This November’s issue hits close to home for me, as its Economic Backbone feature focuses on nursing programs throughout Florida. My daughter Abbigail — who graduated with her first bachelor’s degree in public health from Florida Gulf Coast University and then went on to earn her second bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of South Florida through its accelerated nursing program — started her career as a neonatal nurse at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and is now working as a nurse in a private practice pediatric clinic. I understand all too well the dedication and devotion that our health care workers put into not only their education and ongoing training — but also the understanding and empathy that they have for the patients they care for. It takes a special person to dedicate their professional life to serving those in need. My appreciation and admiration run very deep for those in our health care community.
The Economic Backbone section covers a broad array of topics encompassing the nursing industry. They include nursing shortages and efforts by the state to alleviate the shortfall, the continued investment in and incorporation of technology within the field, creative and unique mobile learning and training centers, the continued growth and investment in new nursing educational centers on campuses, faith-infused nursing programs, collaborative efforts and partnerships between hospitals and educators, and large investments in nursing programs by some of our more rural state colleges. These and other stories will keep you engaged, informed and wanting to learn more.
This month’s issue also includes our annual Women in Leadership feature, a section we produce each November highlighting impactful women across our state who are helping to move Florida forward. The cover story examines the triumphs and tragedies that Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has faced both professionally and personally. Her strength, passion and resiliency are lessons all of us can learn from. Associate Editor Michael Fechter sat down with Sen. Passidomo and in this moving profile examines how she’s taken on massive policy issues, bridged political divides and now is coping with the sudden death of her husband. You will not want to miss reading Michael’s story, “Triumph and Tragedy,” beginning on page 94.
Other impressive women leaders highlighted within our Women in Leadership section include Suneera Madhani of Orlando, founder of Stax, a payment processing service for small businesses, which she has since sold. The company was valued at more than $1 billion. Learn more about her next endeavors on page 104. Tianne Doyle, president of Bealls, shares on page 106 how she worked her way through the ranks of the organization and what’s next in store for the retailer with $1.93 billion in annual revenues, 650 stores and over 15,650 employees. Charu Raheja is the CEO and co-founder of TriageLogic, which develops advanced telehealth technology and services for the health care industry and was recently ranked on Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies. Read more about Charu’s journey starting on page 108.
This month’s issue is filled from stem to stern with engaging, informative, educational and directional stories, articles, resources. I know that you will get as much value out of it as I have.
— David G. Denor, Publisher ddenor@floridatrend.com