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UPDATED NEWS INFORMATION FROM THE LAST FOUR DAYS IN SOUTH FLORIDA |
Baptist Health Foundation’s An Evening of Gratitude Celebrates Major Donors to Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital
April 17, 2025 – Nearly 200 guests attended An Evening of Gratitude benefiting Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital, which was held on April 4, 2025 at Oceanfront Park in Marathon, Florida. The event raised over $300,000 as the Foundation celebrated its Giving Society members and other donors to Fishermen’s Community Hospital. All proceeds from the evening will support the hospital’s most critical needs.
The event, which honored Baptist Health Foundation donor, Lynn Voit featured a cocktail hour, dinner, live auction and live band. Speakers included Aleta Williamson, Baptist Health Foundation Fishermen’s Community Hospital Council chair; Wendy Gentes, Baptist Health Foundation AVP & Chief Development Officer; Janice Roehl-Anderson, Fishermen’s Community Hospital Operating Board chair; Drew Grossman, Mariners Hospital and Fishermen’s Community Hospital CEO and Alex Villoch, Baptist Health Foundation CEO. The program also featured a personal testimony by Baptist Health patient, Margie Casey.
“Our goal is to ensure Fishermen’s Community Hospital always has the ability to deliver the best, compassionate care to our community and we understand how important high-quality healthcare is to each and every one of us,” said Drew Grossman.
Alex Villoch added, “Today I join you in honoring Lynn Voit, who established the first Fishermen’s Community hospital endowment fund – helping to ensure cancer care needs in the Middle Keys are met for years to come. And we are truly grateful to this incredibly generous Keys community for your commitment to the Foundation and your local hospital.”
Gold sponsors of the event included Charley Toppino & Sons Inc., Lookout Foundation Inc.
READ MORE |
Coming Soon: VITAS Healthcare in Marion County
April 17, 2025 – OCALA, FL – Florida is home to one of the country’s largest aging populations, with adults 65 and older making up 22 percent of its residents. As demand for hospice services rises statewide, VITAS Healthcare – the state’s most experienced end-of-life care provider – is expanding into Marion County. Beginning May 15, VITAS will accept patient referrals in the new service area.
Founded in Miami, VITAS has served Floridians for more than 45 years and will soon reach patients in 59 of the state’s 67 counties. With this latest expansion, the organization strengthens its presence in north-central Florida, ensuring that seriously ill patients and their families have access to expert, compassionate care close to home.
“Expanding into Marion County reflects VITAS’ ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality hospice services for more Florida families,” said Angela Hamrick, vice president of operations. “We’re equally proud to create rewarding career opportunities for dedicated healthcare professionals who share our mission and are passionate about making a difference at the end of life.”
VITAS services for hospice-eligible Marion County patients will include:
Around-the-clock clinical support, available 24/7/365
Personalized care plans based on each patient’s goals and values
High-acuity care options for patients with complex needs
Access to a broad range of medications through an open formulary
Delivery and setup of home medical equipment for smooth transitions from hospital to home
To provide accessible care to residents, VITAS is actively hiring in Marion County for a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains and community representatives. The organization offers professional development and clinical education to enhance end-of-life care expertise.
READ MORE |
Clinics Can Help Welcomes Erin Kozlowski to Board of Directors
April 17, 2025 – West Palm Beach, Florida – South Florida’s main connector for people and safe, effective medical equipment, Clinics Can Help (CCH), is proud to announce Erin Kozlowski is joining its Board of Directors. With more than two decades of experience in community relations and a heart for supporting the disabled and underserved, CCH CEO Owen O’Neill stated that Kozlowski will be a tremendous addition to CCH’s growing operations.
“Erin is gifted at connecting people who care about helping others to the right causes, and we’re thrilled to have her join our Board,” said O’Neill. “I’m confident her talents and passion for CCH’s mission will help us reach even more children and adults in need of mobility and independence throughout South Florida.”
Kozlowski’s vast skill set comes from a career spanning from marketing, public relations, sales and events in entertainment, fashion and travel to then later leading in service in the non-profit sector. Moved by her own family’s connection with Intellectual Disabilities, Kozlowski was a natural fit working at the Special Olympics, supporting the Miami-Dade program as Vice President of Development, to then leading regionally as she grew the staff and scope of support the Special Olympics could provide.
