Florida’s First Lady Visits Cape Canaveral Hospital

By  //  April 27, 2014

ann scott TALKS WITH Health First associates

Florida's First Lady Ann Scott with new mom Maia McCabe and her baby Ramona, who was born on Easter Sunday.
Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott visits with new mom Maia McCabe, left, and her baby Ramona at Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital last week. Ramona was born on Easter Sunday at CCH. Scott gave out signed copies of her book, “Love. Read. Learn. Baby Journal.” (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL – First Lady of Florida Ann Scott visited Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital’s Mother/Baby Unit last week to spend time with new mothers and talk with Health First associates.

Scott also gave out signed copies of her book, “Love. Read. Learn. Baby Journal.”

Ann Scott
Ann Scott

“I love being a mom and now a grandmother, but I remember what it was like to be a new parent filled with questions about my baby’s health and development. I wanted to create a baby journal that would help new parents in Florida raise healthy kids who have a love of learning, as well as provide a way for parents to document their baby’s special moments and milestones,” said Scott.

In partnership with the nonprofit Volunteer USA Foundation, the engaging and educational scrapbook-style journal is filled with reading and learning tips, plus child wellness information.

With the support of sponsors – Scholastic FACE, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Tobacco Free Florida and Carnival – the journal is distributed at no cost to new parents at hospitals throughout the state.

Scott also toured the hospital to learn its rich history and service to the community.

Cape Canaveral Hospital opened in 1962. (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)
Cape Canaveral Hospital was conceived in the spring of 1957, and opened in 1962. (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)

Cape Canaveral Hospital was conceived in the spring of 1957 when a group called the Cocoa Beach Development Committee, appointed by the Cocoa Beach City Commission, submitted it’s report which emphasized that the area’s most pressing need was for hospital facilities.

Dr. Joseph Von Thron was the major force in the conception, planning and building of CCH.

Dr. Joseph Von Thron
Dr. Joseph Von Thron

“I arrived in Cocoa Beach in 1955, and recognized a real need for a community hospital. The closest hospital at that time was Wuesthoff. In those days, there was a draw bridge over the Indian River on State Road 520. I came close to having to deliver babies while waiting for that bridge on several occasions,” said Dr. Von Thron.

“We named the facility Cape Canaveral Hospital because of the visibility of the fledgling space program. In trying to raise money, we approached all the space contractors, and thought the name Cape Canaveral had more impact than Cocoa Beach.”

CCH CERTIFIED ‘BABY FRIENDLY’ HOSPITAL

Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital’s Mother/Baby Unit is now certified as a “Baby-Friendly™ Hospital” by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

Cape Canaveral Hospital's Mother/Baby Unit is now certified as a “Baby-Friendly™ Hospital” by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
Cape Canaveral Hospital’s Mother/Baby Unit is now certified as a “Baby-Friendly™ Hospital” by the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

The Women’s Diagnostic Center features state-of-the-art, personalized services including Digital Mammography, Ultrasound, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, and MRI breast imaging and is accredited by the American College of Radiology and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Cape Canaveral Hospital
Located just off SR 520 on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral Hospital features 150 beds and 240 medical staff members. (Image for Space Coast Medicine & Active Living)

Located just off SR 520 on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital features 150 beds and 240 medical staff members. CCH is the highest “Patient-Recommended” and top-rated hospital in Central Florida based on publicly-reported CMS patient survey results.

Additionally, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital features a 21-bed Level II Emergency Department and an adjoining six-story Medical Plaza that includes physician’s offices, a conference center, pre-operative testing, outpatient registration for laboratory testing and same-day surgery, as well as a Health Resource Center for the community.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION