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Healing Wounds In Horses

Healing Wounds In Horses
Keep Your Horse In The Ring With Help From The Wound-Care Experts At VetBlue

By Sydney Jones 

During the grueling 12 weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, the chance of injury is high due to the stiff competition and the longevity of the show series. Whether your horse suffers from a minor wound, such as a boot rub or grab wound, or a more significant injury where proud flesh is present, VetBlue understands that healing wounds as quickly and efficiently as possible is critical to success in the ring.

With a diverse set of wound care products to treat a variety of wounds, VetBlue can keep you and your horse in the competition and on your way to many more blue ribbons.

As an extension of the longtime human wound care product Hydrofera, VetBlue exists to provide the same trusted healing practices to animals. VetBlue delivers superior clinical outcomes to feline, canine and equine species by providing prime conditions for natural wound healing, so wounds can heal efficiently and completely.

The dynamic range of VetBlue helps in all phases of the healing process, allowing patients to get back to feeling themselves as quickly as possible.

“VetBlue is superior to other wound care products because it is an ‘all in one’ product,” local VetBlue representative Abbi Bentz explained. “It is antibacterial and antifungal, it debrides dead tissue, it helps to decrease inflammation, it provides an analgesic effect, it absorbs exudate, and it provides a moist environment for wound healing. In addition, it protects the wound from insects and other organisms, helps wounds to heal faster, and does not contain any banned substances, so there is no withdrawal time for competition horses.”

Wound care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and VetBlue aims to treat as many wounds as possible. The PVA foam is designated for severe wounds where there is dead tissue or proud flesh present. This flagship product improves epithelialization while wicking exudate and debris from the wound bed. The result is a multifaceted, non-toxic healing environment that kills bacteria and reduces bioburden.

VetBlue’s PU foam is more appropriate for shallow wounds, such as boot rubs or grab wounds. This product tackles wounds with higher exudate, managing absorption of the secretions while maintaining a moist wound bed. VetBlue also offers tunnel dressings to help with tough-to-get areas.

Veterinarian Dr. Crystalyn J. Kasa, who is also local to the Wellington area, has seen the benefits of VetBlue.

“VetBlue has been an excellent wound-healing element I have added to my practice,” Kasa said. “It is cost effective and very easy for clients to use. The variety in the size and type of PVA, PU and tunnel dressing provide many options for use. I have seen incredible rates of healing with exudative wounds, chronic non-healing wounds and proud flesh. The tunnel has been a remarkable replacement for penrose drains. The bio-burden indicator is helpful for client assessment of wound healing. VetBlue has been my go-to for managing a diversity of wounds.”

Bentz has done a lot of work throughout Wellington and South Florida. In some cases, VetBlue has given animals, like Streaker, a second chance at life. He was found abandoned at a boarding facility, during which time a fly mask and bandage around his leg started to merge with his skin. Five different veterinarians treated his wounds with several injections and creams, but nothing provided a long-term solution.

Vicki Moore, Streaker’s owner, is thankful they found VetBlue when they did. “He’s a completely different horse,” Moore said. “He used to not even be able to bend his leg; it was all so swollen. Now you can’t even tell where his wounds used to be in some places.”

Although Streaker’s healing process on VetBlue has lasted months, the wound care foams also work for the quick fixes as well. The smaller wounds that horses at WEF are more likely to experience can turn into big problems if not treated properly and quickly.

“It is bad enough for animals to get a wound, but they are highly susceptible to getting secondary infections, and for the wounds to get bigger if not treated quickly,” Bentz said. “Animals go through the same stages of wound healing as humans. Most people will immediately clean a new wound and apply a Band-Aid. It is even more important for animals, who are exposed to more microorganisms, often lick their wounds and don’t have the ability to protect their wounds from further injury.”

The team at VetBlue prides themselves on their products’ ability to heal small grab wounds as quickly as one day.

Another important piece of VetBlue’s mission is to provide as much education about proper wound care as possible. Bentz is a certified BS, RN and CRRN, and participates in barn visits throughout the Wellington area to provide hands-on tutorials to grooms, barn owners, riders and more about proper wound care and the uses of VetBlue, ensuring that the product will be effectively applied and will lead to fast and more efficient healing.

“I hope that clients who start using VetBlue see firsthand the benefits, and tell other animal owners about VetBlue,” Bentz said.

If you are interested in trying VetBlue, contact Abbi Bentz at (561) 789-6076 or abbi@equinewoundcare.com.

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Charming Villa In Wellington

Charming Villa In Wellington Home Features A Beautiful Lakefront View In The Pelican Key Area At Wellington’s Edge

Photos Courtesy Coldwell Banker Realty/Andrew Burr Group

Enjoy your morning coffee with a beautiful lakefront view from the screened-in patio in this three-bedroom, two-bath villa at Pelican Key in the conveniently located Wellington’s Edge gated community. This bright, airy move-in-ready villa features vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan, a walk-in closet, a third bedroom that can be used as den or office, a one-car garage, luxury vinyl-plank flooring throughout, tile in baths, plantation shutters and stainless-steel appliances. Refresh and relax at the community’s clubhouse, pool, fitness center and tennis courts. Enjoy the peaceful lakefront and tropical walking paths available. The location offers nearby restaurants, shopping, entertainment and equestrian events — all with the unique flair of Wellington.

