Richard P. Cole, Esq., fulfills family tradition of community service and philanthropy

MIAMI, FL – February 5, 2019 – With immense gratitude, Baptist Health Foundation has announced a transformational gift of $10 million from Richard P. Cole, Esq. Mr. Cole credits his late father, Robert, for creating a family tradition of philanthropy and community service.  Twenty-five years ago, Robert established the Robert B. Cole Distinguished Nursing Lecture Series to encourage, inspire and honor Baptist Health’s nurses. The two-day event drew over 1,000 nurses; and during the event, another legacy began with the inauguration of the Richard P. Cole Nurse of the Year Award.  At its silver anniversary, Richard donated $5 million to ensure the sustainability of this popular lecture series started by his dad.

Another $5 million was designated to Miami Cancer Institute in honor of Richard’s parents. Following the family philosophy that great people make great organizations, Cole praised Baptist Health for hiring Founding CEO and Executive Medical Director Michael Zinner, M.D., to head the Institute. 

“Dr. Zinner is such a visionary leader who continues to apply his vast expertise in both the clinical and academic sides of medicine,” said Cole. “He is so well-respected in the industry that he has successfully recruited the best of the best to practice at Miami Cancer Institute.  Our community is extremely fortunate to have access to world-class cancer care in their own backyard.”

Cole’s generous gift to Miami Cancer Institute will support promising research and clinical trials.  Miami Cancer Institute is Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, through which both organizations are closely collaborating to identify the best possible outcomes for patients battling cancer. 

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About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.

Miami Lakes, Fla. – Janaury, 29, 2019 –  José C. Romano was installed as the Orange Bowl Committee’s 81st President and Chair on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables. Romano has been a member of the Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) since 2005 and succeeds Immediate Past President & Chair, Sean Pittman.

Romano will oversee the Committee’s continued commitment to the South Florida community, including a full slate of events, highlighted by the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 1, 2020. The Orange Bowl invests more than $1 million in the South Florida community on an annual basis, funding a variety of community events, academic programs, scholarships and youth sports programs and initiatives. Additionally, over the last 11 years, Orange Bowl legacy gift projects in conjunction with local municipalities and partner support have resulted in nearly $16 million worth of improvements in five south Florida parks from Homestead to Belle Glade.

“I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to lead this extraordinary organization,” said Romano. “I look at the history of the Orange Bowl Committee and I see the pioneers, as well as the current and past business and civic leaders that have shaped this community over the last 85 years. I am humbled by the opportunity provided to me to serve in their shadows. And yet, at the same time, I feel propped up by their support and experience to lead this organization with humility and inclusion, and a laser focus to further our mission.”

Romano is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Medical Center at Ocean Reef (MCOR), part of Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF), and Assistant Vice President, Baptist Health South Florida. As COO of MCOR, his role is to provide leadership in the development, implementation and oversight of standards, systems, policies and procedures in alignment with the organization’s strategic initiatives. He is also actively involved in the strategic analysis of service line expansion and financial planning.

Prior to his role as COO, José served as AVP of Business & Government/Community Relations for Baptist Health South Florida, responsible for over 250 of BHSF’s community partnerships. He also worked closely with the corporate vice president of government relations advocating on behalf of BHSF at the local and state level.

José is an experienced executive with a successful track record in developing go-to-market strategies for companies in a wide range of industries. He has experience in general management roles as well as functional expertise in marketing, market and financial analysis, corporate communications, business development, fundraising and strategic planning.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, José was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Digital Signergy, a company that provides turnkey solutions for digital signage networks in targeted environments throughout the US and Latin America. José has also served as the Sales & Marketing Director at Sharp Electronics Latin America Group. Prior to Sharp, José held a number of marketing and sales positions at Miami-based companies, including GDA, S.A., The Miami Herald and Ryder System, Inc.

José has his MBA in Marketing from the University of Texas and an International Finance degree from Georgetown University. He serves on various community Boards, including The Zoo Miami Foundation as Chairman. Romano is a Trustee Member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and is Chairman of the Sports Committee. In addition, he was named to the CNC Board of Advisors and future Chair of the American Heart Association for Miami-Dade and Broward.