Her decade working with the Special Olympics helped drive its annual statewide revenue from $10 million to $19 million among other accomplishments. As she took her talents to Gulfstream Goodwill, Kozlowski again strategically worked to increase the organization’s revenue through philanthropic giving and it was at Gulfstream Goodwill her passion for creating access to stable housing, medical care, mental health support, and addressing food insecurity was found.
“I learned there was a great need to connect important missions with supporters who are seeking more than just transactional donations and generic sponsor benefits,” Kozlowski shared. “My goal is to connect philanthropists with community leaders who are producing meaningful results.”
Kozlowski also sits on the Advisory Board of the Emerging Transformational Leadership program at the Mailman Center, in the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, honoring the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver who helped to open the Mailman Center in 1971.
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Jorge N. Gil, M.D., Joins Baptist Health Orthopedic Care
April 18, 2025 – Fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon Jorge N. Gil, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Orthopedic Care. Dr. Gil’s clinical interests include foot and ankle trauma surgery, revision surgery and arthroplasty.
Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Gil was an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at the Orthopedic Center of Florida in Naples.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Gil to our highly skilled team of medical specialists, dedicated to providing the highest quality care,” said John Uribe, M.D., José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics and chief medical executive of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.
Dr. Gil earned his medical degree and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. His post-doctoral training also includes an orthopedic foot and ankle fellowship at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami.
Dr. Gil is actively involved in clinical research and has published his work in several scientific journals. As a member of the American Association of Latino Orthopaedic Surgeons, he strives to advance Latino musculoskeletal health.
To develop an individualized plan of care, Dr. Gil focuses on his patient’s preferences and goals rather than objective findings such as diagnostic imaging tests. “Treatment success, whether conservative or surgical, depends on meeting the patient’s expectations,” he said.
READ MORE |
Limb preservation program saves over 1,000 limbs
HCA Florida Aventura Hospital recognized Amputation Prevention and Limb Loss Awareness Month by celebrating the program milestone with patients and the multispecialty team that markedly improved their quality of life through limb preservation.
April 17, 2025 – HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, named by Healthgrades among America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery and America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care, recognized April as Amputation Prevention and Limb Loss Awareness Month by shining a spotlight on its Limb Preservation Program. To date, the program has saved over 1,000 limbs via a collaborative approach which frequently required endovascular revascularization procedures to improve perfusion and avoid amputation. A commemorative event was held at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 to mark this milestone and recognize Robert and Barbara, two patients whose limbs were saved, markedly improving their quality of life.
According to the American Heart Association1, an estimated 10 million to 12 million adults in the U.S. age 40 and older have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which increases the risk of amputation. PAD primarily occurs when fatty plaque buildup, known as atherosclerosis narrows the blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the legs and feet. One in ten persons with PAD experience the most severe end of the disease spectrum, chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which is associated with higher rates of mortality and limb loss with a 1-year major amputation rate of 22% if left untreated2. “Early diagnosis and treatment via coordinated care from a multispecialty team like ours is key to preventing amputations”, shares Dr. Marie Williams, podiatrist and chair, department of podiatry at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. Furthermore, she adds, “Persons with diabetes are at increased risk for major amputations due to foot infections.” Other risk factors for CLTI include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and a family history of PAD.
Evidence-based guidelines recommend patients with suspected CLTI to be referred urgently to a vascular specialist for evaluation. In the United States, CLTI affects between 1 to 3 million people and is characterized by rest pain, tissue loss, and potential for amputation. “The Limb Preservation Program at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital provides a multidisciplinary approach for timely diagnosis and treatment, including minimally invasive and open revascularization procedures to reconstruct diseased arteries, medications to manage risk factors and advanced wound care.”, highlights Dr. Elianne Rojas, vascular surgeon, HCA Florida Heart and Vascular Care – Aventura.
READ MORE |
Tampa General Hospital Acquires Hyde Park Property to Expand Services in Partnership with USF Health
The new location, to be developed in partnership with USF Health, will house the Pamela Muma Women’s Health Center and the Chivukula Men’s Center, enhancing patient care within the Tampa Medical & Research District.
April 17, 2025 – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) today announced the academic health system has acquired a new property set to become the future home of the USF Health Pamela Muma Women’s Health Center and the Chivukula Men’s Center, made possible by a generous donation from Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula to the TGH Foundation. This strategic move underscores Tampa General and the University of South Florida’s joint commitment to expanding access to world-class, specialized health care services across Tampa Bay through the Tampa Medical & Research District (TMRD).