Wellington’s Edge Property Presented By Randy & Leslie Pfeiffer

Meet Randy and Leslie Pfeiffer

Randy & Leslie Pfeiffer
Realtors,
Andrew Burr Group

12300 South Shore Blvd., Suite 100
Wellington, FL 33414
randy.pfeiffer@cbrealty.com
leslie.pfeiffer@cbrealty.com

Randy and Leslie Pfeiffer have enjoyed living and working in the western communities for more than 25 years. Originally from Westfield, New Jersey, Randy began his career in investment banking in Chicago, where he developed his negotiation skills. There he met his wife Leslie, a schoolteacher. After moving to Palm Beach County, they formed their own company, Pfeiffer Financial Services, working with hundreds of satisfied clients as investment and estate-planning professionals.

Randy and Leslie are actively involved in community service through leadership and support of local programs and activities using their time and talents to make the world a better place and help those in need. Randy has been a Rotarian for more than 25 years and is a past president of the Wellington Rotary Club and currently serves on its board of directors. Leslie is an art and education advocate, serving on the boards and committees of local organizations. They enjoy art and music, and support art and cultural initiatives locally and regionally.

With unparalleled technology, local market knowledge, ability and desire, they will find the perfect home or buyer, and be there for clients every step of the way, from finding the home, touring it, negotiating and putting the home under contract, inspections, obtaining insurance, walking through the closing process, right up to the final walk-through.

Learn more about Randy & Leslie Pfeiffer at www.pfeifferrealtors.com

 

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From Oprah To ‘Shark Tank,’ Cheese And Charcuterie Board Company Boarderie Is On A Roll

From Oprah To ‘Shark Tank,’ Cheese And Charcuterie Board Company Boarderie Is On A Roll

It has been an outstanding end to a successful year for the locally owned cheese and charcuterie board company Boarderie, which offers beautiful and taste-tempting products for the holiday season and all year round.

Boarderie has truly been a group effort on the part of four partners — Aaron Menitoff (co-CEO and managing partner), Rachel Solomon (co-CEO and partner), Julie Larson Menitoff (co-COO and partner) and Angel Jerez (co-COO, partner, sommelier and cheesemonger).

The team operates very much like siblings who have strong opinions and rely heavily on each other for guidance and assistance to make it through the long days and stressful decisions. They laugh, agree, disagree, support each other, and at the end of the day, they love each other as siblings do.

Boarderie was honored by Oprah Winfrey in November on her exclusive “Favorite Things” list and featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” TV show on Friday, Nov. 18, where they sealed a deal with Shark Lori Greiner. Boarderie is the first and only company shipping completely pre-assembled, catering-quality cheese and charcuterie boards overnight, nationwide.

Aaron Menitoff and his wife Julie Larson operated a gourmet catering company in the Palm Beach area for 20 years. With deep roots in Wellington’s equestrian community, and working with clients like Prince Harry, Ferrari International and StubHub at the Super Bowl, they were at the peak of their career.

However, when the pandemic hit, all events were canceled overnight, and they needed to pivot to keep their staff employed and business afloat. They knew cheese and charcuterie was one of the fastest-growing culinary trends, and that e-commerce was the only way to adapt to the new COVID-19 world, so they set out to create the first-ever completely pre-arranged cheese and charcuterie boards that could be shipped overnight from coast to coast.

Aaron and Julie literally bet the farm on Boarderie. They used all of their savings, took a home equity line against the farm, a Small Business Association loan and a line of credit against the catering business.

They used the money to retrofit their catering facility to accommodate board production, keep the staff paid and buy inventory. The company launched its first online sales channel with Goldbelly in October 2020, and by December of that year, they were one of the top-selling products out of 1,000 competitors!

The focus has been providing hassle-free, catering-quality displays that could be shipped overnight directly to customer’s doors… taking catering into the e-commerce space, where it has thrived.

But even after a storied life and career to date — including having built and operated a surf and yoga hotel in Nicaragua; living on a farm with chickens, goats, bunnies and horses; and having served thousands of meals doing disaster relief food service post hurricanes in Florida for the past six storms — they did not know or really anticipate that Boarderie would fill a major gap in the edible gifting market.

Traditional food gifts have fallen behind, Aaron Menitoff explained. They underserve their customers with inefficient, outdated and impersonal products. Boarderie, he said, serves customers whether they are hosting at home, sending a spectacular gourmet gift or simply want to indulge on their own. The company even does custom logo engraving on the keepsake wood boards for corporate gifting, which has been a big hit for companies looking to send a unique experience.

“One board has dozens of flavor combinations, so mixing and matching various ingredients in different assortments gives endless pairings for guests to experience,” Menitoff said. “We like to call it ‘Eventertainment,’ which we think is an experiential activity based around the sharing of food and friends, which are our two biggest passions in life.”

