Florida's prescription for medical tourism
Globally, medical tourism has a $60-billion-a-year economic impact and Florida medical centers and hospitality businesses are looking to cash in on the trend. “Medical tourism is on our radar. ... In these days of declining Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, many hospitals are looking for ways to enhance revenues,” said Kevin Newingham, vice president of strategic services at Lee Memorial Health System. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
» Medical Tourism is Thriving
Florida independent jewelers see rise in sales
Florida jewelers say they have fared better than some other areas of the country due to the quickly recovering high end clientele that most local jewelers cater to, said Robert Bates, senior editor of JCK Magazine, a New York-based jewelry publication. "The wealthy are doing much better than the rest of us," Bates said. "They got their spending confidence back first." [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
"Significant" UM medical school cutbacks coming in May
University of Miami President Donna Shalala announced Tuesday that the medical school will take “difficult and painful but necessary steps” next month to reduce costs, including staff cuts. In a letter to employees, she called the cuts “significant” but provided no details about how many employees might be laid off. [Source: Miami Herald]
Northwest Florida Economic Indicators
Tourism and the military prove to be stabilizing factors in the Panhandle. Bay County area leaders continue to seek development opportunities around the new airport.
 The Navy Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the U.S., added almost 500 workers last year in Pensacola and expects to hire an additional 450 this year. [Photo: Navy Federal Credit Union] |
Struggle over how to evaluate special ed teachers
Since the first day of class this school year, Bev Campbell has been teaching her students how to say their names.
Those little steps are what teachers like Campbell consider major leaps for students with the most significant physical and cognitive disabilities — and what are the most challenging to capture on a test. Yet that will be a significant part of the way school districts in Florida and in many other states will evaluate teachers.
[Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami home prices on the rise
In Miami, housing prices may finally have hit a bottom.
The Case Shiller report released Tuesday showed an increase in annualized housing prices in five U.S. cities in February, including Miami. The others were Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis and Phoenix. The Case Shiller is considered a key index.
› Outspoken lawyer's life mission to empower female executives
You can recognize Cynthia Gracey by her vivid blue eyes, enviable mane of highlighted hair and, tucked under her right arm, her crutch with the zebra-print cover.
"I do 'cripple' in style," says the outspoken 58-year-old lawyer.
Gracey suffers from a degenerative, neuromuscular disorder that affects her arms and legs, but she's never suffered the tyranny of the status quo.
› Is history being looted in Fort Lauderdale?
A year after archaeologists uncovered what is now recognized as one Broward County's most significant historical sites, city officials are scrambling to find a way to protect it.
But it may be too late to preserve everything at South Beach Park, where 19th century musket balls, gun flints and uniform buttons may already have been dug up.
› Jacksonville office vacancy dips slightly again
Office vacancy dropped very slightly in the Jacksonville area during the first quarter, according to a new report from industry analysts Cushman and Wakefield. The overall vacancy rate was 21 percent, down just one-tenth of a point from the end of the fourth quarter. But it’s the seventh straight quarterly drop.
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› SeaWorld's Antarctica 'realm' to include ride, penguin habitat, restaurant, shop
A new Antarctica-themed "realm" opening next year at SeaWorld Orlando will include a state-of-the-art ride, an up-close penguin habitat, a restaurant and a retail location, the company said Tuesday.
The area will be the largest expansion ever built at any SeaWorld or Busch Gardens theme park, company executives told attendees at a major travel-industry trade show being held this week in Los Angeles.
› Washington Nationals want out of Viera
Washington has expressed desire to leave its spring training home in Viera with Fort Myers tabbed as a favorite. But what other choices does the franchise have?
› Supreme snafu almost snares top justices
It was six minutes after 10 a.m. on Friday morning and, Dan Stengle recalls, "my life passed before my eyes."
The legal counsel for the merit retention campaigns of state Supreme Court Justices Barbara Pariente, Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince had just been told by the justices' campaign treasurer that the three justices hadn't completed all the paperwork needed to run in their merit retention election on the November ballot. And the deadline to file was noon.
» Editor's Column:
Voting for Judges
› Owners of West Inn Cantina selling longtime Avondale landmark
The big sign on the window sums it up pretty well: "40 years is enough, for sale by owner."
The Spofford family has had enough and wants out of the West Inn Cantina, the Avondale landmark that many people still call Monty's.