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To provide more information and answer questions about treatment options for severe hip pain, including the anterior approach to hip replacement, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Peter Curcione will host free educational seminars on Wednesday, March 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center, 3400 Lee Blvd., Suite 105 in Lehigh Acres and Thursday, March 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Gulf Coast Medical Center, 13681 Doctors Way in Fort Myers.  The topics to be addressed will include:

• Osteoarthritis and causes of hip pain
• Treatment options including the anterior approach to hip replacement
• How hip replacement works, what to expect and recovery

For reservations, call 239-368-8277, ext. 2302. Refreshments will be served. Space is limited.

Hip replacement is a major surgery. While traditional hip replacement involves operating from the side or back of the hip, the direct anterior approach requires a smaller incision, about three to four inches long at the front or anterior of the hip.

For 52-year-old Robert Erkens from Lehigh Acres, daily hip pain is nothing new. Erkens was diagnosed with osteoarthritis more than 12 years ago. What started out as a nagging pain in his hip eventually grew worse over time.   

“I have lived in pain for all of these years, afraid of surgery,” says Erkens. “I could barely walk more than a mile throughout the course of a day. It was very limiting to my work and lifestyle.”

Working in the construction industry, Erkens was accustomed to physical labor so when the pain persisted, he made a career change and began working as a casino dealer. Still, the constant pain had him visiting physicians and exploring treatment options.

“I read up on the latest treatments for hip replacement and tried to prepare myself for the inevitable – surgery,” says Erkens. “When I first met Dr. Curcione, I was impressed with his knowledge and experiences with the various treatment options. He was very confident in recommending the anterior approach to hip replacement for me. We discussed the benefits – less risk for dislocation and torn muscles and shorter recovery times and he told me it was a decision that I would not regret.”

In December 2009, after more than a decade of living in pain, Erkens underwent the anterior approach to hip replacement.

“Dr. Curcione was right – I have no regrets,” says Erkens. “While I wish I’d done it sooner, I wasn’t inspired until meeting Dr. Curcione. I feel 20 years younger – I’m exercising, working and enjoying my life again. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

Dr. Peter Curcione is an osteopathic physician, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and a partner in the Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center. With offices in Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres, Curcione has served patients in Southwest Florida since 1997. His specialty training and interests include joint replacement surgery, including minimally-invasive procedures such as the anterior approach to hip replacement. In addition, Curcione is experienced and trained in treating disorders of the shoulder and the hand, including fracture care, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis care and reconstructive surgery of the hand. He is trained in arthroscopic shoulder surgery, specifically, all arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs and ligament repairs, as well as arthroscopic reconstruction of the shoulder. He takes great care to keep up to date with the most cutting-edge technologies and procedures to optimally serve his patients.

For more information, visit http://www.bone-fix.com/. View a broadcast of how the anterior approach to hip replacement surgery is performed. Also, visit Dr. Curcione’s blog at http://www.topbonedoc.com/ and follow him online on Facebook and twitter.com/topbonedoc.

Splash Family Waterpark has officially opened its gates for the 2010 season. The Cape Coral water park is home to more than 14 acres of attractions for visitors of all ages including the Main Stream River Tube Ride, Electric Slide, Power Surge, Cape Fear, a tot spot for small children and three heart-pounding speed slides, the Thunder Bump, Terror Tube and X-celerator.

Sun Splash will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 28. It will be open every day the week of April 1-11 for Lee County Public Schools’ spring break, then three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until schools dismiss for summer break in mid-June. The 2010 season will run through Sept. 26.

Early Bird season passes are still available through April 11 with prices ranging from $49 to $59 for Cape Coral residents and $69-$79 for non-residents, a savings of up to 29 percent off regular season pass prices. After April 11, season pass prices will go up to $69-$79 for Cape Coral residents and $89-$99 for non-residents.

Season pass benefits include a 15 percent discount at the Calypso Café and on Gift Shop merchandise, a 15 percent discount on same day guest tickets, a 10 percent discount on learn to swim classes, and $3 off the regular daily parking fee. This year, season pass holders can avoid daily parking fees by purchasing an unlimited season parking sticker for $19.95 plus tax.

