SUSAN RUSSELL SCULPTS YOUNG MINDS FOR THREE DECADES
Susan Russell has been caring for Wellington’s youngest residents. The passage of time has done nothing to dim her resolve to provide a nurturing and inspiring environment. Her two preschool/daycare facilities in Wellington paved the way for the many that have followed. That is why she is our eighth nominee for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

MY FIRST WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL
This year, rider Leah DeMartini was able to remain in Wellington for the duration of the Winter Equestrian Festival. It was an experience that paid off in many ways, inside and outside the show ring.

WELLINGTON STUDENTS THINK PINK
When a handful of Wellington students wanted to do something to fight breast cancer, they could have staged a single fundraiser, or perhaps join an event sponsored by another organization. Instead, they decided to start their own club. That group — thinkPINKkids Wellington — has since expanded to several area schools from its inception at Wellington High School.

ELBRIDGE GALE KIDS TAKE TO THE STAGE
After-school programs have come a long way since the days of homework help and craft projects. Students at Elbridge Gale Elementary School recently put on a fully staged production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. It was part of a program that has become a major draw for the school, located on Royal Fern Drive in Wellington.

S.F. SCIENCE MUSEUM GOES PRESCHOOL
A new set of classes for children at the South Florida Science Museum is proving Wellington resident Theresa Kewley’s axiom that no one is too young to learn science. The classes, organized and taught by Kewley, make up the first early-learning program at the South Florida Science Museum, designed for ages 18 months to 4 years.

WELLINGTON STAR: YOUTUBE SENSATION RICKY FICARELLI
For Ricky Ficarelli, it all started in May 2010 when he began drumming to popular songs and posting his videos on YouTube. This earned him a spot in YouTube’s first DigiTour, a 27-city series of shows this spring that started in Los Angeles and wrapped up in Fort Lauderdale. This month’s Wellington Star, Ficarelli is now back in L.A., trying to figure out what’s next in his exciting adventure.

GERMANY’S LOSS IS WELLINGTON’S GAIN
Since 1993, German immigrant Frank Suess has been furnishing patients and businesses throughout the United States with medical supplies to treat, monitor and manage diabetes through his three Wellington-based companies. For this, and his dedication to the community, Suess is Wellington The Magazine’s seventh Entrepreneur of the Year Award nominee.

CARE WITH COMPASSION FROM HOSPICE
Each day, Dr. Faustino Gonzalez and the team of physicians at Hospice of Palm Beach County provide the care and peace of mind that patients need as they face their end of life.

ROBOTIC SURGERY ARRIVES AT PALMS WEST HOSPITAL
The recent introduction of robotic technology at Palms West Hospital can reduce hospital stays from three days to an overnight observation for patients who undergo routine surgeries. Procedures using the da Vinci system of robotic surgery are being performed by Dr. David Adler, Dr. Sam Falzone, Dr. Seth Herbst and Dr. Moises Virelles.

DCA OFFERS THE TOP IMAGING TECHNOLOGY
For world-class care when it’s needed most, Diagnostic Centers of America offers the best in advanced technology, comfort and care. With three locations, including one in Wellington, DCA aims to “raise the bar” for all imaging centers, said CEO Steve Shullman.