FRC Lunch & Learn: Local Panel on Healthcare
February 16, 12:00-1:00pm, Virtual
Future Ready Collier is committed to shared learning opportunities. The ongoing FRC Lunch & Learn series brings relevant, useful, free, and virtually accessible information to all our partners- and beyond!
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It takes parents, educators, and healthcare providers working together to create a healthy and positive childhood.
As presented in FRC’s Update to the Community 2020-21, only 50% of Collier County children were assessed to be “ready for kindergarten” in 2020. Naturally, the pandemic has exacerbated issues in physical and mental health, and impeded developmental milestones normally accessible to young children. Despite the setbacks, Future Ready Collier continues to address the barriers that prevent children from achieving their best, in particular through our Early Development Goal Group work, and broadening interest and engagement with health care providers in Southwest Florida.
“People like to say that children’s health is our nation’s wealth, but until we really start to act on these ideas…we will not get to being a healthier population and a more prosperous society.”
(InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health)
It is with this focus that FRC presents the February 2022 Lunch & Learn: Local Panel on Healthcare with experts on childhood care, development, and wellness. Join these leaders in a lively discussion on how to assure all of our community has a healthier and more prosperous future.
Discussion moderators include Co-Chairs of FRC’s Early Development Goal Group:
Beth Housewert of the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
Dr. Dee Phillipi of the Literacy Volunteers of Collier County
Michelle Starr of the Collier County Public Schools
Meet the panelists:
Kimberly Kossler, MPH, RN, CPH
Kim Kossler was appointed Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Collier County in December 2020. Ms. Kossler began her career in public health working for the Women Infants and Children Program at Greene County Health Department in North Carolina. Since then, her leadership in public health has been clearly demonstrated. Since starting with the Florida Department of Health in 2005, she has held several varied public health positions in epidemiology, emergency planning and response, quality improvement, and most recent oversight and management of disease control programs.
Dr. Todd Vedder
Dr. Vedder is a partner at Lighthouse Pediatrics, practicing for nearly two decades. Established in Naples, yet he spent the last few years in North Carolina. He is thrilled to be back in SWFL. Dr. Vedder has helped launch several community health and wellbeing programs for children including the 95210 Kids on the Go fitness challenge; life jacket loaner stations at public beaches; and increased access to lactation services. Dr. Vedder is actively engaged in improving early literacy rates through programs such as Reach Out and Read. Dr. Vedder recently acquired a wealth of experience in telemedicine with school and home based virtual visits. Dr. Vedder is a returning member of our FRC Network.
Courtney Whitt, Ph.D.
Dr. Whitt was appointed the Director of Behavioral Health at Healthcare Network in 2018. She specializes in integrated primary care psychology for underserved populations, as well as associated research, and policy around integrated healthcare. Dr. Whitt is a licensed psychologist in Florida and has a variety and wealth of experience in integrated medical care for outpatient and inpatient settings, located in urban and rural environments. Dr. Whitt is an active leader in the Southwest Florida healthcare community and has participated as a presenter and proposal reviewer for the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association. An active member of Future Ready Collier for years, her leadership and advocacy have been inspirational and essential to the network.