WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE – July 2023

NPC Event Raises Money

Harvey Montijo, MD Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery;

Robert Lins, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery; Hand Surgery

Gavin P. Hart, MD

Lima,

Garvin K. Yee, MD

Robert Rochman,

Mark A. Waeltz, MD Orthopedic Spine Surgery

David R. Simpson, MD Orthopedic Sports Medicine; General Orthopedics

Veronica Pedro, MD Hand Surgery

Anand P. Panchal, DO Orthopedic Sports Medicine; Shoulder & Elbow Surgery

José R. Ortega, MD

Sports Medicine

Harvey E. Montijo, MD Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery; Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dana Desser,

Here, Children Matter Most

Hope and compassionate care fill every room and hallway at Nicklaus Children’s. With the brightest medical minds dedicated to children’s wellbeing, we proudly maintain our position as the top-ranked children’s hospital in South Florida according to U.S.News & World Report’s 2023-24 Pediatric Rankings. Leading with compassion and extraordinary care, we demonstrate every day why this is where your child matters most. nicklauschildrens.org

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is the top-ranked children’s hospital in South Florida.

Joshua I. Manning publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior graphic designer

Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designers

Nancy Pobiak

Yolanda Cernicky

account managers

Betty Buglio

Evie Edwards

Joetta Palumbo

bookkeeping

Jill Kaskel

Carol Lieberman

photography

Abner Pedraza contributors

Dr. Stephanie A. Acosta

Jim Barnes

Meredith Burow

Erin Davisson

Denise Fleischman

Sydney Jones

Frank Koester

Melanie Kopacz

Mike May

Callie Sharkey

Deborah Welky

17

NEW TREATMENT FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Dr. Deborah Loney at Wellington Regional Medical Center is now offering Inspire therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

TAMPA GENERAL BRIDGES THE GAP IN COMPLEX CARE

When Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast residents need specialized cancer treatments, they now enjoy a seamless connection to the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute.

NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: SPECIALISTS IN DETECTING AND TREATING CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

If your child has a congenital heart defect, then early detection, even before birth, is one of the most important steps that parents can take to improve outcomes and plan for their child’s future. Though rare, these defects are a reality for many parents.

BY DR. STEPHANIE A. ACOSTA

SPECIAL NIGHT SUPPORTS A CURE FOR PARALYSIS

The National Polo Center recently played host to a memorable event — the Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala to benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

BY SYDNEY JONES

Departments

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33

Wellington, FL 33414

Phone: (561) 793-7606

Fax: (561) 793-1470

www.wellingtonthemagazine.com

published by Wellington The Magazine, LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning

from the publisher

In our annual health issue this month, we focus on some of the state-of-the-art medical services available to residents of the Wellington area. Dr. Deborah Loney at Wellington Regional Medical Center is now offering Inspire therapy, a breakthrough treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. When Palm Beach County residents need specialized cancer treatments, they now enjoy a seamless connection to the world-renowned Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute — a service that was critical in saving the life of Arthur “Steve” Barnes last year. Meanwhile, you can learn from expert Dr. Stephanie A. Acosta how the specialists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital are among the best in the world at detecting and treating congenital heart disease, with early detection being the key.

Also this issue, the Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala held recently at the National Polo Center was not only a fun evening, but it raised money for a great cause — the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. This month’s Wellington Today feature focuses in on some important awards and recognitions recently won by the Village of Wellington, while Wellington Table visits the new Wellington storefront location of Ideal Nutrition, a unique concept that joins healthy eating with budget-friendly convenience.

All of us here at Wellington The Magazine hope you are having a fabulous summer. We’ll be back next month with our annual back-to-school issue.

Dawn Rivera

WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE

BY JIM BARNES

WELLINGTON TABLE

Convenience merges with healthy eating at budget-friendly Ideal Nutrition, which recently opened a storefront in Wellington serving perfectly portioned, delicious meals.

BY CALLIE SHARKEY

Aiden Turner, Marc Buoniconti and Collin Egglesfield at the Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala.

FLEISCHMAN

WELLINGTON ROTARY HOLDS AWARDS BANQUET AND INSTALLATION

The Wellington Rotary Club held its annual Awards Banquet and Installation Ceremony on Saturday, June 17 at the Wanderers Club with the theme “Create Hope in the World.” Outgoing President Tiffany Rodriguez presented a number of awards before turning over the gavel to incoming President Scott Armand.

BEST-IN-CLASS PHYSICIANS. BEST IN FLORIDA CARE.

TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL’S DIGESTIVE HEALTH CENTER DELIVERS EXPERT CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH ALL STAGES OF LIVER DISEASE IN A CONVENIENT, LOCAL SETTING.