“This transition is an exciting testament to our shared dedication to providing world-class care and personalized experiences for our patients,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. “By expanding our concierge services and establishing a dedicated men’s center, we are enhancing our ability to meet the diverse needs of our Tampa community.”
The new location also brings the USF Health Pamela Muma Women’s Health Center to the Tampa Medical & Research District, said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to expand the high level of comprehensive care we provide through the USF Health Pamela Muma Women’s Health Center,” Dr. Lockwood said. “We are deeply grateful to the ongoing support of Pam Muma for this initiative, and we are delighted that our partnership with TGH allows us to pair the personalized care offered by the Muma Women’s Health Center with the Chivukula Men’s Center.”
Dr. Lockwood also is executive vice president and chief academic officer of Tampa General Hospital.
READ MORE |
ScionHealth Appoints Doug Shirley as Chief Financial Officer
April 8, 2025 – ScionHealth is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Shirley as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. Shirley brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare finance and revenue cycle management to ScionHealth, having successfully driven value creation across public, private, and nonprofit healthcare organizations.
“We conducted an extensive search and are confident Doug is the right choice for ScionHealth,” said Rob Jay, Chief Executive Officer. “His operational expertise and proven track record in driving financial improvement and strategic alignment make him a valuable addition to our executive team.”
Shirley joins ScionHealth from PathGroup, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He has held a number of finance leadership positions in the healthcare industry, including CFO of National Group and Head of Enterprise Revenue Cycle Management at Surgery Partners, as well as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO at The Cooper Health System. Shirley’s career also includes senior-level roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ardent Health Services, and Ernst & Young.
“I am honored to join ScionHealth and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success,” said Shirley. “ScionHealth’s commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with my professional values, and I am eager to work with the team to achieve our strategic objectives.”
READ MORE |
UnitedHealth Group Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and Revises Full Year Guidance
Revised 2025 Earnings Outlook to $24.65 to $25.15 Per Share, Adjusted Earnings $26 to $26.50 Per Share
First Quarter Earnings were $6.85 Per Share, Adjusted Earnings $7.20 Per Share
Revenues of $109.6 Billion Grew $9.8 Billion Year-Over-Year
Consumers Served by UnitedHealthcare Increased by 780,000 Year to Date
Optum Health Continues to Expect to Serve 650,000 New Value-Based Care Patients in 2025
April 17, 2025- UnitedHealth Group reported first quarter 2025 results and revised its outlook for the year.
“UnitedHealth Group grew to serve more people more comprehensively but did not perform up to our expectations, and we are aggressively addressing those challenges to position us well for the years ahead, and return to our long-term earnings growth rate target of 13 to 16%,” said Andrew Witty, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.
UnitedHealth Group revised its 2025 performance outlook established in December 2024 to net earnings of $24.65 to $25.15 per share and adjusted earnings of $26 to $26.50 per share. This outlook reflects two factors:
Heightened care activity indications within UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage businesses, which became visible as the quarter closed, far above the planned 2025 increase which was consistent with the elevated levels in 2024. This activity was most notable within physician and outpatient services.
Unanticipated changes in the profile of Optum Health members impacting planned 2025 reimbursement due to unexpectedly minimal 2024 beneficiary engagement by plans exiting markets. In addition, a greater-than-expected impact to current and new complex patients from the ongoing Medicare funding reductions enacted by the previous administration.
READ MORE
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15-Mile Walk Raises Awareness and Funds in Support of First Responder’s Mental Health
Beachway Therapy Center Partnered with ‘Stomping Out the Stigma’ On 4th Annual Event
April 17, 2025, West Palm Beach, FL— More than a dozen first responders, law enforcement and military veterans walked 15 miles on April 15 in support of mental health awareness in our community.
Beachway Therapy Center partnered with Stomping Out the Stigma on its 4th annual walk to increase awareness of the need for mental health services for Palm Beach County first responders and veterans.
The walk, which started at City of Greenacres Fire Rescue Department, Fire Rescue Station 94, concluded in West Palm Beach at Beachway Therapy Center to a crowd of cheering supporters.
“This was a great opportunity to help first responders deal with the intensity of what they face day in and day out on the job. They are always there for us, and we wanted to show them that we are here for them, too,” said Tim Roberto, founder of Stomping Out the Stigma and event organizer.
Stomping Out the Stigma is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps provide access to confidential, lifesaving counseling to veterans and first responders in Palm Beach County and beyond. According to the Florida Department of Health First Responder Suicide Summary published in 2023, Palm Beach County first responders had the highest number of suicide deaths from 2017-2022.
