Martelluci named LCC Cd’A director

Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, is welcoming new executive director Joan Martelluci.

“I wanted to be a nurse since I was 6 years old,” said Martelluci. “I have always worked with the elderly population. I love health care and the older population, and God has blessed me with both.”

Martelluci has approximately 35 years of experience in long-term care, most of which she spent as a chief executive officer for Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab-Siena in Auburn, Calif., where she worked for 17 years. She has served as an executive director and director of nursing services and has been in long-term care since she graduated from nursing school in 1981.

“The team at Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene has been wonderful,” shared Martelluci. “They have been welcoming, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and the residents.”

Originally from Detroit, Mich., Martelluci earned her degree in nursing from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. She currently resides in Coeur d’Alene, with her husband, Steven. The couple has five daughters.

Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene, located at 500 W. Aqua Ave., is one of eight facilities in Idaho operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., Life Care operates or manages more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.

Meza joins Heritage Health as CMO

Heritage Health announced the hiring of Dr. Michael Meza to the position of chief medical officer.

Meza is a graduate of the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School, with a residency in family practice at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. He’s board-certified in family practice, advanced cardiac life support and advanced trauma life support. Meza has served since 2013 as the medical director of North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls.

“His incredible energy and experience provides the unique ability for him to move into this role and lead us into the future,” said Mike Baker, Heritage CEO.

Baker also praised the contributions of former CMO Dr. Joseph Abate and his continuing collaboration with Heritage Health. Abate will transition to a part-time role focusing on community projects and strategic partnerships, serving with Meza, who began as CMO on Jan. 1.

“This partnership will allow Heritage Health to deepen our physician leadership team,” said Baker. “Dr. Abate’s vision and leadership has helped to transform this organization into what we are today.”

Popular Patch increases staff, inventory

Popular Patch, a Hayden-based family-owned business, recently expanded its offerings from 8,000 to more than 10,000 military unit patch products for wholesale and retail purchase. In addition to the expansion in military patches, the business has grown by hiring help for its 3,000-square-foot warehouse. More than 30 years ago, while still in the Navy, the founder Don McGrogan discovered his passion for preserving the memory of our military insignias as a patch collector. Now a three-generation business, Popular Patch is dedicated to keeping his passion alive. You can find Popular Patch at www.popularpatch.com to see all of its products.

Info: info@popularpatch.com or (877) 939-9195.

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