Shands Jacksonville administration, the University of Florida faculty and City Councilwoman Mia Jones invite you to a grand opening party on Wed., Oct. 4, 2006 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration marks the grand opening of the Shands Jacksonville Wellness and Education Center as well as an open house for the Soutel Family Practice and Pediatric Center. These two facilities sit in the heart of District 10, one of Jacksonville's most underserved neighborhoods when it comes to health care. That's what makes the opening of the new Shands facility so important.

"We are proud to provide more healthcare options to the people of District 10; ultimately this will result in fewer visits to our emergency room," said Liz Means, the vice president of community affairs at Shands Jacksonville.

10,500 invitations have been sent to residents living in District 10. Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, Councilwoman Mia Jones, Shands President Jim Burkhart and Robert Nuss, M.D., senior associate dean for the University of Florida College of Medicine will be in attendance. Residents will be treated to great food and free health screenings as well as music from Ribault High School's marching band.

The two clinics are located at 5045 Soutel Drive. If you are interested in covering this event please contact Kelly Brockmeier, a media relations coordinator at Shands Jacksonville, at (904) 244-9752.