Roberto, a U.S. Marine veteran and Director of Community Relations at Beachway Therapy Center, along with Greenacres Fire Chief Brian Fuller and others, helped raise thousands of dollars in support of the organization’s mission. Funds raised help provide access to confidential mental health sessions with licensed clinicians who specialize in trauma, mental health, substance use disorders and family issues. An example of this is Beachway Therapy Center’s “After the Call” program, which offers specialized therapy to help first responders dealing with trauma.
READ MORE |
Essential Oils 101: Which are Best for Stress
April is Stress Awareness Month. A functional medicine physician highlights the benefits of essential oils for stress and offers tips on which kind to buy.
April 18, 2025 – CLEVELAND – April is Stress Awareness Month.
If you’re looking for a way to wind down after a difficult day, you may want to try using essential oils.
Research shows scents like eucalyptus and lavender can be calming.
“These essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. They can be used in different ways from just inhalation to use with a massage and putting them in the bath,” said Melissa Young, MD, who specializes in functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Young essential oils are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to make sure you’re buying from a reputable company.
She recommends looking for labels that have the scientific name of the plant on them and don’t include any additives.
You should also avoid anything that says ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume.’
As for the actual application of essential oils, doctor young says that matters too.
READ MORE |
Your abdominal core: Expert shares tips for protecting a part of the body you may not think about
April 2025 – ROCHESTER, Minnesota — It is a large part of the body that lies deep inside, out of sight and perhaps out of mind: your abdominal core. A new and rapidly developing area of medicine focuses on abdominal core health, including how people can incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle and how to address complex medical problems that arise when it is compromised. Dr. Charlotte Horne, a metabolic and abdominal wall reconstructive surgeon at Mayo Clinic, explains what abdominal core health is, how to protect it and risk factors for problems that may require surgery.
“The abdominal core is the outside muscular container of your abdominal wall,” Dr. Horne says. “This starts at the diaphragm and goes all the way down to the pelvic support muscles. Most of the core is muscle and connective tissue. It’s a muscular container that holds your internal organs in. Every time you breathe, bend, bear down to have a bowel movement, you’re using these muscles.”
The abdominal core includes abdominal muscles that people may think of as the “six-pack,” and oblique muscles and tissue that wrap all the way around the upper part of the abdomen and connect to the midline of the body, Dr. Horne adds. Many nerves lie between the layers of muscle and tissue, including those that extend to the groin, thighs, back and hips.
Those muscles function as a unit and that unit needs to operate well for you and your body to perform daily activities, Dr. Horne says. One way to strengthen the structural integrity of your abdominal core is to engage it during your normal activities, she explains: You do not have to do thousands of sit-ups or become a bodybuilder.
“One of the things we’re realizing is that we need to educate people how to appropriately engage those muscles when they do everything from going from lying to sitting and sitting to standing, lifting objects and other basic movements in their daily lives,” she says. “When people do yoga or Pilates, they think about pulling their belly button into their spine. That helps stabilize the deeper muscles of the abdominal wall.”
Improving abdominal core health involves conscious engagement of the abdominal muscles, “bringing everything in and holding it in,” Dr. Horne says.
Risk factors for abdominal core problems are wide-ranging. They include cancer treatment; inflammatory bowel disease; chronic or severe coughing; and complications from pregnancy (diastasis recti) and surgery. The most common problems are hernias, when part of an organ or tissue bulges through a weak spot in muscle.
“Coughing can cause large hernias. When you’re coughing, you’re bearing down and there is a sudden, acute change in intra-abdominal pressure, almost like punching from the outside in or from the inside out,” Dr. Horne explains. “When you’re doing that all of the time, it causes significant stress to your abdominal wall.”
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help protect abdominal core health. Smoking increases the risk of chronic coughing, while heavy alcohol consumption to the point of cirrhosis can cause hormonal changes that in turn weaken the abdominal wall, Dr. Horne says.
READ MORE |
Encompass Health announces preliminary plans to build a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in St. George
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., and ST. GEORGE, Utah, April 18, 2025 — Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced preliminary plans to build a freestanding, 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in St. George, Utah.
Encompass Health has announced plans to build a freestanding, 50-bed inpatient rehab hospital in St. George, Utah.
The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24-hour nursing care, the hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians.
