Baptist Health South Florida to Build a Healing Garden in Partnership with The Underline

Project to provide a tranquil space near the South Miami Hospital campus 

MIAMI, FL – December 5, 2016 – Baptist Health South Florida announced today a partnership with Friends of The Underline to build a Healing Garden adjacent to U.S. 1 near South Miami Hospital’s East Tower Building. The Healing Garden will provide a peaceful area for people to relax, rest and reflect.

“Helping to make our community healthier is at the heart of Baptist Health’s mission,” said Brian Keeley, president and chief executive officer, Baptist Health South Florida. “Our partnership with Friends of The Underline will help to advance our shared goal of promoting health and well-being in South Florida by providing inviting spaces for our community to enjoy. Specifically, we hope the Healing Garden at South Miami Hospital will become an urban oasis of peace and tranquility.”

The Underline is a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and living art destination expected to break ground in Fall, 2017. This multi-year project will have a significant impact on Miami-Dade County. It will change the way the community moves around the city, increase property value, create jobs, attract new users to transit and add over one hundred acres of new open space. As one of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’ priorities, the project has received a $3 million commitment from the county and is a public/ private collaboration between Miami-Dade Parks, Miami-Dade Transportation and Public Works and Friends of The Underline, a 501C3 non-profit organization.

“We are so thankful to have Baptist Health South Florida as our partner. The commitment to building the Healing Garden at South Miami Hospital, adjacent to the future trail, and open it up to the public demonstrates the community’s steadfast support of The Underline project,” said Meg Daly, chief executive officer and president, Friends of The Underline.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,400 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About Friends of The Underline
Friends of The Underline is a 501C3 non-profit organization advocating to transform the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and canvas for artistic expression to create a safer, healthier, more connected and sustainable, mobile, and engaged community. For more information visit www.theunderline.org and Like and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @theunderlinemia.

# # #