He is particularly proud of the wonderful boards available for this holiday season.

“This holiday season, we have our best boards yet and are shipping overnight nationwide all season long,” Menitoff said. “Don’t forget to schedule your holiday orders as soon as possible. At Boarderie.com, you can select delivery dates up to 365 days in advance and ship all of your holiday orders to multiple addresses in one simple order by selecting ‘ship to multiple addresses at checkout.’”

Visit www.boarderie.com to see the full range of boards available from Boarderie.

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’Tis The Season Ring

’Tis The Season Ring In The Holidays At The Mall At Wellington Green With Some Seasonal Celebrations, Epicurean Adventures And Thoughtful Gifts  

It’s holiday time, and you can wow everyone on your wish list with a cornucopia of Santa-approved gifts from get-noticed fashion to sweet surprises your little angels will cherish — all available at the Mall at Wellington Green.

FOR HER
Give the gift of glowing skin with Ella Bella Collection’s holistic skincare line of soaps, scrubs and moisturizers formulated with dermis-enriching vitamins and organic essential oils perfectly suited for any skin type.

For the lady who loves to make an entrance, look no further than Dawn Bacchus. The former beauty pageant winner outfits her eponymous boutique with lovely, one-of-a-kind separates, as well as her own vibrant, hand-painted pieces.
If a woman’s hair is her crown, then The Hair Doctor is her kingdom. Services at this state-of-the-art salon range from cuts and extensions to bespoke wigs and hair replacement.
Designer-inspired pendants, bracelets and stacking rings at the Jewelry Box offer exceptional value and make ritzy treasures your ice princess will love without breaking the bank.

FOR HIM
Indulge his sartorial, luxe-meets-street-style aesthetic at Laced, where outré designer styles and limited-edition athletic footwear are always on display.

A paradise for sports fans, Palm Beach Autographs carries hundreds of authenticated, autographed memorabilia and hosts in-store signings with current and former pro athletes like Pete Rose and Mike Tyson, who visit next month.

Lifetime Kitchen carries all the top-of-the-line tools and accessories your home chef needs, such as Staub grills and Miyabi knives — plus it will price-match anyone, including Amazon.
Treat him to an afternoon of pampering at ManCave for Men, a luxury barbershop featuring indulgent treatments, and hair and skin services are complemented with a mug of beer.

FOR THE KIDS
At GameStop, the world’s largest retail gaming destination, you’ll find plenty of top-rated games, consoles, gadgets and accessories to satisfy your favorite gamer.

Known for its alternative ensembles, Hot Topic also carries fandom apparel, pop-culture merchandise and geek chic ephemera that young fashionistas will love.

Celebrate her passions, accomplishments and milestones with a Pandora charm bracelet that doubles as chic wrist candy.

Making squishy slime is a cerebral and stress-relieving experience, especially for kids who can stir up their own batches with cool additives like glitter and beads at The Slime Factory, which offers full and express experiences and monthly passes.

FESTIVE FEASTING
While you’re shopping, explore the deliciousness of multicultural cuisine at the amazing ethnic eateries available at the Mall at Wellington Green.

Q’Bola Café — Transport your palette to the Yucatan Peninsula at this bright, fast-casual spot that prepares flavorful staples like salchipapas, Hispanic sandwiches and Cuban pizza.

Maoz Vegetarian — Falafel balls with healthful accompaniments ground the menu that also features fresh-pressed juices, fruit bowls and tasty handhelds like its signature hummus, egg and eggplant sandwich.

The Madre’s Mexican Fresh — At this Wellington outpost, diners can build their own Mexican-style meals with a selection of grilled meats, market-fresh ingredients and delicious sides. Churros drizzled with dulce de leche or Nutella sauce is the perfect finish.

Keywa’s — Owners Julian Sierra and Tania Eifert opened their dessert counter with an emphasis on savory and sweet crepes named after popular travel destinations, including Colombia and Peru to honor their South American roots.

The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 227-6900 or visit www.shopwellingtongreen.com.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Get into the spirit of the season with an array of holiday happenings at the Mall at Wellington Green.

Saturday, Dec. 3: The Holiday Musicthon, hosted by the Palm Beach County Music Teachers Association, commemorates the sound of music with piano performances by school children from around the Palm Beaches.

Sunday, Dec. 4: Sensory Santa was founded so children with special needs can experience this classic holiday visit in a sensory-friendly environment. Beneath soft lights and falling snow, kids will enjoy structured, no-stress activities and a “slow” photo session with Father Christmas before the mall opens.

Monday, Dec. 5: Get your four-legged pals into the Christmas spirit with a Paws ’n’ Claus photo package that comes with a goodie bag full of scrumptious pet treats and a gift for their parents.

Saturday, Dec. 10: The Merry Little Breakfast is a pre-holiday shopping must-do with special appearances by the Ice Princess and Rudolph the Red Nosed-Reindeer, live entertainment and a scrumptious send-off from Chick-fil-A.

