Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship and Ethics 4 Healthcare hold professional, open-to-the-public debate on Oct. 19

Clearwater, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2015) – Governor Rick Scott has recognized October as Florida Guardianship Month to distinguish Florida’s professional guardians who are appointed to protect and exercise the legal rights of individuals whose functional limitations prevent them from being able to make their own decisions. However, there is great opposition of professional guardianship, believing that it is a corrupt, unchecked industry of abuse that has the potential to enchain seniors.

“Are Florida’s seniors endangered by guardianship?” This is the question professional guardian and bioethicist, Fernando Gutierrez of Ethics 4 Healthcare and Sam Sugar, M.D. of Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship (AAAPG) will be debating at an open-to-the-public professional debate at 12 noon on Monday, Oct. 19. at the Clearwater Public Library: Main Meeting Room, 100 N. Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755.

Moderating the debate will be television personality and ABC Action News reporter, Jake Peterson. Media are invited to attend. Questions from the audience will be accepted. Contact Molly Jacobson for additional information: (813) 997-9687, [email protected].

About Sam Sugar, M.D., Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship
Sam J. Sugar M.D. is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine, residing in Aventura, Fla. A 1972 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine and a faculty member at both Rush Medical School and Northwestern University Feinberg School Medicine in Chicago, Dr. Sugar is a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Sugar founded AAAPG in 2013 as a result of his personal experiences in the probate process in Miami-Dade probate court. Dr. Sugar has been widely published in the media in regards to his activism against elder abuse and has been instrumental in the development and passage of guardianship reform laws in Florida.

About Fernando Gutierrez, Ethics 4 Healthcare
Mr. Fernando Gutierrez, is a Florida Registered Professional Guardian since 2009.

Gutierrez has specialized training in clinical healthcare ethics and consultations, where he has obtained certification and certificates of accomplishment. He has graduated from numerous intensive healthcare educational courses and programs at several  prominent institutions including, the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, University of Washington School of Medicine, University of Virginia Medical School and Washington D.C. Hospital Center.

Gutierrez recently completed Bioethics studies at Union Graduate College, receiving another certificate in Clinical Bioethics.

About Ethics 4 Healthcare
We make sure you’re making the best choices for your practice and your patients with the help of our health care ethics consultant in Clearwater, Florida. We have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you make the best decisions when it comes to working with your chronically ill, terminal and non-compliant patients and their families.

Staffing of our Bioethics Committee includes: a Certified Bioethicist, Registered Professional Guardians, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitian and a Registered Respiratory Therapist. We have experience explaining clinical ethics, in simple and easy to learn terms. For more information, visit:http://www.ethics4healthcare.com/about-us

About Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship
American Against Abusive Probate Guardianship (AAAPG) a 501(c)(3) corporation located in Aventura, FL, was founded in South Florida in 2013 by Dr. Sam J Sugar.  He was quickly joined by a nearby neighbor, the indomitable Lydia Abramovici, a powerhouse of unflagging energy.  Together Sam and Lidya have brought AAAPG to the national forefront of bringing justice to victims of Guardianship Abuse.