Physicians at TGH Digestive Health Center, formerly TGH Gastro Group of the Palm Beaches, deliver Florida’s highest-ranked GI care to patients in Palm Beach County. And now, we’re pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Sonja K. Olsen, a board-certified transplant hepatologist and gastroenterologist, to our team. As a highly trained liver specialist, she focuses on the diagnosis and management of conditions such as advanced cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, and hepatitis B and C.

For a consultation, please call (561) 739-4TGH (4844). Our goal is to see patients within 72 hours.

Dr. Sonja K. Olsen Board-Certified Transplant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist

Florida’s Leading Academic Medical Center For Over 50 Years

Jeffrey H. Garelick, MD

Robert S. Raymond, MD Asher Borradaile, APRN

Rodolfo Valdes Landaburo, APRN

Olga Fernandez, APRN

Glenn H. Englander, MD

Steven Krumholz, MD

M. Cristina Hatara, MD

wellington | social scene PHOTOS BY

FRANK KOESTER

WELLINGTON CHAMBER PRESENTS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLAVORS

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce hosted Flavors 2023 on Thursday, June 1. The evening kicked off and ended at the National Polo Center-Wellington. Attendees traveled by bus to other locations and enjoyed the chance to sample some of the tasty and diverse food and drink from different area restaurants. This year marked the 20th edition of Flavors, and 20 restaurants were on hand along the bus route, each providing something sweet and savory, plus a beverage. Some locations also had live music.

(Left to right) Jorge Maceo, Alia Rice and Cory Wallace at the National Polo Center; David and Kelly Hutcheson are dressed to party; Sharon Watson, Kathleen Williams and Erin Williams enjoy the food at Maxwell’s Plum; Stephanie Morel and Andy Petit at Maxwell’s Plum; and Terri and Peter Bartuska try their hand at Seven Axes.

(Left to right) Christine DiLello, Iny Novack and Alice Rosenblatt at Molé Mexican Cantina; Remedy entertains the crowd at Village Music Café; Jean-Marc Hardy offers some classic French delights at Village Music Café; and Flavors 2023 attendees celebrate the end of a fun evening.

Paloma Reiter DO,

L. Zaulyanov Scanlan MD, FAAD

Irina Milman DO, FAAD

WELLINGTON OBSERVES MEMORIAL DAY WITH PARADE & CEREMONY

Wellington’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony was held Monday, May 29. The parade began at Village Hall with the procession ending at the Wellington Veterans Memorial. Veterans were invited to walk in the parade, and spectators lined the street. Several hundred people were in attendance for the ceremony, which featured speakers from the village and American Legion Post 390. The ceremony concluded with a gun salute and the playing of “Taps” by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sat 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sun 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Thurs Open at 7:30 AM

(Left to right) Members of American Legion Post 390 get ready to march; local veterans gather for a group photo after the ceremony; the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Honor Guard marches in the parade; and Anna and Robert Marold during the ceremony.

(Left to right) Victor Quartieri holds a flag during the ceremony; Heather Durand sings the national anthem; Al Ziker of American Legion Post 390 at the podium; Mayor Anne Gerwig lays the U.S. Army wreath with James Sparrow Jr. and James Napuli; Al Ziker and William Bartels lay one of the wreaths; and members of BSA Troop 125 took part in the parade and ceremony.

Dr. Randall Dugal DVM

EY E CAR E f o r t h e En ti r e F amil y

• MACULAR DEGENERATION

• DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

• CLINICAL TRIALS

• CATARACTS

• GLAUCOMA

• DRY EYE

• ADULT & PEDIATRIC

OPHTHALMOLOGY

• STRABISMUS

BOYNTON BEACH

1717 W. WOOLBRIGHT ROAD

BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33436

WEST BOYNTON BEACH

9868 S. STATE ROAD 7, STE 240

BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33472

L ee Friedman, M.D.

Randy Katz, M.D.

Barr y Schechter, M.D., M.P.H.

Jonathan Criss, M.D.

Megan Rowlands, M.D., M.P.H.

Steven Naids, M.D.

James Walsh, O.D.

BOCA RATON

9980 CENTRAL PARK BLVD, STE 204

BOCA RATON, FL 33428

WELLINGTON

2575 S. STATE ROAD 7

WELLINGTON, FL 33414

NEW TREATMENT FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

Wellington Regional Medical Center Is Now Offering Inspire Therapy To Treat OSA

Dr. Deborah Loney at Wellington Regional Medical Center is now offering Inspire therapy, a breakthrough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment option for those who cannot use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects 22 million Americans. When left untreated, OSA can cause vehicle and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, stroke, heart attack and even

death. It occurs when the airway collapses during sleep and blocks the flow of oxygen to the brain.