Tuesday, Dec. 13: Plié. Shuffle. Cartwheel. Repeat. At the Holiday Dance Recital, experience an evening of exciting acrobatic and rhythmic performances by students from the Academy of Dance and Acrobatics and BeastMakers Dance Studio.

Wednesday, Dec. 14: Skip gift-wrapping at home and head to the Mommy and Me Wrap-Up Party for fun activities like personalizing ornaments and singing Christmas melodies with Miss Chloe of Chloe’s Kids.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Part of the mall’s Share the Spirit Gift Card Giveaway, random recipients will receive gift cards in amounts of $100 and $50 one to keep and one to pay forward.

Wednesday, Dec. 21: Kick off the Festival of Lights with a Menorah-Lighting Ceremony featuring a bubble show, Hanukkah-inspired activities like dreidel-making and traditional treats like sufganiyot.

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Staffing Solutions For Households

Staffing Solutions For Households The Wellington Agency Can Provide Nannies, Housekeepers, Butlers, Private Chefs, Drivers & More

By Mike May

When it comes to finding domestic assistance, look no further than the Wellington Agency, which is based here in Wellington but serves households across South Florida and beyond.

Whether you need a maid, driver, housekeeper, house manager, laundress, baby nurse, nanny, governess, butler, private chef or a private security detail, the Wellington Agency can meet your needs. The firm is currently providing professional assistance to clients who own homes not only in Wellington, but in Miami, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton, New York City, the Hamptons and even across the pond in London.

The roots of the Wellington Agency, operated by Founder/President April Berube, can be traced back to her small business in New England in the mid-1990s, and to Berube’s positive childhood memories of visits to Palm Beach County to see her grandparents back in the 1970s and 1980s.

“I started my own childcare business in 1995 when I was 23 and a new, young mother,” Berube recalled. “It was called Nanny Poppins.”

After a series of long, cold winters in Boston, Berube and her husband Mark wanted to live somewhere warmer in the winter. They discovered Wellington.

“We looked for somewhere that was warm and beautiful,” Berube recalled. “I remember visiting my grandparents when I was a child, and they lived in Palm Beach County. It was always beautiful down here. In our search for a place, Wellington kept popping up, so we moved here in 2004. In 2006, we started Wellington Nannies, which provided childcare services for families of young children. My husband and I wanted to contribute and make a difference in the community.”

The family did contribute to the community and continues to do so. According to Berube, the evolution of the Wellington Agency from Wellington Nannies was a natural one.

“Many of my clients started asking about my ability to provide staffing for their yachts and private planes, as well as looking after their children,” she recalled.

Clearly, there was a professional staffing niche that needed to be filled. So, Berube filled it. The Wellington Agency was founded in 2009. Based on one referral after another, her business has skyrocketed and continues to soar.

“The business community in Wellington has been very good to us,” Berube said. “Companies and residents of Wellington are good about doing business with one another.”

Just as the business has grown, her family has expanded, as well. She and her husband are now the proud parents of three grown children — Jordan, Joelle and Lily.

As for the rise of the Wellington Agency, its success is all based on integrity and a commitment to excellence.

“At the Wellington Agency, your satisfaction is so important to us that we guarantee all placements for the length of the commitment,” Berube said. “This is almost unheard of in a domestic staffing agency. We are also very thorough with our background and reference checks. When we are contacted, we provide staff for all the homes of any particular family. Many of them have multiple homes in Los Angeles, New York City or in Europe.”

Berube and her staff provide first-class individuals to clients because her clients require it.

“The domestic staff you’ll have access to at the Wellington Agency are the best in the industry because of our advanced training and previous experience requirements,” Berube said. “All candidates represented by our agency must have a solid background in the field they are applying for, along with excellent references from previous families. This ensures their competency and trustworthiness. All of our candidates have completed long-term assignments and are looking for families who recognize and appreciate their level of experience.”

The Wellington Agency only fills vacancies for full-time/long-term roles or seasonal work. There are no weekly or weekend assignments.

Berube values her relationships with her clients and works hard to help them develop long-lasting relationships with their domestic help. She also wants those employees to have a positive, long-lasting relationship with their employers, too.

The Wellington Agency provides continued support, placement counseling and even household mediation services, if necessary, to its clients throughout the hiring and employment process. The agency hires the best and most qualified domestic help and staff for clients. Currently, the four most commonly requested categories of help are for full-time housekeepers, private chefs, house/estate managers and drivers.

According to Berube, a housekeeper is much more than just a house cleaner or maid; talented and creative private chefs are in high demand; house/estate managers are becoming a common request; and many people who come from big cities, such as New York, don’t drive because they lived in a city where they either walked or used public or private transportation.

The role of the house manager is particularly popular for families who are always on the go and require help with daily demands in their multiple homes.

“The house manager runs the house and all domestic staff report to the house manager, not the owner of the home,” Berube explained. “The house manager makes sure outside vendors, such as lawn care professionals or pool companies, get access to the homes, get their jobs done and everything is in perfect running order for the owners when they arrive.”