For detailed pricing information and hours of operation, visit http://www.sunsplashwaterpark.com/. Season passes may be purchased by visiting the Sun Splash office, located at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., or at Cape Coral City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Blvd). For office hours, call 239-574-0558.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark is Southwest Florida’s largest waterpark with more than 14 acres of slides, pools, food and fun for all ages. It is located at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., just 2.5 miles north of Veterans Parkway in Cape Coral, Fla., and is open March through September. Sun Splash is owned and operated by the City of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department. For hours, ticket information and directions to the park, visit the Sun Splash Web site at http://www.sunsplashwaterpark.com/ or call 239-574-0558. Also, follow Sun Splash online on Facebook or twitter.com/sunsplashcc for park information and exclusive discounts.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida announces BB&T Insurance Services/Oswald Trippe & Company will be the title sponsor for the organization’s Business Hall of Fame, 2010 Lee County. In addition, Edison National Bank and Hope Hospice will be gold sponsors.

The Business Hall of Fame, 2010 Lee County dinner and awards ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on May 5 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Estero. At the event, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida will induct Jim Nathan of Lee Memorial Health System and Tom Uhler of Uhler and Vertich Financial Planners LLC. into the Lee County Business Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor recognizes prominent business leaders for their professional accomplishments and commitment to the community.

Gold sponsorships are still available for $5,000, while silver and bronze sponsorships are $1,650 and $850 respectively. Each sponsorship level offers a variety of benefits designed to provide sponsors with exposure in the business community. In addition, student sponsorships are available at the cost of $125 per ticket. By attending the event, students have a first-hand opportunity to practice business etiquette skills and interact with local professionals. Additionally, advertisements are available in the event program book for $500 for a half-page and $1,000 for a full-page.

Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement youth programs. To reserve tables or individual tickets or to become a sponsor, call the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida office at 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students that focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Today, 138 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional five million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. For more information, contact the local office at 239-225-2590 or visit http://www.jaswfl.org/ on the Web.

Stevens Construction Inc. has started renovation of the catheterization lab at the Florida Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, announced Mark Stevens, company president.

Located on the Sebring campus of the Florida Hospital Heartland Division, the renovation includes an upgrade to Philips Allura equipment providing state-of-the-art image quality, while allowing the center to accommodate additional emergency heart procedures.  Slated for completion in spring of 2010, the facility will remain in operation during construction.

Designed by HuntonBrady Architects, this project will be inspected and licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which ensures regulatory compliance for health care facilities throughout Florida.  

Christopher Cooke of Stevens Construction is the project manager; Mike Garland is superintendent; and Terri Sobeck is project administrator.

Stevens Construction has completed more than 15 projects for various campuses of the Florida Hospital. The company built a 36-bed, 50,000-square-foot expansion and remodeled a free-standing medical office on the hospital’s Sebring campus.

With offices in Maitland and Fort Myers, Fla., Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting, and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control, and warranty service. The company builds commercial, healthcare and hospitality facilities. For information, visit http://www.stevensconstructioninc.com/ or call 239-936-9006.

After nearly two years of trying to get pregnant, a diagnosis of endometriosis brought hope to Jennifer and Joseph Ariola of Fort Myers. After meeting with Dr. Craig R. Sweet, a reproductive endocrinologist and medical director of Specialists in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, the couple learned that Ariola was among the 30 to 40 percent of infertile women who have endometriosis.

“After struggling so long and not knowing the cause of our infertility, we were so hopeful to finally have an explanation and treatment options,” says Ariola. “It’s often a silent disease and many women, including myself, are unaware that they have it until they try for years unsuccessfully to have a baby. That’s why awareness is so important.”

National Endometriosis Awareness Month is an annual event to raise awareness about the disease, its symptoms, treatments and ongoing research. One of the leading causes of female infertility, endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease in which the cells from the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) grow outside the uterus and spread to other areas such as the pelvis and ovaries. The resulting damage can block the reproductive organs, in some cases preventing conception. In addition, chemical secretions from the endometriosis itself may interfere with fertility by harming eggs, sperm and embryos.The most common symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain, painful intercourse and painful periods. For many women, the pain of endometriosis is so severe and debilitating that it impacts their lives in significant ways. Yet once diagnosed, the condition is potentially treatable. 

“The only way to be sure a woman has endometriosis is to perform a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy that allows us look inside the pelvic cavity with a narrow telescope,” says Sweet. “Treatment is individualized for each patient and depends on several factors such as the severity and stage of the disease, its precise location, the woman’s age and the presence of pain or other symptoms. The good news is that 80 to 90 percent of the patients will have an improvement of their symptoms for up to a year following surgery. Depending on the stage of the disease, the chances of becoming pregnant also increase for most patients following treatment of the disease.”

