Biz Buzz: Florida Hospital Flagler educates community on colon health

Also in the Observer: New West Marine set from grand opening; Gioia Sails South moving into larger facility; Awards and recognition.

By Ray Boone
| 11:30 a.m. March 2, 2018

Dr. Joseph McKinley speaks about colon health at FHF's "Coffee Series." Photo courtesy of Lindsay Cashio

Palm Coast Observer
Business

Dr. Joseph McKinley, a gastroenterologist at Florida Hospital Flagler, spoke about digestive health and the role of screenings in colon health during Palm Coast Parks and Recreation’s new “Coffee Series,” a segment to provide valuable information on health-related topics, according to a news release.

McKinley said that colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the United States and that it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. He added that more than half of all colon cancers could be prevented with regular screening.

“Even if you do not have any symptoms of colon cancer, regular screenings can save your life,” McKinley said in a release. “Colonoscopies can prevent many cases of colorectal cancer altogether by finding and removing polyps before they ever have the chance to turn into cancer. In addition, colonoscopies allow us to find colorectal cancer early, when the cancer is small and has not yet spread to other areas of the body.”

FHF’s “Coffee Series” is free, but registration is required at least 48 hours in advance. Register here.

New West Marine set from grand opening

A new West Marine store in Palm Coast is scheduled for a grand-opening 8 a.m. on March 17, according to a news release.

The 6,000-plus-square-foot store is located at 250 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Unit 507, in the Island Walk Shopping Center. The store will be managed by Tim Loftus, who said his staff of 10 employees have a combined 110 years of boating, fishing, sailing, cruising and paddling experience.

“My staff is more than ready to get people out on the water either for the first time or expert anglers,” Loftus said in a release. “Over 14,000 boats are registered in the Palm Coast region, and with our large fishing section, we are perfectly geared to help local boaters.”

Gioia Sails South moving into larger facility

Gioia Sails South, located at 14 Commerce Blvd. in Palm Coast, announced the company’s official groundbreaking on March 16, according to a news release. The groundbreaking will be for a 30,000-square-foot building that the company is having built by Commercial Construction Inc.

Gioia Sails South, which has a total of 55 employees, was looking for a larger facility for its growing canvas and upholstery manufacturing operation. They had just doubled their business and needed a larger warehouse but could not move too far from their Hargrove Grade location.

Over the past four years, the company's sales have increased from $2.9 million to $5.3 million.

Awards and recognition

Rev. Elijah Emanuel, Facility Manger of the G.W. Carver Community Center, Bunnell, presents a plaque of appreciation to Elijah Miller, Manager of the Wendy's in Bunnell. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Massaro

The George Washington Carver Foundation presented an award of appreciation to Elijah Miller, the manager of a Bunnell Wendy’s, due to Miller’s constant support and personal commitment in providing employment opportunities to local youth, according to a news release.
FHF named emergency medical physician Dr. Kristin McCabe its “Physician of the Quarter,” according to a news release. McCabe had just completed a two-year term as chief of staff for the hospital.
Watson Realty Corp. recognized Bob and Barb Johanson as the top sales team in the Palm Coast offices for the month of January, according to a news release. The Johansons had a strong start to 2018 with over $1,000,000 in closed business for the month.