When this happens, the brain senses a lack of oxygen and wakes the body up just long enough to take a breath, then falls back asleep. This cycle repeats throughout the night and causes poor, disruptive sleep.

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation

opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn Inspire on before bed and off when they wake up.

The safety and efficacy of Inspire was evaluated during the product’s STAR clinical trial. Five-year outcomes show patients using Inspire experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and significant improvements in quality-of-life measures.

There have been more than 150 peerreviewed publications on Inspire. These publications show results consistent with those seen in the STAR clinical trial.

“In our practice, we see many patients who have stopped using or are unable to tolerate CPAP,” Loney said. “Inspire represents a significant advancement in treating sleep apnea. It is clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events, has a high level of patient satisfaction and a high therapy adherence. We are excited to offer this promising therapy to sleep

apnea patients who struggle with CPAP.”

To learn more about Inspire for sleep apnea, visit www.inspiresleep.com or www.wellingtonregional.com.

Loney practices otolaryngology, which is more commonly known as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. In her practice, she works with many patients suffering from sleep apnea.

Originally from New York, Loney completed her undergraduate work at Queens College. For medical school, she attended Stanford University’s School

of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. There, she spent five years studying and doing medical research, and realized that she wanted to be an ENT. After graduating from Stanford, Loney headed to the University of Iowa in Iowa City for her residency. She worked at many locations around the United States and the world before moving to Palm Beach County to be closer to her family.

Both for sleep apnea patients, and for those with other ENT issues, Loney spends a great deal of time encouraging her patients to lead healthier lifestyles. “Watch what you eat, moderation is key. No. 1 is don’t smoke,” Loney said. “I also tell people, especially younger people, to not listen to loud music.”

Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 235-bed acute care hospital accredited by the Joint Commission. Celebrating more than 30 years of treating residents in Wellington and the surrounding communities, the hospital offers a wide range of services, including comprehensive stroke care, a comprehensive lung program, minimally invasive services, cardiac services, a birthing center and level III NICU, a comprehensive women’s center, hepatobiliary surgical procedures, intraoperative radiation therapy, interventional procedures, and a wellness and weight loss center.

Wellington Regional Medical Center is located at 10101 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.wellingtonregional.com.

Inspire works inside the body with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation opens the airway during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally.

Julie Thornburg, APRN | Vincent Apicella, DO, President & Founder | Sonya Jackson, APRN | Teresita Brunner, APRN

Premier Family Health is expanding our provider network and is excited to welcome Julie Thornburg, APRN; Sonya Jackson Simmons, APRN; and Teresita Brunner, APRN to the team.

A SEAMLESS CONNECTION

Tampa General Hospital Bridges The Gap In Complex Cancer Care

When Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast residents need specialized cancer treatments, they now enjoy a seamless connection to the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute.

Palm Beach Gardens resident Arthur “Steve” Barnes has been battling various types of skin cancer since 1981. His 42year journey has taken him to dermatologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists, and last year, it took him to Tampa General Hospital (TGH).

“Most of my cancer has been pretty easy to treat — basal cell carcinoma and even squamous cell. But about three or four years ago, it started to get aggressive. It got complex,” Barnes explained. “I’ve been so blessed to have doctors who cooperate with or work at TGH.”

Barnes’ local dermatologist and surgeon referred him to Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, a Palm Beach County medical oncologist who serves as chief of the TGH Cancer Institute, executive vice president of Network Development, and vice president of Clinical and Translational Research.

“There are a lot of things about TGH that are unique and important, as well as hard to appreciate until you need a

certain level of care,” Schwarzberg said. “There are wonderful physicians and pieces of the cancer treatment puzzle in Palm Beach County, but the lack of a unified, academic backbone limits access to translational research, clinical work and new drug development. Our relationship with TGH and the Univer-

sity of South Florida has been invaluable for our patients.”

Schwarzberg referred Barnes to Dr. Tapan Padhya, chief of the TGH Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, and professor and chair for the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Steve Barnes and Dr. Tapan Padhya greet a guest at Tampa General Hospital’s recent community event in Jupiter.

Padhya performed a surgical intervention on Barnes in Tampa within one month of first seeing him.

“Dr. Padhya saved all the nerves in my face and removed all the cancer because he and Dr. Schwarzberg were so on top of everything,” Barnes said. “I was worried I was going to come out looking like Frankenstein, so it’s really amazing I look as much like Brad Pitt as I do now.”

East coast patients who need a transfer to TGH enjoy a seamless transition to Tampa through the hospital’s Health Ambassador Program, which helps schedule appointments, submit paperwork, arrange hotel and travel accommodations, and coordinate follow-up care back home.

