Prendergast Lectureship will feature child abuse authority

VIETH The Lee Memorial Health System Foundation will feature top child abuse expert and author Victor Vieth at its fourth annual Prendergast Lectureship. The annual lectureship is made possible in part by The Prendergast Family Endowment and provides a free of charge, open to the community, lecture each spring.

The event will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m. at Lexington Country Club, 16257 Willowcrest Way in Fort Myers. Mr. Vieth will address the Southwest Florida Community with a speech titled, "Unto the Third Generation: A Call to End Child Abuse Within 120 Years."

"We are truly blessed and honored to have Mr. Vieth visit our community," said Sharon MacDonald, chief foundation officer of Lee Memorial Health System. "Through an incredible philanthropic gift by Eileen Prendergast and the Prendergast family, we are able to bring Victor's best in class learnings and insight to our area. I guarantee his lecture will leave a strong impact on all who attend."

Added Michele King, director of child advocacy, The Children's Hospital

of Southwest Florida: "Child abuse remains a serious and tragic issue for Southwest Florida. We are working tirelessly to help reduce and stop the child abuse cases we encounter each year. I encourage all parents, teachers and those who advocate legally, or otherwise, on behalf of children not to miss this powerful lecture."

The Prendergast Family Endowment Fund also supports The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida's Child Advocacy Program and helps provide parenting classes taught in partnership with The Child Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. All funds from the $1 million Prendergast Family Endowment are directed toward the prevention of child abuse.

In 1999, Mr. Vieth became director of the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse. In August 2003, NDAA appointed Mr. Vieth to serve as the first director of the National Child Protection Training Center. He has trained professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories, and 17 countries on numerous topics involving child abuse investigations, prosecutions, trial strategies, and prevention methods.

The April 14 lecture is free and open to the public, but does require an R.S.V.P. to the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation office at 985-3550.