emmy-award winning “Rock the Park” TV program, showcasing the research as part of its season that premiered Saturday.
The months-long study has been conducted by JU associate biology professor John Enz and marine science sophomore Alexandria Gagne on Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia. Research has been done in collaboration with officials at Maryville College and is partially funded through a grant from the JU Undergraduate Research Fund.
The team is analyzing data this semester, but preliminary results show more than 400 active burrows on the island, with more than 200 tortoises.
Three hospital systems form Coastal Community Health
Baptist Health, Flagler Hospital and Southeast Georgia Health System have formed a regional alliance called Coastal Community Health.
The three systems serve separate but contiguous markets spanning Brunswick to Jacksonville to St. Augustine. They’ll continue to operate independently as locally governed, community-focused systems.
Baptist Health President and CEO Hugh Greene will serve as initial CEO of Coastal Community.
Together, he said, the three can expand access and further their missions.
Joe Gordy, Flagler Hospital CEO, and Michael Scherneck, Southeast Georgia Health Systems CEO, will serve as executive vice presidents.
All three will retain their roles as CEOs of their health systems.
The Coastal Community board of directors comprises 12 members, three each from Flagler and Southeast and six from Baptist Health. The board chair for the initial three-year term is Clark Alger from Flagler Hospital. Vice chair is Michael Hodges from Southeast Georgia Health System.
Naval Station Mayport exhibit opens
The Beaches Museum & History Park will open its “Naval Station Mayport: Guardian of the Southern Frontier” at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The exhibit explores the history of the base and the impact it has had on the Beaches communities. It’s a collaboration of retired and active-duty military, local historians, the Mayport Mirror and Jacksonville Marine Maritime Heritage Center.
The opening night is free to museum members, with a $5 suggested donation from nonmembers.
The exhibit continues through Feb. 12.
Colliers closes on sale of local Publix-anchored center
The Northeast Florida Office of Colliers International last week closed on the sale of Island Walk, a 221,245-square-foot Publix-anchored neighborhood shopping center in Fernandina Beach. The sales price was $21.8 million.
The sales team represented both the buyer, Philips Edison & Co., and seller, CF Properties Corp. The team was led by President and CEO Robert Selton, principal Matt Entriken and senior brokerage associate Scott Rogers.
NAACP to host annual Freedom Fund dinner at Hyatt
The Jacksonville branch of the NAACP will host its 50th annual Freedom Fund Dinner at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
The annual event is a chance for the organization to salute citizens who have served Jacksonville in the area of civil rights. It also recognizes students who have been identified as semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students.
Individual tickets are $75; tables that seat 10 cost $600.
For more information, call (904) 768-2295 or (904) 764-1753.
Baptist Health seeks people impacted by cancer
Baptist Health wants to put a spotlight on Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia families and communities who want to end cancer.
And it wants to do so at the next Jacksonville Jaguars home game Oct. 18.
Those affected by any type of cancer or are an advocate for others in their fight are asked to send headshots by noon Oct. 6 to be honored through a mosaic displayed at the game.
Headshots or profile photos should be sent to [email protected]. Participants also are encouraged to post on social media using the #endcancerJAX hashtag.
Baptist Health is a faith-based, mission-driven system of care in Northeast Florida that comprises more than a dozen facilities, including Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
For more information, visit baptistjax.com.