“This is the experience that we offer our patients on the east coast of Florida,” Padhya explained. “The home team of doctors in Palm Beach County establishes the initial trust with the patient and provides the ongoing care, and then I come in for the surgical event. But it’s a continuum of care. The TGH network has flourished and bridged the gap across the state.”

Barnes credits his successful outcome to the entire medical team, but also his family. His wife, daughter and son participated in his telehealth visits and encouraged him throughout the process.

“My family and prayer warriors pushed me to keep going when it got discouraging. My wife hugged me when I needed it during the battles with chemo and radiation. They prayed for me and for the doctors to do a good job,” Barnes said. “And I can’t say enough about how wonderful the medical staff was. They treated me like I was their grandfather or father. There’s something that Theodore Roosevelt once said that could be

a theme for this hospital: ‘No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.’ TGH really cared about my case.”

Patients like Barnes now have access to the complex care they need in the environment where they need it.

“The continuity and integration are

so valuable because we don’t have that in our backyard,” Schwarzberg added. “But now we have it as an extension, and patients can come back home to heal.”

For more information about Tampa General Hospital’s services in Palm Beach County, visit www.tgh.org/thepalmbeaches or call (561) 739-4TGH.

Dr. Tapan Padhya works on the latest high-tech equipment at Tampa General Hospital.

Florida Spine Associates (FSA) brings over 50 years of combined experience to our practice — and to your care. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons and Interventional Pain Management physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists and staff of medical professionals have a true passion for improving the lives of people with spinal and other pain conditions.

Our services include conservative non-surgical interventions, officebased interventions, minimallyinvasive spinal surgery, complex revision surgery, and spinal deformity and scoliosis surgery. Our physicians are well versed in the latest and most advanced techniques and are prepared to offer a tailored care plan to help you “take back your life.”

Milad Alam, MD Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Seth MacMahon, MD & Interventional Pain Management

Michael Auerbach, DO & Interventional Pain Management

Ariel M. Morales, MD & Interventional Pain Management

Brian Burrough, MD & Interventional Pain Management

Robert P. Norton, MD Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Arthur Germain, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon Javier Sanchez, MD & Interventional Pain Management

Jonathan Kamerlink, MD & Interventional Pain Management

EARLY DETECTION CRUCIAL

The Experts At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Are Specialists In Detecting And Treating Congenital Heart Disease

BY DR. STEPHANIE A. ACOSTA

If your child has a congenital heart defect, then early detection, even before birth, is one of the most important steps that parents can take to improve outcomes and plan for their child’s future. Though rare, these defects are a reality for many parents. Congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth defect and present in about one out of every 100 births annually in the U.S. An estimated one million children and 1.4 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with congenital heart disease.

The Importance Of Early Detection

As early as four months after conception, fetal imaging can detect most heart problems in a fetus, including congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, cardiac tumors and other heart abnormalities. A fetal echocardiogram is a safe, noninvasive exam that uses ultrasound waves to create images. The technology allows the unborn baby’s heart to be examined while the child is

still in the womb. The echocardiogram is administered by sonographers with advanced training, and it does not pose any risk to either the fetus or the expectant mother.

By utilizing echocardiograms, specialists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital can detect and begin the treatment for fetal arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms); complex congenital heart diseases that require intervention after birth; and sim-

ple congenital heart defects/abnormalities.

A Precautionary Measure

If your obstetrician recommends that you have a fetal echocardiogram, don’t panic. Fetal echocardiograms are most often ordered as a precautionary measure for expectant mothers who have a personal or paternal history of

Dr. Stephanie A. Acosta

WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAYS 6:30 PM

Trivia Night with Freshly Baked Pizza!

1ST THURSDAY 7 PM

Open Mic

2ND THURSDAY 7 PM

Jazz Night

3RD THURSDAY 7 PM

Cugini Wine Pairing Dinner

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 8 PM

LIVE MUSIC with some of the best performers from Florida and across the country, here on the Village Music Stage!

• Full Service Music Store

• Music School with Experienced, Degreed Teaching Staff

• Live Music Cafe with Artisan Menu and Extensive Wine & Beer Selections

10410 Forrest Hill Blvd, Wellington | 561.798.5334

Monday – Friday: 12pm - 7pm | Saturday: 12pm - 6pm | Sunday Closed

congenital heart disease, had another child with a congenital heart disorder, have been exposed to certain infections or medications, or have a medical condition, such as diabetes or lupus, that may increase the chances that the unborn baby will have a heart defect or abnormality.

If you are pregnant with more than one baby, your obstetrician may also order a fetal echocardiogram. If an abnormality is detected, you will be referred to a fetal cardiologist, a physician with expertise in diagnosing and managing heart conditions before birth.

