Homestead-Miami Speedway, Baptist Health South Florida Enter Into Multi-Year Partnership

Homestead-Miami Speedway joins an impressive list of professional sports teams, colleges and sporting events from South Florida which now share Baptist Health South Florida as a corporate partner. The Speedway and Baptist Health today announced a three-year agreement, making Baptist Health the official healthcare sponsor of the Speedway. Baptist Health will have a strong presence at many of Homestead-Miami Speedway’s events throughout the year, especially leading up to and during Ford Championship Weekend, November 14-16.

Although this is the first time that the two entities have officially joined forces, Baptist Health is not unfamiliar territory for the Speedway. The Speediatrics Unit at Homestead Hospital – part of Baptist Health – is one of The NASCAR Foundation’s primary philanthropies. Also known as the Betty Jane France Children’s Emergency Center, it is the only emergency center dedicated to children in the southernmost region of Miami-Dade County. The motorsports-themed unit receives regular visits from NASCAR drivers, and the Speedway sponsors annual toy drives and other initiatives to lift the spirits of sick children and their families.

“Baptist Health is one of South Florida’s leading healthcare providers, and we are excited to have them on our team,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “The Speediatrics unit at Homestead Hospital has been a main focus of our community endeavors for many years, and partnering with Baptist Health South Florida as a whole expands that tremendous relationship.”

“Homestead Hospital’s longstanding partnership with the Speedway has brought great joy to our young patients, their families, and the nurses and physicians who care for them,” said Homestead Hospital CEO Bill Duquette, “and this is only a glimpse of what’s in store for our community.”

In addition to their sponsorship affiliations, Baptist Health currently serves as the official healthcare provider for the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers, as well as Florida International University’s athletic program, Miami-Dade County Public Schools athletics, Orange Bowl, Miami Open, World Golf Championships and Miami Marathon.

About Homestead-Miami Speedway
The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.  The 650-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year, and features a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course. The track generates more than $250 million annually for the region.

For the 13th consecutive year, NASCAR will crown champions in all three of its premier series at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend (November 14-16). The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will again culminate with the Ford EcoBoost 400, which is broadcast live on TV by ESPN to 200 countries in 24 languages. It also will air on radio by MRN and its affiliates throughout the country. For the first time, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series will crown its champion based on a 10-race, 16-driver elimination series. The four remaining drivers who have advanced from the previous rounds in the Chase For The Sprint Cup will compete amongst a full 43-car field at the Ford EcoBoost 400, with the highest finisher among those four drivers earning the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

About Baptist HealthSouth Florida
Baptist Health 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) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 consecutive years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the third year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

Contact: Dori Alvarez, 786-596-3050, [email protected]