ANNOUNCEMENTS
St. Francis opens new neonatal intensive care unit

Clark

St. Francis Medical Center has opened a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the only intensive care unit for newborns with inhouse neonatology dedicated to just obstetrics around the clock south of Richmond. Its Certificate of Public Need (COPN) from the Virginia Department of Health and final licensure was received earlier this month.

"Bon Secours has a long history of excellence in NICU care, and now St. Francis is carrying that tradition to families south of the James," said Terrie Edwards, executive vice president.

"The NICU team is very skilled with 250 years of experience among us," said Bonnie Makdad, M.D., a neonatologist specializing in NICU care and director of the NICU at St. Francis Medical Center.

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors has appointed Annette Schanz to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission until Dec. 31, 2007.

The board has also appointed Officer Preston Pinkleton to serve on the Towing Advisory Board.

The board recently recognized Melvin Harris, who first joined the Utilities Department in October of 1973, and retired this month as a utilities supervisor.

The board appointed Lesley Brooks, a student at Meadowbrook High School, and Rachel Miller, a student at Monacan High School, to serve on the Youth Services Citizen Board through June 30, 2007.

A Chesterfield school and rescue squad have received grants from the board of trustees of The Cameron Foundation. Among the 27 recipients, Harrowgate Elementary School and Bensley-Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad received $10,000 and $34,020 respectively. The Cameron Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that makes grants for project-specific, capital, general operating, and technical assistance purposes to eligible charitable nonprofit organizations and municipal agencies. Its grants are to organizations in the Tri-Cities area including south of Route 10 in Chesterfield.

Patricia R. Holt of Midlothian is the new vice president of the Richmond SPCA's board of directors.

Pat Clark has been promoted to regional vice president of southwest Virginia for Long & Foster Real Estate and will oversee more than 400 agents in eight offices serving Lynchburg, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Smith Mountain Lake and Roanoke.

A Midlothian resident, Clark has been vice president and manager of the Midlothian office. She was the president of Savage & Company prior to becoming associated with Long & Foster in 2001. Earlier this year, she earned the Bernard L. Savage Award for community service from the Chesterfield Business Council.

Clark serves on the board of directors of the Chesterfield Public Education Foundation, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Longwood University, College of Business and Economics, and the Community Advisory Board of Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center.

Donna Procise, assistant manager for the past eight years, has been named manager of the Midlothian Long & Foster office. Dawn Bradley, a Long & Foster agent for the past three years after her banking career, was named as assistant manager.

Matoaca Middle physical education teacher Liz Wood has been named Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Association of Health, Physical Education and Dance. Outside of school, Wood coaches cheerleading and gymnastics, sponsored clubs, served on curriculum committees, volunteered with local organizations and coordinated a community health fair. She is also is an adjunct faculty member at Virginia State University. Wood is now eligible for the Southern District award.

Three Thomas Dale Students have won awards at the Virginia Theatre Association convention held annually for high school students throughout Virginia. Lauren Lachica, a junior, won first place in costume design for "A Streetcar Named Desire." Becky Lundy was on the winning team for VTA's "On the Spot" playwriting competition. Marilyn Schappacher won "All Star Cast," given for excellence in acting.

David John Skowron of Troop 898, David Burke Armitage of Troop 83, and John Mark DiGrazia, Drew Richard Radtke and Gerhard Matthew Stiene of Troop 800 have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Party Fairy Store, which will open this December in the Village at Waterford, is currently collecting extra Halloween candy to be sent to troops serving in Iraq as part of its "Treats for Troops" program. Store representatives are available to pick up donations in the Woodlake area, or donations may be dropped off at Oasis Sports Park on Cosby Road. Due to the hot temperatures in Iraq, please do not donate candy that includes chocolate, caramel or marshmallows.

Packages of treats will be mailed at regular intervals and some will be used to fill holiday stockings for the troops. Corporate and/or private sponsors are being sought to defray shipping costs. For more information, visit www.partyfairystore.com.