Advance knowledge of a heart defect will allow your care team to provide comprehensive education and counseling to families; treat the condition before birth, when possible; create a comprehensive management plan for both before and after your baby’s birth; and evaluate the effect of extra-cardiac malformations on the heart and determine whether further treatment is necessary.

Knowledge that a baby-to-be has a heart defect is alarming news for any family. Yet sophisticated care methods available today are enabling the vast majority of these children to survive and thrive. The right care team will offer the best and most innovative treatments, world-class facilities, and spend time guiding you and your family through every step of the care process.

The Fetal Cardiology Program

As part of its commitment to be where the children are, the Nicklaus Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program has seven convenient locations throughout the region, ranging as far south as Miami and as far north as Palm City. The program provides comprehensive care to families expecting an infant with suspected or diagnosed congenital heart disease. The team at Nicklaus Children’s

includes pediatric cardiologists who specialize in fetal cardiology, advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology, as well as cardiac intensivists, neonatologists, geneticists and cardiothoracic surgeons who work collectively to meet the needs of families throughout their care journey.

The Fetal Cardiology Program is part of the Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and it offers some of the most innovative treatments for congenital heart disease in the world. In fact, some of the treatments employed by the internationally renowned cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Nicklaus Children’s were pioneered at the hospital before becoming the standard of care at other hospitals. The goal is to improve the care of infants with congenital heart disease through perinatal diagnosis, prenatal planning, post-natal care, and follow-up after birth and throughout the child’s life.

Welcome To Wellington

To better serve all communities throughout the South Florida area, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital recently opened its newest location in Wellington. The new Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists at Wellington location has board-certified specialists that provide consultations for babies, children, teens and young adults under 21 years old.

The program offers fetal and pediatric cardiology appointments, echocardiograms, Holter/event monitor testing, cardiac genetic testing and free EKG screenings for young athletes, among other services.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available at the Wellington location. To make an appointment, or to learn more, call (561) 877-5870 or visit www. nicklauschildrens.org/wellington.

Dr. Stephanie A. Acosta is a fetal and pediatric cardiologist with the Heart Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Welcome to Your Lakefront Oasis! Spacious 3 bed, 2.5 bath, + loft, townhome with 2-car garage and a tranquil long lake view. This premium lot features a covered paver patio, fenced-in back and side yard, plus an added bonus greenspace/easement on the side of the property. Perfect for a seasonal home,

3/3.5/2 Car Garage - Only ½ mile to Roger Dean Stadium! All 3 bedrooms have private full bathrooms, plus there’s a powder room on the 2nd floor. Plenty of parking with a 2-car garage, plus street & driveway parking. Features include; a covered balcony, primary bedroom includes a sitting area & an adjacent office/loft space, hardwood floors in living and dining areas. Formal dining room can be used as an office space or den/4th bedroom. Pet friendly. 1 block from Independence Middle School which is a hurricane shelter. Offered at $3,300.00/Month

Annual Rental

Off-season Furnished Rental: 3 months: Aug. 1-Oct 31. Beautifully decorated fully furnished lakefront home with manicured fully fenced yard. Gated community with pool, tennis, gym, jog trail, clubhouse. Single story home with 3-way split bedrooms. (one room could be nanny suite) previously community model home, 42inch maple cabinets, Corian, tile in main living areas, accordion shutters, and extend covered patio with brick pavers. King in master, queen in br#2, twins in br#3 & full in br#4. Close to mall at wellington, show grounds, & polo. Offered at $3,000/Month Off-Season Rental

ISLES AT WELLINGTON:

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can lease twice a year. Pet friendly community has gated entry, gym, pool, tot lot, & open green spaces. Offered at $590,000

ANDALUCIA:

EQUESTRIAN LEGENDS CELEBRITY POLO

Hundreds Enjoy A Special Night To Support A Cure For Paralysis

BY SYDNEY JONES

The National Polo Center-Wellington played host to a memorable event — the Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala — on Saturday, April 29. Presented by Valentino to benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the special evening featured a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, as guests witnessed an equestrian demonstration from Olympians and world champions in the disciplines of show jumping, dres-

sage and polo. The equestrian demonstration was followed by an elegant sitdown dinner.

In 1985, world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Barth A. Green and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti joined forces and founded the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis after Buoniconti’s son, Marc, sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game. Since then, research at the Miami Proj-

ect has changed the landscape of knowledge and therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Committed to finding a cure for paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury and to seeing millions worldwide walk again, the Buoniconti family established the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis in 1992. The Buoniconti Fund is a nonprofit organization with a mission is to raise funds and awareness to help the

(Above) Dr. Barth Green, Marc Buoniconti and Tim Gannon. (Inset) The evening included an equestrian demonstration from Olympians and world champions.