The hospital will feature private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, in-house dialysis suite, dining room, pharmacy and therapy courtyard.
“We are excited to expand Encompass Health’s presence in Utah to serve patients in St. George and surrounding areas close to home,” said Kim Steward, president of Encompass Health’s West region. “We look forward to helping patients reach their rehabilitation goals by providing high-quality, compassionate and individualized care.”
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HHS Office for Civil Rights Settles HIPAA Ransomware Cybersecurity Investigation with Public Hospital
Settlement marks OCR’s 11th ransomware enforcement action and 7th enforcement action in OCR’s Risk Analysis Initiative
April 17, 2025- Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA), a public hospital on the U.S. Territory, island of Guam, concerning a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule, following the receipt of two complaints alleging that the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of GMHA patients was impermissibly disclosed.
OCR enforces the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, which set forth the requirements that covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, and most health care providers), and business associates must follow to protect the privacy and security of protected health information.
OCR initiated an investigation following the receipt of a complaint in January 2019 alleging that GMHA experienced a ransomware attack affecting the ePHI of approximately 5,000 individuals. During the investigation, OCR received another complaint in March 2023 alleging that hacker(s) had accessed patient records. OCR’s investigation determined that GMHA had failed to conduct an accurate and thorough risk analysis to determine the potential risks and vulnerabilities to ePHI held by GMHA.
“Ransomware and hacking are the primary cyber-threats to electronic protected health information within the health care industry. Failure to conduct a HIPAA risk analysis puts this information at risk and vulnerable to future ransomware attacks and other cyber-threats,” said OCR Acting Director Anthony Archeval.
Under the terms of the resolution agreement, GMHA agreed to implement a corrective action plan that will be monitored by OCR for three years, and paid OCR $25,000. Under the corrective action plan, GMHA has agreed to take a number of steps to ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule and protect the security of ePHI, including:
Conduct an accurate and thorough risk analysis to determine the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its ePHI;
-Develop and implement a risk management plan to address and mitigate security risks and vulnerabilities identified in its risk analysis;
-Develop a written process to regularly review records of information system activity, such as audit logs, access reports, and security incident tracking reports;
-Develop, maintain, and revise, as necessary, written policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules;
-Augment its existing HIPAA and security training program so all workforce members with access to PHI understand the HIPAA requirements and GMHA’s HIPAA policies and procedures;
-Enhance workforce security and information access management by reviewing all access credentials that have been granted access to ePHI; and
-Conduct breach risk assessments and provide evidence to OCR that all breach notification obligations have been conducted.
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Repurposing a blood pressure drug may prevent vision loss in inherited blinding diseases
The preservation of rod photoreceptor structure is shown in these representative images involving female rats. Rod photoreceptors are immunostained with REEP6 (green). Rod photoreceptor inner segments are shorter in the control-treated rats (left) compared with those treated with reserpine (right).
NIH studies in animals show reserpine protects retinal-neurons necessary for vision, especially in females.
April 15, 2025 – New studies in rats suggest the drug reserpine, approved in 1955 for high blood pressure, might treat the blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa. No therapy exists for this rare inherited disease, which starts affecting vision from childhood. A report on the studies, conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), published today in eLife.
“The discovery of reserpine’s effectiveness may greatly speed therapeutics for retinitis pigmentosa and many other inherited retinal dystrophies, which can be caused by one of more than a thousand possible mutations affecting more than 100 genes. Reserpine’s neuroprotective effect is independent of any specific underlying gene mutation,” said the study’s lead investigator, Anand Swaroop, Ph.D., senior investigator at NIH’s National Eye Institute.
Inherited retinal dystrophies cause degeneration of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. Vision loss can be present at birth or develop later in early adulthood. Disease progression varies depending on the gene involved. Some genetic defects may be inherited as dominant, where a mutation in just one of the two copies of the gene (one each from the mother and father) is sufficient to cause vision loss. Other genetic defects are recessive, where both copies of a gene must carry a mutation to cause vision loss. Gene therapies to correct inherited retinal dystrophies are promising, but take a long time to develop, are gene specific, and are often quite expensive.
The findings are the latest evidence that reserpine improves survival of photoreceptor cells, the light-detecting retinal neurons that die in retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal dystrophies. In 2023, the Swaroop Lab demonstrated reserpine’s potential for preventing vision loss from LCA10, a retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the CEP290 gene.
