News Article

FSW Receives $1 Million Gift from SWFL Children’s Charities

Oct 21, 2015

SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., signed a $1 million pledge to Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) to benefit the School of Health Professions. The gift may be used to purchase equipment, technology, software and advanced training, or to award scholarships to qualifying students.

The $1 million gift is payable in five annual installments of $200,000 beginning in June 2016. The contribution is raised through SWFL Children’s Charities’ annual signature event: the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest.

In recognition of the pledge and past donations, the simulation center at FSW will now be called the Southwest Florida Children’s Charities Simulation Center.

The School of Health Professions offers simulation education to help students gain skills and confidence for real-world patient care scenarios. Specifically, FSW has used previous funds donated by SWFL Children’s Charities to purchase a birthing mother and newborn simulator, a pediatric simulator, a mechanical ventilator for practice skills on pediatric patients and an x-ray machine for pediatric patients treated at the Dental Hygiene Clinic.

“The need for work-ready health care professionals is growing exponentially in the Southwest Florida community, and this contribution from SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. will further enable our college to continue equipping students for success in this industry,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten, president of FSW. “We are grateful to SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. for its dedication to pediatric healthcare. This organization’s generosity means our students will have exceptional training so when they graduate, they will make an immediate and positive impact for the medical needs of our region’s youth.”

“At SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., our mission is to positively impact the health and lives of children, and we believe that there is no better place to start than with future healthcare professionals,” said Dave Copham, trustee and member of the board of directors, SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. “Our support begins with the dedicated individuals that will be caring for Southwest Florida children in medical settings, and strengthening healthcare programs like FSW’s will ensure that these children will receive the most advanced care from a team of well-trained medical professionals.”     

The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest has raised nearly $15 million over the past seven years, making it the most successful fundraising event in Lee County and one of the top-grossing wine fests in the country. The Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is the primary beneficiary of the event, which also lends support to educational programs at Florida SouthWestern State College and Florida Gulf Coast University. For more information, visit www.swflwinefest.org.

Last Updated: October 21, 2015