Miami Project achieve its primary focus — to repair and restore function to the injured and diseased nervous system, thereby improving the quality of life of patients throughout the world.

On a night set to raise funds and awareness for paralysis, several honorees were recognized for their influence in equestrian sport. Among those honored were Event Chair Tim Gannon, cofounder of Outback Steakhouse, who received the Buoniconti Fund Award. Philanthropist and two-time U.S. Open champion and game MVP Dawn Jones received the Philanthropy Award, and Irish Olympic show jumping legend Kevin Babington received the Inspiration Award, which was accepted by his wife Dianna.

The three Equestrian Legend awardees were Robert Jeffrey Dover, the most honored dressage rider in the United States, as well as Jeff Hall, who has won every high-goal trophy in U.S. Polo, including the prestigious U.S. Open, and Kris Kampsen, a three-time U.S. Arena Open champion, who has played polo for more than 25 years and is still playing competitive polo at the highest level, maintaining his handicap of six goals for more than 20 years.

Along with the honorees, many celebrities were also in attendance to witness the spectacular evening. Some of them included polo players Michael Armour, Charles Fridge, Chris Gannon, Stephen Orthwein and Martin Valent,

U.S. show jumping star Todd Minikus, Olympic long jump champion Bob Beamon, NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson, polo announcer and UPSA President Tony Coppola, Indianapolis 500 winner and CART Champion Gil deFerran, former Miami Dolphins lineman Jeff Dellenbach, actor Colin Egglesfield, World Series champion pitcher Scott Erickson, NHRA and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America member Darrell Gwynn, world renowned Australian show jumper Ben Meredith, Olympic and world cup jumping course designer Leopoldo Palacios, Emmy-nominated actor Aiden

Turner, Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Lesley Visser, and former Dolphins and Patriots lineman Jed Weaver.

Not only was a great time had by all, but the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and the Miami Project can continue their research to better serve those who have been impacted by paralysis with the money raised and recognition received at the Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala. In a sport where major injuries can happen, that is money and time well spent.

Visit www.thebuonicontifund.com to learn more about the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and the Miami Project.

(Clockwise from top left) Kris Kampsen, Tim Gannon and Jeff Hall; Red and Louise Armour; Mark Dalton and Dr. Barth Green; Diana Morrison and Victoria Ranger Nunez; and Lois Pope, Tim Gannon and Christine Lynn.

(Left to right) Aiden Turner, Marc Buoniconti and Collin Egglesfield; Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard and Dawn Jones; and Bill Porter, Christine Lynn, Suzanne Sayfie, Diana Morrison and Itchko Ezratti.

TURN YOUR TREASURES IN THE ATTIC TO CASH IN YOUR POCKET

Our gallery is open, find that special unique item. Serving the public and the interior design community with great prices. Pieces ranging from street art, to sculptures, contemporary art, museum art and much more.

We run monthly auctions. Always looking for consignments, we accept art, paintings, statues, antiques, ceramics, bronze, glass, watches, higher end pocket books and jewelry.

“How

THE BEST PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Recent Magazine Ranking Just Confirmed What We Already Knew

BY JIM BARNES, WELLINGTON VILLAGE MANAGER

Wellington was recently ranked among the top ten “Best Places to Live for Families” by Fortune magazine. This year’s ranking showcases communities across the nation where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to critical resources, community support and financial well-being. To select the “Best Places to Live for Families,” Fortune evaluated nearly 1,900 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages and townships that had approximately 20,000 residents across all 50 states. This range provided a broad universe of places that offered high-quality amenities in communities with a hometown feel. To help thoroughly analyze each place, Fortune reviewed more than 200,000 unique data points across five broad categories: education, aging resources, general wellness, financial health and livability.

Wellington In

Wellington broke into the top ten, coming in 8th in the rankings overall — and the only community in Florida on this year’s list. Many of the indicators used for these rankings align with the village’s strategic focus areas, so making the top of this list validates our commitment toward success in the areas in which we are most invested.

This ranking is just one of the many accolades we earned recently. Wellington’s success in this ranking is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. By continuously delivering best-in-class services, we have made Wellington a great hometown that meets the diverse needs of our residents. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved for their vision and

commitment to making Wellington a community of choice for all.

National Civic League Award

Our efforts to engage residents, particularly our youth, in decision-making and strategic initiatives recently garnered recognition from the National Civic League. Wellington ranked as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 All-America City Award, recognized among the top communities in the nation for civic engagement. We assembled a dynamic team of “All-America City Representatives,” composed of students, education and government leaders, as well as community advocates, who traveled recently to Denver, Colorado, to present the inspiring story of their work to a jury of esteemed national civic leaders.