If you need domestic help at your home in Wellington or elsewhere, call (561) 713-2663 or contact April Berube at april@thewellingtonagency.com. Learn more about the firm at www.thewellingtonagency.com. The office is located in the Chancellor Building at 12008 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington.

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Wine Soiree Fundraiser

Wine Soiree Fundraiser Women Of The Wellington Chamber Event Supports The Talented Teen Club

By Deborah Welky

The Women of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce (WOW) held its annual wine-tasting soiree last month. The event attracted more than 50 guests and netted more than $1,000 for the Talented Teen Club, so that the nonprofit can provide gift cards for teens at holiday time.

Hosted Oct. 13 at the Hive Suites on Fairlane Farms Road and sponsored by the JH Massey Group, the wine-tasting was led by Sunny Hawkins of Scout & Cellar, purveyor of “clean-crafted” wines.

“Scout & Cellar is a member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and, when we approached Sunny Hawkins about helping us with our fundraiser, she graciously agreed,” Event Coordinator Sherron Permashwar said. “We had 10 charcuterie boards around the room — everything from savory to sweet — and Sunny gave the guests samples of five different wines, while she explained the kinds of wine, the pouring of wine and the pairing of wines. Scout & Cellar also donated a dozen bottles of wine for a raffle, with the winners announced after the tasting.”

The guests also got to meet a grateful representative from the Talented Teen Club.

“That donation will help put some lovely smiles on faces at our Gifts for Teens event on Dec. 17,” said Shawn Ho-Hing King, founder of this local nonprofit organization. “We’ve been giving out gift cards for so many years to older kids who are sometimes overlooked by those donating to Toys for Tots. This year, we are estimating having more than 400 families at our Greenacres location. We are so, so grateful to the Wellington Chamber. They have really stepped up.”

Jennifer Massey-Hernandez, of the business brokerage JH Massey Group, was honored to be the event’s primary sponsor.

“We proudly sponsored this event to provide guests a rewarding evening out, coming together for an amazing cause of support and love, not only for Talented Teens, but also for women supporting other women and their businesses,” she said. The Women of Wellington is a collective group of like-minded businesswomen driven to make a difference in the community, while supporting one another’s business, thereby creating a network of sustainable contacts and resources.”

Formed nearly 10 years ago, WOW hosts approximately four philanthropic events a year, each with a different beneficiary.

“We love supporting our chamber community through supporting our chamber members,” Massey-Hernandez said. “Therefore, we always look for great ways to incorporate the various philanthropic types of nonprofits that are in our chamber. The Talented Teen Club has a great mission and was a perfect fit, especially leading up to the holidays. Teens are so often forgotten during the holiday season — and providing something to gift them for the holidays was our pleasure.”

The nonprofit Talented Teen Club was founded by King 17 years ago in an effort to build self-esteem and self-confidence in teens through various programs.

“I lost my mother when I was 10 years old and, to this day, it’s the biggest loss of my life,” King said. “But it was most difficult during my teen years. Fortunately, I was gifted the natural ability to do hair. I got into the beauty industry, and it literally saved my life. So that’s what I want our teens to do — go toward their natural gifts and abilities and use that vehicle to build self-esteem and self-confidence.”

She is particularly thankful for the ability to help teenage girls.

“In the beauty industry, I deal with so many women who don’t find their superpower early,” King said. “When I realized that, it really put the gas in my tank to form the club. What if I could give young girls and boys the ability to dream and to use their God-given gifts and discover their own superpowers earlier than I did?”

She works closely with her board to decide which programs to put in place by listening to what the teens’ dreams are. “We find a teen’s natural talents, and then get them a mentor in that area,” King said. “If they have leadership qualities, our Leadership Academy program will help them get into leadership roles at their school, or at least as a person, within themselves. Our Track-and-Field program is geared toward helping teens receive scholarships, as well as being good for their mental health and as an outlet for some physical activity as they navigate this crazy world. Our Youth Cosmetology program and the associated Cosmetology Apprenticeship program gives teens the skillset necessary to go into the beauty industry of their choice.”

The Talented Teen Club also works to make sure students, especially Title 1 students, have the school supplies necessary at back-to-school time and, of course, gift cards at holiday time.

“We make sure they get some love at Christmastime and throughout the year,” King said. “The families are so grateful. When you read the notes and letters that they write, just to get on the list… We try to open up our doors each year to new families that are struggling and really need our help.”

To donate in time for holiday giving, contact the Talented Teen Club at (561) 649-1234 by Dec. 10 so the group has time to wrap each gift. Volunteers are also always needed.

Learn more about the Talented Teen Club at www.talentedteenclub.org. For more information about the Women of the Wellington Chamber, visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

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Treating Patients With Care & Compassion

Treating Patients With Care & Compassion Wellington’s Dr. Katherine Brazzale Is The New Chief Medical Officer At Trustbridge

By Deborah Welky

Dr. Katherine Brazzale, a Wellington resident who was recently promoted to chief medical officer at Trustbridge, grew up in England and was studying to be an architect at University College London when she recognized medicine as her true calling.