After Sweet surgically removed the pelvic endometriosis and a polyp found within Ariola’s uterus, the couple tried to conceive naturally. Another six months passed without success and they found themselves back in Sweet’s office to discuss further treatment.

“Following diagnosis and treatment, about one-third of the women with endometriosis achieve pregnancy naturally,” says Sweet. “In some cases, however, ovulation induction combined with intra-uterine insemination or in vitro fertilization may be the next best steps with superb success rates.”

“Dr. Sweet shared with us the statistics, we discussed our chances and he offered us solutions,” says Ariola. “We opted for in vitro fertilization, a process during which my eggs were removed and harvested with my husband’s sperm. We then implanted our two embryos and fortunately, it worked on our first try. Last month, I gave birth to twins – a boy and a girl! As I hold my babies in my arms, I can honestly say it was all worth it.”

Specialists in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, P.A. is a reproductive endocrinology practice providing comprehensive and compassionate reproductive endocrine care including IVF, preimplantation genetic implantation diagnosis (PGD), egg donation, embryo donation, gestational surrogacy, conventional surrogacy, cryopreservation of ovarian/testicular cells/tissues, sex selection, gynecology, genetics, endocrinology as well as menopausal diagnostic and treatment services.For more information, visit www.dreamababy.com. Become a fan of Dr. Sweet on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

In last month’s blog, we emphasized the importance of photography as part of your media tool kit. Professional photography is ideal, but it isn’t always practical so we’d like to offer some tips for the non-professional photographers within your company who may find themselves responsible for capturing images that will appropriately represent your brand.

First of all, we’d like to suggest appointing a staff photographer for a couple of reasons. Specifically assigning this duty ensures someone is responsible and accountable for having the camera charged and ready. They should be responsible for asking the question, “Do we need photos of this event, person, meeting, etc.?”

Practice makes perfect and over time your staff photographer will become practiced at using the camera to achieve better and better images. Reading the owners manual is also an important step since cameras vary in their features, settings and icons. Fortunately, today’s high quality digital cameras, when used properly, do most of the work. Here are a few additional pointers to enhance results:

A Heads Up on Composition
Great photographers spend years perfecting their sense of composition, but the first step is just becoming aware of everything in the shot. Most of us have taken a really nice photo of someone only to realize later that there was a palm frond, lamp post or door jam directly in alignment with the top of their head. That’s just one example of a common problem with composition. The solution is for the photographer to develop a new habit of looking beyond the subject of the photo and actually seeing the background as well. Often a different angle or slight change of location will improve a photo greatly. Remember to pause and think about the composition of the photo and search the background for unwanted images before snapping your final shot.

Lighting the Way
Lighting is another major component of photography. Even with the best flash, photographers should plan carefully for the best lighting. If possible, plan outdoor photo sessions for the early morning or late afternoon. With the mid-day sun directly overhead, it is difficult to overcome the shadows that will naturally form. If you are planning to shoot a stationary object that can’t be moved, such as a building, choose a time when the sun is shining onto the façade. For example, a westward facing building should be photographed in the afternoon when the sun is in the west. In the morning, the sun will be behind the building in the east, casting it in shadow. Know the settings on your camera, and don’t be afraid to try different lighting options indoors. Often turning off florescent lights and turning on your camera’s flash will produce a more flattering outcome.

How to Pose
Not everyone feels natural in front of the camera, and it is the photographer’s job to coach the subject in the art of posing. If the subject is staring into bright sunlight, congratulate yourself on choosing good lighting, but it may cause them to blink a lot. Ask the subject to close their eyes and then open them on the count of three when you shoot. Encourage them to sit up straight. Is their head tilted too far up, or maybe it’s too far down? Be their mirror and look at every detail, from the way their clothing rumples to the way their feet are positioned. Success lies in avoiding unflattering details like stiffly crossed arms, a crooked tie or stray hairs.

Try Try Again
Photographers often feel rushed. The people in the photo are busy with other business priorities, ready to get back to the food and dancing at an event, or simply tired of posing. However, that’s exactly why you should keep trying until you get the photo you need. Once this photo opportunity gets away from you, there may not be another one. The best photographers engage the subject in the process. They put them at ease by making them laugh and explain why they want a few more shots. Make it clear you want to make them look good, and they are more likely to cooperate. Check the preview of each shot before taking another so you can correct composition, lighting and any other issues to get the best photo possible.