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OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS |
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Interview with Brent Lucas, CEO of Envoy Medical, Inc. CLICK HERE Interview with Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of The Hanley Foundation CLICK HERE
interview with K. Scott Wester, FACHE, President & CEO of Memorial Healthcare System CLICK HERE Interview with John D. Couris who is President and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center and Tampa General Hospital
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Interview with Shane Strum President/CEO of Broward Health by Charles Felix from South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report - February 2023 CLICK HERE Interview with Matthew Garner CEO of Broward Health North by Charles Felix from South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report in February 2023.
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National Hospital Week Nursing Trends & Challenges
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Greater Miami Chamber Healthcare Heroes – Special Section Program
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2025 ANNUAL SALUTES TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS May – Salute to Nurses June – Salute to Emergency Department July – Salute to Financial Directors and Managers Aug – Salute to Leadership Sept - Salute to Mental Health Therapists
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Upcoming Healthcare
Events are Listed Below |
THURSDAY, MAY 15 2025 MIAMI,FL |
The Marcus Neuroscience Institute Brain and Spine Symposium is a two-day academic event designed to assist attendees in expanding their knowledge of the latest advances in the field of neuroscience through didactic lectures, interactive panel discussions and case-based presentations. Thursday & Friday, May 15 & 16 Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center 5150 Town Center Circle Boca Raton, FL 33486 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR LEARN MORE |
United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention, in collaboration with the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition and Florida Department of Children and Families will host the 10th Annual South Florida Behavioral Health Conference: The Power of Prevention on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center to promote community awareness and support of behavioral health and substance use prevention.
The two-day Conference is for professionals in the behavioral and mental health fields to share insights, research, and best practices in promoting mental health and well-being. The Conference will feature renowned subject matter experts ranging from psychologists, behavioral health clinicians, professors, trauma and grief specialists, and prevention specialists who will provide crucial continuing education seminars, workshops and keynote sessions. Licensed Clinicians and Certified Professionals can earn CEU credits. For more information and to register/purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.unitedwaybroward.org/event/bhc2025/. |
UNITED WAY OF BROWARD COUNTY CELEBRATES 85 YEARS OF IMPACT DURING ANNUAL MAYORS’ GALA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
The Annual Mayors’ Gala will shine a spotlight on United Way of Broward County’s 85-year legacy of impact, celebrating its commitment to strengthening lives and transforming the community.
This prestigious evening brings together influential leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers dedicated to building a stronger, more resilient Broward County.
The program will showcase United Way of Broward’s far-reaching impact, including more than 130 programs offered annually and an extraordinary contribution of over half a billion dollars to the community over the past 85 years.
WSVN Local 7 Anchor and Emmy Award winning journalist Lynn Martinez will serve as the evening’s emcee.
All proceeds from the event will benefit United Way of Broward County to help support its mission.
WHEN:
Saturday, April 26, 2025
6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way
Hollywood, Florida 33314
DETAILS: Individual tickets are $500.
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Below you will find a list of educational and social events we have available this month to support your rehabilitation process and ensure you have the resources and activities you need to reconnect and/or live a full life with limb loss/difference. These AMPOWER/Hanger Clinic events are also open to your families and loved ones! Healthcare professionals are also invited and encouraged to join us to celebrate our accomplishments as we are moving forward together and embracing life!
Please mark your calendars now and RSVP by emailing me at luzcategui@Hanger.com to know which events you will be attending to make plans accordingly: Saturday, April 26 @9:30 AM: Get Unstuck: Spring into Your Next Step! At Sunrise Athletic Complex 11501 NW 44th St Sunrise, FL 33323. You do not want to miss this event!! Join us to break through limitations, build momentum, try new activities, discover the power of shared experiences, and support from an uplifting community and expert healthcare professionals in South Florida. This event is FREE and includes all meals and activities. See flyer attached for me details. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED & REQUIRED. Please register no later than Monday April 14.
Monday, April 28, @ 11:30 AM: AMPOWER Support Group Meeting at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Sunrise, located at 4399 N Nob Hill Rd, Sunrise FL 33351. Group discussion.
Wednesday, April 30 @ 5:30 PM: AMPOWER Virtual Session: Join us for a group discussion. Once you RSVP, I will send you the link to join this virtual meeting.