The heart of Wellington’s compelling

presentation revolved around the success of three key programs: the HYPE tutoring program, the Tom Atkins Civics 101 civic engagement program and the SWAG internship program. These initiatives showcased Wellington’s dedication to nurturing youth voices and empowering residents, including young individuals, to address crucial issues such as diversity and inclusion, and college and career readiness.

The recognition as a finalist for the 2023 All-America City Award is a testament to the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication of our community. While we did not secure the top award this year, we take immense pride in the progress we have made in building the civic capacity of our young people and fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment.

Wellington remains committed to empowering our residents and strength-

ening our community for a brighter future.

Taking Stock Of Our Community

As we work on next year’s budget, it is time to take stock of everything we accomplished so far this year. Recently, the village earned Moody’s highest Aaa rating, which is an improvement from the village’s previous rating of Aa1. The upgrade to Aaa reflects a growing and highwealth economic base, robust financial position and strong financial policies. Wellington’s financial position is healthy given its fund balance and liquidity, tax base and exceptional budgetary management. The rating agency recognized the village’s tax base, conservative budgeting, strong and proactive management team, and operating fund balance as proof of the community’s financial stability.

Other Awards For Wellington

The village’s Public Works Department once again earned reaccreditation through the American Public Works Association (APWA). Reaccreditation recognizes a commitment to the highest level of service to the community. As part of this process, the APWA evaluated 265 of our policies and procedures and awarded the village 100 percent full compliance on all of them. Our public works team underwent this rigorous

process all while managing new challenges presented by evolving work conditions.

Similarly, Wellington’s Administrative & Financial Services Department earned several awards and acknowledgments, including the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).

More Than Just The Awards

As you can see, the past year has been a great year for us. But it’s not about winning trophies or plaques; we value these awards and recognitions because they serve as third-party validation that we are delivering on our commitments to the residents of this great community. I hope you join me in feeling the immense pride that comes from building a better community through strategic planning, community engagement and accountability. Our village has demonstrated remarkable resilience over the past few years, and we will continue to strive for excellence as we propose a budget for Wellington Village Council consideration for fiscal year 2024. Our promise to you is that we will continue to deliver best-in-class services and amenities for our residents, businesses, workforce and visitors. We are hopeful that the future will bring more achievements, accolades and experiences of which we can all be proud.

PERSONAL TRAINING SERVICES

At Balance Fitness we guide and support you along your fitness and wellness journey through accountability and continuous evaluation of your progress.

During your free consultation we will discuss:

• Health history

• Exercise history

• Goal setting

• Nutritional overview

• Lifestyle choices

• Sleep habits

• Stress management

• Basic testing (body weight, body fat, blood pressure, movement and posture analysis)

CLASSES

For a current schedule of classes or to book online, please visit our website. www.gobalancefitness.com

“Through personal training and teaching group classes, the greatest reward is educating our clients. There is no greater satisfaction than empowering others to make more informed choices and lead healthier lives.”

— Lynette Laufenberg, CPT Owner, Balance Fitness

PERFECTLY PORTIONED, DELICIOUS MEALS

Convenience Merges With Healthy Eating At Budget-Friendly Ideal Nutrition

BY CALLIE SHARKEY

Eating healthier is a common goal — for parents trying to juggle busy schedules with healthy food habits, and for adults trying to lose weight or keep to dietary restrictions. Sometimes, these challenges leave us rushing around and settling for whatever food we can find, which is often fast and less than healthy.

But a City of West Palm Beach police officer named Wolfgang Brunet set out to change the way people eat, recently opening a new Ideal Nutrition storefront in Wellington, one of five operated by Brunet’s company.

“During my law enforcement career, I worked long hours and found it

very difficult to prepare healthy meals at home. Other police officers shared this frustration with me. I knew there had to be a better way, so I opened a small kitchen in West Palm Beach and started making fully prepared meals with fresh, locally sourced ingredients,” said Brunet, CEO and founder of Ideal Nutrition. “This idea blossomed into what Ideal Nutrition is today. Making life healthier and more convenient for other people is the greatest joy for me.”

While you may have seen Ideal Nutrition delivery vans around — they currently deliver from Vero Beach to Miami — this is no ordinary meal service. Each meal is perfectly portioned as a single

serving for only $7.70 per meal. One price, no matter the meal, and you don’t have to be a subscriber.

“Our meals are never frozen — that is a big staple in our company. The meals are not all pure protein and vegetable, some have a delicious starch on the side, but it’s all balanced and already portioned so you’re not going to overeat,” Ideal Nutrition Marketing Director Dena Chislak said. “I eat the food every day. The Chicken Cordon Bleu is probably my favorite. When you cut into it, it’s cheesy but not too much. It already has your vegetable, your starch, and you’re done. I don’t have to worry about anything else. It’s so delicious.”