Brazzale then fell in love with an American and moved to the United States in 2004. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Florida, where she was chief resident at Shands in 2008 before becoming the first-ever physician fellow for hospice and palliative care by Trustbridge that same year.

Trustbridge is the nonprofit umbrella organization for Hospice of Palm Beach County, Hospice of Broward County and Hospice by the Sea. Having long worked with pediatric hospice patients for Trustbridge, Brazzale became chief medical officer for the organization this year.

“I love Trustbridge because it’s nonprofit,” Brazzale said. “Being English, I come from a National Health Service, and I am uncomfortable with the fact that money often delineates what kind of healthcare you get in America. Also, many people are under the impression that ‘hospice’ means that they’re going to take away all your medicines and you’re going to die. Not at Trustbridge. Most of our patients are on Medicare, but Medicare funding is fairly minimal. Here, we can apply to our foundation to get grants for treatments that are not available through regular hospice. For instance, if Medicare doesn’t cover it, but you need a month or two more of dialysis so you can attend your daughter’s wedding, we can go to our foundation for the funding.”

Brazzale said she loves working with her team, a 130-member group comprised of 30 board-certified or board-eligible doctors, as well as nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. She loves their creative process of “finding a way.”

“Whenever a patient needs something, I’m never told no. I’m just asked how I’m going to do it,” Brazzale said. “You have to think outside the box. Some of the situations you walk into, it’s challenging. Most of the patients are very sick, and we get invited into people’s lives — the whole family’s lives. So, I feel it’s a real privilege. They’re in a vulnerable state, and they reveal so much to us. They allow us to get involved.”

What she tells her team, first and foremost, is to listen.

“You have to be so careful when you’re entering someone’s home,” Brazzale said. “You want to create a sense of trust. This person may be in real trouble, and you have to assimilate information very fast. I suggest saying as little as possible. Let them talk. If you look around, are observant, you’ll get clues as to how things are going. You may see a medical drip, an oxygen tank. You may be able to guess what religion they may be or whether they’re alone. In the 15 minutes we are there for a first visit, there are so many pieces of information we gain in homes that can help us, as opposed to in a clinic. I tell my team to remain humble and respectful. Don’t sit down unless invited. Create the relationship from there. Foster a feeling of trust.”

In hospice situations, that can be a challenge.

“Some patients are resentful, filled with hostility. Some view me as the Grim Reaper,” Brazzale said. “Or maybe the daughter thought it was a good idea, but the patient doesn’t want me there. These people typically have a lot of anger. They’re angry that they’re sick, and they’re frightened. The worst thing would be that they don’t let you in or ask you to leave. It can go horribly wrong. You need to tread lightly and listen. You want to meet the needs of the patient, rather than deciding what you think they need. If a patient asks me to leave, I leave. I’ll try to reach out again later, but it depends how much turmoil there is.”

In many situations, the whole family may be under stress. That’s when Brazzale may bring along another team member.

“If a patient is having a hard time with wound care or symptom management, that’s my job,” Brazzale said. “It often helps to have a joint visit that includes a nurse or chaplain. But if a family member or spouse is also having issues, I might bring along a social worker, who can be working with the spouse while I’m working with the patient. That’s the beauty of hospice — you’re working as a team the whole time.”

Trustbridge’s efforts extend beyond the patient in many ways. Among the many bereavement programs offered is Club Seahorse.

“Once a year, children who are bereaved come together in a camp run by Trustbridge volunteers,” she explained. “And we have a bereavement team who reaches out to family members after the patient has passed to let them know that there are bereavement groups out there if they need them.”

Pet therapy and music therapy are also Trustbridge offerings.

“Music therapy is not just entertainment,” Brazzale said. “Particularly in dementia patients, it’s wonderful to see their response to familiar music as the music therapist works with them. That’s what sets Trustbridge apart — inpatient or outpatient, we can supply our patients with these additional things.”

Under Brazzale’s leadership, there will also be increased participation with the Veterans Administration. “We currently partner with them, and we do hold a ceremony for our veterans, but veterans do have specific experiences and specific needs that we need to take into consideration,” she said.

Another push forward is Trustbridge’s partnership with the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, which works to provide philanthropic support to ensure the ongoing availability of safe, quality, cost-effective healthcare for children and their families, regardless of ability to pay.

“At Trustbridge, we do applicative care consults in hospitals and hospice for young patients who have six months or more left — as well as palliative care — but our focus is still on getting children home,” Brazzale said. “We always hope that, even with symptoms, people can continue to live their lives.”

As she continues to have a soft spot in her heart for pediatrics, Brazzale hopes her new administrative role doesn’t keep her from one-on-one contact with patients.

“I’ve been with Trustbridge 14 years now,” she said. “I still visit facilities and assisted living centers, and I’m learning a bit more about the administrative work. I’m thrilled to be in this position — a little scared, too. I think healthcare is such a difficult thing, ever-changing. Yet I would rather be in the driving seat, navigating the change, rather than experiencing the change downstream… I hope I never get disconnected from those home visits and become purely administrative and lose sight of that. It’s going to be an adventure.”