LOOKING FOR MORE VIRTUAL SESSIONS? Join Hanger Clinic’s Director of Patient Advocacy & Education, Leslie Green, for Limb Loss Education Series. Please see attached or follow the link below for a complete list of virtual sessions. There are sessions everyday of the week! https://www.balancedamputee.com/communities-1 |
AUTISM SPEAKS HOSTS INAUGURAL EMPOWER SUMMIT & CHALLENGE
Rising Diagnoses, Growing Demand: Insights, Resources and Pathways to Support the Transition to Adulthood
APRIL 2025 – Autism Speaks will unite more than 50 organizations, experts, self-advocates and industry leaders at the inaugural Empower Summit & Challenge, a two-day event taking place May 16–17 in Miami Beach. Part of a five-city national series, the summit will focus on how to best support autistic individuals during the transition to adulthood by addressing key areas such as employment, postsecondary education, healthcare, independent living, and community engagement.
Florida is home to an estimated 329,131 adults—2.03% of the state’s population—on the autism spectrum. Many face significant challenges after aging out of school-based supports, including limited access to jobs, housing, medical care and educational opportunities.
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A Safe Haven for Newborns, will host its annual fundraising golf event on Friday, May 16, 2025, on the manicured greens of the Red Tiger golf course at the Trump National Doral Golf Resort in Doral, Florida, with a one o’clock shotgun start. This year marks the eighth charity golf tournament, Tee Off for a Cause, benefiting the Foundation’s mission to end infant abandonment. Funds raised will go toward the many programs offered to the distressed teen or woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy and feels she has no one to turn to for help.
Register your foursome and preview our sponsor brochure by clicking on the link. Sponsors receive exclusive benefits and opportunities.
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.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE EVENTS
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Nursing Consortium of Florida’s next conference set for June 2025 at St. Pete Beach
Make plans to join us at the TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach on the 27th and 28th of June 2025 for our next educational conference Empowering Nurses at the Bedside & Beyond: Moving towards improved outcomes & satisfaction through greater mental health. Please click here to be among the first to register to attend and save with our best rates including discounted member rates for individuals and groups of ten or more!
We are now accepting abstracts addressing programs, research, scholarly projects, and process improvement exemplars that have succeeded in advancing staff and student mental health and contributed to strong workplace cultures or learning environments that have measurably improved staff or student retention in either practice or academic settings, contributed to improved team interaction, interaction with patients or students, and improved patient or student outcomes and experiences
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Tampa General Hospital Hosting Free Community Event Focused on Lung Health
Tampa General continues its lecture series, “Caring for Ourselves and Our Planet – Together,”
in collaboration with Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Juno Beach, Fla. – April 9, 2025 – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) invites the community to a free public event, “Every Breath You Take: Clearing the Air on Lung Health.” The panel will feature a Tampa General pulmonologist, an oncologist, and a thoracic surgeon, who will separate fact from fiction when it comes to lung health. Guests will learn about both common and complex lung issues, the latest advances in treatment, and overall lung wellness.
WHAT: “Every Breath You Take: Clearing the Air on Lung Health”
WHEN: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, FL 33408
WHO: Dr. Luis Peña-Hernández is board certified in both internal and pulmonary medicine. He treats many pulmonary conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea at TGH Pulmonary Care & Sleep Institute.
Dr. Sujal Shah is a board-certified medical oncologist with TGH Cancer Institute. He treats patients with multiple cancers, with a focus on lung, and head and neck cancers.
Dr. Marcus Eby is a board-certified thoracic surgeon with the TGH Cancer Institute. He specializes in lung cancer and other multiple complex thoracic conditions via advanced thoracoscopic and robotic techniques.
An RSVP is required to attend. To RSVP, call 561-339-2508 or scan the provided QR code. READ MORE |
NAMI MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS) TO HOST FIFTH ANNUAL WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ON SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2025, AT LOANDEPOT PARK
The Mental Health Awareness Walk, a celebration of hope, continues to grow each year, hitting a home run for mental health.
MIAMI, FL – April 10, 2025 – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, NAMI Miami-Dade County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will host its Fifth Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk on May 10, 2025, at 8:00 AM at loanDepot Park. This inspiring community event raises awareness, provides support, and generates critical funds for NAMI Miami-Dade’s free mental health programs.
The walk is a vital initiative dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and addressing the rising need for accessible mental health support. In 2024, NAMI Miami-Dade reached over 98,000 individuals through its awareness, prevention, outreach, education, training, and support programs.