Stevens Construction Inc. has completed the renovations at Premier Surgery Center of Sarasota for Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America,  announced Mark Stevens, company president.

Construction entailed a renovation of 20 rooms within the existing facility, located at 983 Beneva Road in Sarasota. Modifications included the reconstruction of restroom facilities and various restorative enhancements. Stevens Construction also expanded the administrative office area and provided improvements to the lobby and waiting room. Two stage-two recovery rooms were also added to the surgery center, which remained in operation during construction. 

Christopher Cooke of Stevens Construction served as the project manager; Pete Garcia was the superintendent; and Terri Sobeck was project administrator. Robert DeVries of Hardaway Associates designed the project. 

With offices in Maitland and Fort Myers, Stevens Construction specializes in providing construction management, general contracting and consulting services to clients and design professionals. Other services include site and design team selection, budgeting, project scheduling, permitting, cost and quality control and warranty service. The company builds healthcare, commercial and hospitality facilities. For information, visit http://www.stevensconstructioninc.com/ or call 239-936-9006.

Gora/McGahey Architects was honored by the Fire Industry Equipment Research Organization (F.I.E.R.O.) for its design of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District’s Station 32. Gora/McGahey was the only Florida firm to earn the international recognition.

The nonprofit group, which primarily serves fire safety professionals in the Southeast, presented Gora/McGahey Architects with an award for the new three-story, 12,290-square-foot fire station located on Fort Myers Beach. The station includes a ground floor with three apparatus bays, bunker gear storage and a laundry/decontamination room; a second floor with living quarters, including six individual bunk rooms, an exercise room and a radio room; and a third-floor emergency operations center with offices, an open work station area and meeting/training facilities.

For the past 28 years, Gora/McGahey Architects has been Southwest Florida’s leading architectural design firm. Earning recognition from the Florida Southwest American Institute of Architects, The Florida Home Builders Association and the Lee County Building Industry Association, the firm has provided award-winning architectural and interior design services for a broad range of clients in the public and private sectors, including several leading area developers. For more information, call 239-275-0225 or visit http://www.gora-mcgahey.com/

Sun Splash Family Waterpark opens for the 2010 season on March 13. The Cape Coral water park is home to more than 14 acres of attractions for visitors of all ages including the Main Stream River Tube Ride, Electric Slide, Power Surge, Cape Fear and a tot spot for small children. More adventurous visitors will enjoy three heart-pounding speed slides, the Thunder Bump, Terror Tube and X-celerator.

“We are looking forward to another exciting season at Sun Splash and are pleased to offer affordable family fun to be enjoyed all season long,” said Michael Kalvort, Deputy Director of the City of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department.

Sun Splash will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 13 through March 28. The waterpark will be open every day the week of April 1-11 for Lee County Public Schools’ spring break, then three days a week (Friday-Sunday) until schools dismiss for summer break in mid-June. The park will be open seven days a week from June 16 until Aug. 22 and open Saturdays and Sundays August 23 through Sept. 26. Details about this year’s operating schedule are posted at www.SunSplashWaterpark.com.

“Early Bird” season passes are available through April 11 and offer savings up to 29 percent over regular season pass prices. Early Bird season passes are $49-$59 for Cape Coral residents and $69-$79 for non-residents through April 11. A list of season pass benefits is available online.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark is Southwest Florida’s largest waterpark with more than 14 acres of slides, pools, food and fun for all ages. It is located at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., just 2.5 miles north of Veterans Parkway in Cape Coral, Fla., and is open March through September. Sun Splash is owned and operated by the City of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department. For hours, ticket information and directions to the park, visit the Sun Splash Web site at http://www.sunsplashwaterpark.com/ or call 239-574-0558. Also, follow Sun Splash online on Facebook or twitter.com/sunsplashcc for park information and exclusive discounts.

BB&T has donated $2,500 to help the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA) Builders Care program provide free home repairs to disadvantage Lee County residents.

Bob Bassett, BB&T senior vice president, also serves as president on the Builders Care board of directors.

“This donation demonstrates BB&T’s ongoing commitment to the community and the building industry,” said Heidi Taulman, Builders Care executive director. “We are so grateful for the company’s continued support.”

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builders Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Most recent top corporate sponsors include Armadillo Underground and Real Estate Investment Society. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100 in Fort Myers. Donations can be made online at http://www.leebuilderscare.org/, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T (formerly Colonial Bank) Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.