To learn more about Trustbridge and its services, call (561) 848-5200 or visit www.trustbridge.com.

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Expanded Access To Diagnostics

Expanded Access To Diagnostics Tampa General Hospital Adds Second TGH Imaging Facility In Palm Beach County

As part of its commitment to connecting the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast communities to highly complex medical care, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has acquired Palm Beach Radiology in North Palm Beach, its second outpatient imaging facility in the area.

Remaining in the same location at 733 U.S. Highway 1, Building 2B, North Palm Beach, the full-service radiology center will now be known as TGH Imaging. The same physicians — Dr. Donald Goodwin, Dr. Walter Forman and Dr. Robert Stickle — will lead the practice. The same team of radiologists, technologists and support staff will continue to provide the exceptional customer service and experience that the community has come to expect. Patients now also enjoy access to a TGH Imaging PET/CT center in Palm Beach Gardens.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), TGH Imaging’s board-certified, subspecialized on-site radiologists work as a team with highly trained technologists to offer patients high-quality exam results, often available on the same day. TGH Imaging brings together essential assets to significantly increase access, maximize efficiency, and continue to provide high-quality images and excellent customer service to patients and physicians in Palm Beach County. It is also an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

“Adding a highly experienced and clinically excellent team such as Palm Beach Radiology will round out our services offerings to the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast communities,” said Sherri Lewman, senior vice president of enterprise imaging at TGH. “Patients in the area can now receive imaging exams within the Tampa General system, making for a more seamless experience.”

As a diagnostic resource for both patients and physicians, TGH Imaging offers a range of exams, including high-field, short-bore MRI (including breast MRI), multidetector CT, image-guided biopsies, 3D mammography, ultrasound, bone density scan and digital X-ray.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to be part of an academic medical center that expands care options to our community, while continuing the level of care and services that our patients and referring physicians have come to expect from us since we opened our doors in 2007,” said Goodwin, a radiologist and co-founder of Palm Beach Radiology. “We are eager to leverage the expertise and resources of Tampa General to provide another level of support for our patients.”

TGH Imaging will not only support patients and physicians in the South Florida area, but also work closely with the academic medical center’s TGH Cancer Institute, allowing for a more streamlined process from diagnosis to treatment.

The teams will take a multidisciplinary approach and strongly emphasize compassionate and personalized care that focuses on the whole patient. Should patients require treatment in Tampa, they can return home to the east coast for follow-up care with their healthcare provider.

This recent acquisition continues TGH’s east coast expansion. For the past two years, Tampa General has been creating a framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast areas with the expertise and innovation of a preeminent academic medical center.

The Florida East Coast initiative includes another TGH Imaging center in Palm Beach Gardens, and alliances with the Cancer Center of South Florida and Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches. It has established TGH General Surgeons of the Palm Beaches, with renowned West Palm Beach robotic surgeons Dr. Daniel R. Higgins and Dr. Itzhak Shasha. The TGH Cancer Institute also recently partnered with West Palm Beach-based physicians Dr. Robert Scoma, a thoracic surgical oncologist, and Dr. Jason Hechtman, a breast cancer surgeon.

“We are the State of Florida’s hospital. We want to support, complement and augment current care in the community, so patients can get what they need without leaving the state,” said John Couris, president and CEO of TGH. “As a research and academic hospital, we’re not just practicing medicine. We’re defining how it is practiced. TGH is building a patient-centered system to deliver world-class care.”

Tampa General Hospital is the third-highest-ranked hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report for 2022-23, the primary teaching affiliate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, and has been Florida’s leading academic medical center for more than 50 years. Patients who need a higher level of care have a direct connection to Tampa General’s academic medical center resources through its academic affiliation, including research breakthroughs, a wider variety of clinical trials and options for advanced immunotherapy procedures, enhanced personal treatment plans, and a convenient path to complex surgeries.

TGH has been affiliated with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine since the school was created in the early 1970s. TGH is the primary teaching affiliate of the medical school at the University of South Florida, and more than 300 medical school residents are assigned to Tampa General Hospital for specialty training in areas ranging from general internal medicine to neurosurgery. In addition, USF medical, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy students all receive part of their training at TGH. Faculty of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine admit and care for patients at Tampa General, as do private practice physicians, many of whom also serve as adjunct clinical faculty at USF.

To learn more about TGH Imaging, visit www.tghimaging.com.

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Show to Soirée

A lifestyle brand that captures the tradition of equestrian apparel while adding innovative elegance, Barn & Beyond provides apparel and accessories to all equestrian disciplines with style, elegance and a pop of personality.

At Barn & Beyond Equestrian Apparel, Nancy Grutschus has created a line of “athleisure wear” for the equestrian world after seeing a need in the market for comfortable, yet athletic clothing for riders.

These are your perfect, everyday pant — in and out of the saddle. Grutschus combined her passion for riding with her love of fashion to create this top new brand. Her experience as a fashion model gave her the knowledge to perfect design lines, which enhance everyone’s silhouette. Size inclusivity is important to Grutschus, as everyone should feel confident in their clothing. A tummy control panel smooths any imperfections. Go from a close-contact ride to the bistro, bunker and everywhere in between, while looking chic and stylish. Barn & Beyond has been referred to as the “Lululemon for riders.”