(Left) The Steak Fajitas with Avocado Cream Sauce includes strips of marinated beef steak and tender veggies served with yellow cilantro rice and fresh guacamole. (Top, left to right) The Pollo Italiano over Lemon Spaghetti features chicken breast seasoned with Italian spices, served over spaghetti with a hint of lemon; the Keto Shepherd’s Pie is low-carb with cauliflower, ground beef, veggies and more; the Parmesan Herb-Crusted Salmon is a tender salmon fillet coated with Dijon mustard, crusted in Parmesan, panko and fresh herbs, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus; the Ideal Protein Breakfast has scrambled eggs with fluffy pancakes loaded with protein and chocolate chips; the Vegetarian Lemon Ricotta Farfalle features farfalle pasta with spinach, made with locally sourced ingredients and served with pico de gallo; the Paleo Korean BBQ Chicken Meatballs have sweet and savory flavors, served over bok choy, peppers, light soy sauce, sesame seeds and green onions; and the Baked Chicken Parmigiana includes chicken breast lightly coated with breading and spices, topped with mozzarella and tomato sauce, accompanied by penne.

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Brunet’s kitchen opened in 2016 and was intended as a meal delivery service. Now, Ideal Nutrition has a 43,000-square-foot kitchen where all meals are carefully and safely prepared and packaged for delivery to the five stores, or directly to customers’ homes.

“Consistency is the key: high quality, fresh food that is already prepared for you,” Brunet said. “The work is done for you. Life can be so much easier when cooking is taken care of and there’s no cleaning up. I believe everyone should be able to afford that luxury, and now they can.”

Brunet likes to keep his Florida company supporting Florida by using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. For this reason, the menu rotates several meals each week.

“We like to keep all the traditional dishes for people who count on those, but there is always something new and

(Above) Ideal Nutrition’s store locations include display cases with freshly packed, perfectly portioned meals at a low price. (Inset) The Wellington store is located in the Pointe at Wellington Green near LA Fitness. The meals can also be delivered directly to your home.

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exciting. A lot of the menu is based on what is local and what is easily available right here. We don’t like to haul food in from outside Florida,” Chislak said. “For the first time, we are making these overnight oats as a meal because it has become a hit lately, and I think people appreciate having options. It doesn’t matter if you are paleo, keto, vegan — we have everything, so that goes back to the convenience factor.”

Chislak recommends anyone looking to try out Ideal Nutrition to visit online and check out the menu, and feel free to call the Wellington store to order or see what is in stock. Don’t want delivery? That is why the storefront exists, and curbside pickup is available for those in a hurry.

“Just take the meals from the bag to the fridge, and you’re done. Put it in your microwave or air fryer, and in two or three minutes, you’re good to go. Un-

less it is one of the wraps or muffins, which you can eat right away or put it in the fridge for later,” Chislak said. “The containers are 100 percent recyclable and BPA free.”

A mother herself, Chislak is thrilled that her children not only eat healthy food but can also hit the fridge and eat what they want because they love the meals.

“My seven-year-old is one extremely picky eater, so I think she is the best endorsement I could make,” Chislak said.

She used to have a subscription to another popular meal service, but she still had to prep, cook and clean. When Chislak crunched the numbers, it was more expensive than if she went to the grocery store in person. “Now, the price is so affordable, and I love telling people about it,” she said. “It’s healthy and you can afford it. It’s cheaper than getting fast food from the drive through!”

Be on the lookout for Ideal Nutrition at community events, especially ones that involve first responders and the Police Athletic League, including camps for kids. One of the company’s newest partners is the local nonprofit Little Smiles.

Not sure what to try first? Check out Brunet’s favorite, No. 18, the Paleo Grilled Chicken and Sweet Potato Mash, which is gluten-free and often tops the list of favorites.

Ideal Nutrition’s Wellington store is located at 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite C-160, near LA Fitness in the Pointe at Wellington Green. Visit www. idealnutritionnow.com to see the current menu or call the Wellington store at (561) 990-2160. For more information, there is a live chat on the web site, e-mail support@idealnutritionnow.com or call (888) 557-2018. Call center hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays.

If you have been newly diagnosed with carotid artery disease - a blockage of the artery that delivers blood to the brain - we can help.

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove a blockage within the carotid artery If left untreated, this can lead to a stroke.

TCAR uses smaller incisions than more traditional surgical treatments The benefits of this approach can include shorter hospital stays, less pain, smaller scars and a reduced risk of future strokes.

The risk of stroke during and immediately after surgery is lower with TCAR than other carotid surgeries.

Ask your physician if TCAR is right for you.