“Now more than ever, people need a safe place to seek help for mental health conditions, whether for themselves or their loved ones,” said Susan Holtzman, NAMI Miami-Dade President & CEO. “Last year, we had 3,500 participants, and this year we expect 4,000. It’s 4,000 people coming together to learn, connect, and support each other and their community. The funds we raise support our ability to provide education, support, and advocacy for people with mental health conditions and their loved ones all year long. Join them, join us, contribute, and come on out for a great day at the stadium.”
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CALL CHARLES FELIX TO ADVERTISE YOUR JOB OPENINGS - 954-605-4785 STARTING AS LOW AS $50
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APRIL 16, 2025
READ THE CURRENT NEWSLETTER FROM
CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA |
FLORIDA MEDICAL CANNABIS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
The 8th Florida Medical Cannabis Conference & Exhibition (FMCCE 2025) will be held May 30- June 1, 2025, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. This conference is a networking and educational forum on the subject of medical cannabis.
This conference is designed for attendees who are active or interested in the medical cannabis industry.
For medical professionals and entrepreneurs, the conference will cover a range of topics, all relevant to the medical cannabis industry, as it pertains to the State of Florida, including but not limited to:
•An Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System and Medical Cannabis
•Florida Medical Cannabis Legislative Update
•A Review of Qualifying Conditions Case Studies
•Medical Cannabis Dosing and Public Health Issues
•Medical Cannabis Research
•State of Florida Medical Cannabis Regulatory and Program Update •The Business of Medical Cannabis: How to Make Sure Your Practice is Successful
“Education is the key to raising awareness of the clinical uses for medical cannabis.” said Eugene Jones, Executive Director of Can-Ed, Inc. “This conference will provide a forum for industry leaders to expand their social capital, and healthcare professionals to expand their knowledge about medical benefits and applications.”
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Over
911,000
Patients in Florida are using Cannabis as their Medicine
FOR LATEST OMMU REPORTS FROM OFFICE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA HERE
Highlights from APRIL 18, 2025 BY THE NUMBERS Qualified Patients: (Active ID Card)
Apr 18 2025- 911,401 Apr 11 2025- 909,711 Apr 04 2025- 907,575
Mar 28 2025- 905,556 Mar 21 2025- 905,006 Mar 14 2025- 903,790
Patients Added Last Week: 1,690 Qualified Ordering Physicians:
2,391
New Doctors added Last Week: 0
Reporting Period: APR 11 - APR 17, 2025
Amount of Medical Marijuana Dispensed - (mgs THC) 451,768,685
Amount of Low-THC Cannabis Dispensed - (mgs CBD ) 26,421
-Amount of Marijuana in a Form for Smoking (oz) 146,589.500 Approved Dispensing Locations: 716 Added Last Week: 3 COOKIES - ORLANDO
CURALEAF - WINTER PARK JUNGLE BOYS - WEST PALM BEACH |
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RECENT EDUCATION SEMINARS HOSTED BY THE SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS NETWORK DISABILITY INSURANCE EDUCATION WEBINAR
Understanding the Disability Insurance Market in Florida with Howard Wolkowitz and Michael Tyler. June 27, 2024 CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law How Experienced Physicians Protect their Assets. May 21, 2024 CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Dabdoub Law Firm
PHYSICIAN DISABILITY INSURANCE WEBINAR – TIMING IS EVERYTHING – PART 2 MAY 21, 2024
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law How to start your Healthcare Practice? March 19, 2024
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Coleman Consulting Physician Practice Management - Managing Pit Falls in your Practice - Recorded on Feb 13, 2024.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Dabdoub Law Firm PHYSICIAN DISABILITY INSURANCE WEBINAR – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – PART 1
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "HOW TO HANDLE COLLECTION CHALLENGES OF WORKING WITH HEALTH PLANS"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How Experienced Physicians Protect their Assets"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How to Minimize the Risk of Malpractice Lawsuits"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "So, I Signed a Non-Compete, Now What?"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How to Approach and Do Business With Large Healthcare Systems"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How Mergers & Acquisitions in Healthcare are Done!"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How to Navigate - Hospital Medical Executive Committees, Peer Reviews, Investigations, and Bylaws"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "How Experienced Physicians Negotiate Employment Agreements"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law “ASSESSING LIABILITY RISKS: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND REPUTATION”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law "So, I Signed a Non-Compete, Now What?"
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
Presented by Mirza Healthcare Law Stark Law - How can Physicians and Hospitals Avoid Problems and Still Work Together
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO
CLICK HERE VIEW ADDITIONAL WEBINARS |
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