Offerings include the original legging made for flattering comfort with tummy control and CTP technology, which has a patent pending and offers super flattering design lines to hide imperfections, while being soft and flexible. Wear the Sydney for your victory gallop! These show tights with belt loops and faux pockets capture the elegance of tradition while adding elements of sophisticated style and unparalleled comfort. Focus on the ride with this second-skin-feeling pant.

With many styles and colors to choose from, you can leave your insecurities behind and feel comfy and confident all day, from barn to bistro. Barn & Beyond Equestrian Apparel allows for a close-contact ride without compromising style, fit or comfort.

Visit www.barnandbeyondapparel.com to learn more.

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Decades Of Experience

Decades Of Experience Realtor Steven Prince Brings His Unique Expertise To Clients Looking To Buy Or Sell A Home

By Mike May

If you are looking for a real estate agent with experience and unmatched know-how, Steven Prince of the Tolliver Prince Realty Group is a great choice to be your professional companion throughout the real estate transaction process.

Prince, a longtime resident of Wellington who grew up and attended middle school and high school in the community, understands Wellington’s real estate scene very well. He has 26 years of experience in the local real estate industry — six years as a real estate appraiser and 20 years as a real estate agent. Since 2012, he has been a managing partner with Tolliver Prince Realty, where his specialty is in mortgage lending.

The key to Prince’s success in the real estate industry is his intimate knowledge of all aspects of the buying and selling of property. His skill set is rather unique.

“I originally became licensed as a mortgage lender 26 years ago,” Prince said. “At that time, I was hired by World Savings, and they trained me to become a real estate appraiser. I worked for the bank for three years before leaving and becoming a full-time mortgage broker. In 2002, I realized that I worked hard at obtaining a mortgage license and an appraisal license, so I figured getting my real estate license would just add more credibility. So, that is exactly what I did.”

At Tolliver Prince Realty, Prince spearheads a team of 10 real estate professionals who guide clients through any given real estate buying or selling experience. According to Prince, many real estate deals fall through the cracks, so to speak, because of a lack of understanding of all the “ins and outs” of the real estate business.

Prince, who lives in Wellington’s Sugar Pond Manor neighborhood, describes himself as a real estate troubleshooter who understands the language of banks and underwriters. Not every real estate agent can confidently make such a claim. But Prince’s background as an appraiser, in banking and in development puts him in a unique position in the real estate profession.

To truly understand and appreciate Tolliver Prince Realty’s commitment to excellent customer service, look no further than the organization’s logo.

“Our logo, which features a lion, is actually a door knocker and used by many as ‘guardian of the home,’” Prince explained. “The lion represents strength, pride and protection. It is also majestic, fierce and, of course, known as the ‘King of the Jungle.’ We wanted our clients to know that Tolliver Prince Realty will serve as a ‘guardian of their home’ throughout the real estate sale process.”

While the logo gives you an idea of the group’s commitment to high-quality customer service, it’s more important to emphasize the ability of Prince and his team to navigate pitfalls during the process of buying and selling a home.

“Hands down, our experience and backgrounds in this business are second to none,” he said. “There are very few, if any, real estate firms or individual agents who have a real estate appraisal, mortgage and development background. There are some fantastic Realtors out there, but there are so many moving parts inside a real estate transaction that stretch far beyond the Realtor’s duties, such as appraisal, title, financing, survey and inspection. Many transactions fall apart because of a lack of experience.”

At Tolliver Prince, clients are treated like they are going to board an airplane where the goal is to arrive safely at their final destination.

“We use a ‘boarding pass’ as a means of educating our buyers and sellers,” Prince explained. “Our goal is to get our clients from Point A to Point B, safely. During the flight, we may hit turbulence, but a skilled pilot knows how to navigate through the turbulence. This is exactly why technology will never take away the Realtor. Technology cannot solve the emotions of a buyer and seller when things start to go south.”

Regardless of where you live in Wellington or beyond, and what kind of real estate price point you are considering, Tolliver Prince is well-positioned to lend a helping hand. “We are well-versed in equestrian, waterfront and golf communities in Wellington,” Prince said. “The bulk of our sales are $500,000 and north, but we still work with clients with lower price points.”

One of Prince’s past clients, who had a great real estate experience with him, is Todd Fronrath, a partner with the West Palm Beach law firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath.

“Steve did a great job listing and helping to sell my home in Wellington,” Fronrath said. “The deal was going along smoothly until about two days before closing. There was an issue with the buyer and the appraisal. Steve went above and beyond to meet with the other agent, the buyer and the lender to work out the details. He did an outstanding job, and I sold the home. Since then, he has helped other members of my family with their real estate needs.”

To reach Steven Prince of the Tolliver Prince Realty Group, call (561) 719-7474 or (800) 596-1035, e-mail steve@tolliverprince.com or visit on the web at www.tolliverprince.com.

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