José is an Orange Bowl legacy as his mother, Josie Romano Brown, is a senior member, having been elected to the committee in 1994. They were the first mother-son legacy in Orange Bowl history.

José and his wife Joanna have three children ranging from 13 to 3 years old. He spends his free time with family and friends enjoying the outdoors; mostly fishing, mountain biking, camping and playing sports.

Jeff E. Rubin moves into Romano’s former role as President-Elect and Chair-Elect and will serve as the 82nd President and Chair during the 2020-2021 year. John P. (Jack) Seiler will serve as the First Vice-Chair and will become President and Chair in 2021-2022. Eric L. Poms enters his 14th year as the Chief Executive Officer and marks his 26th year with the Orange Bowl Committee.

Baptist Health Doctors Launch Azurion with FlexArm with Live Case

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Jan. 29, 2019 – Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular center in the South Florida region, is the first in the United States to use technology in which it developed with Philips, that makes it easier for doctors to perform image guided procedures for heart and vascular disease.

Institute clinicians unveiled the new Azurion with FlexArm by Philips at the annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) in South Florida on January 28, 2019. The advanced imaging technology is at the center of live cases during ISET, which is scheduled for Jan. 27-31.

“With FlexArm, Philips’ engineers have overcome near-impossible geometric and mechanical barriers to enable clinicians to achieve clinical excellence in image guided therapy,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., founder and chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida.

The Azurion with FlexArm makes its debut at a time when cramped quarters are the norm in an interventional procedure room. The FlexArm gantry enables clinicians to quickly and easily visualize critical anatomy and identify changes to the patient during a procedure. Azurion with FlexArm includes a set of innovations that makes it easier for clinicians to perform imaging across the whole patient in both 2D and 3D.

“FlexArm enables us to dramatically optimize procedures around the patient: we can get the optimal view of what’s going on inside the patient without encumbering all of the clinicians that are working around the table. The result is an innovation that’s not only clinically important but also very simple and intuitive to use – a critical factor in the heat of a complex procedure,” said Katzen, a founder of ISET who serves as a course director.

The range and complexity of diseases that can be treated with minimally invasive procedures continues to expand. Correspondingly, the procedures themselves are also becoming more complex, requiring more physicians from different disciplines to be at the patient’s tableside, working together in a highly coordinated way. As a result, the clinical team is required to carry out increasingly challenging procedures in a highly constrained environment.

“Two years on from its launch, Azurion is now established as our leading platform for interventional procedures, favored by clinicians for its intuitive, seamless approach that enables them to focus on treating the patient, and by hospital administrators for its positive impact on productivity and efficiency,” said Ronald Tabaksblat, business leader of Image Guided Therapy Systems, Philips. “FlexArm is the natural next step in our Azurion innovation journey, combining clinical and operational benefits to improve patient care and reduce costs, while opening up opportunities for new image-guided procedures as the field continues to grow.”

Click here for photos and video files or visit the Newsroom multimedia page.

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About Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular facility in the region. The team of multilingual, multidisciplinary specialists has pioneered the development of minimally invasive techniques used to treat aneurysms, blockages in veins and arteries and holes in the heart.

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Jan. 17, 2019 – Flu-like illnesses have arrived in South Florida. To help keep the flu in check, Baptist Health is providing free virtual visits in January through its telehealth service, Care On Demand (use code: FREEFLU).

The Baptist Health Care On Demand application is a virtual medical consultation service available around the clock that allows people to see a physician through a video chat over smartphones, tablets and personal computers. The diagnosis and prescribed treatment take place immediately, helping family members get back on the job or to school more quickly.

“We want to make it easy for people who are feeling sick to get help quickly. A virtual doctor visit is shown through research to be effective to determine whether a person’s symptoms of fever, cough, body aches and sore throat are a result of the flu or caused by another illness. People should get a diagnosis within 48 hours of feeling the first symptoms for prescribed influenza antiviral therapies to be beneficial,” said David Mishkin, M.D., medical director of Care On Demand.

“A virtual doctor visit also prevents spread of the illness by keeping germs at home,” he added.

Should a virtual consultation lean toward a more serious illness other than the flu, such as strep throat, bronchitis or meningitis, the caller will be directed to a Baptist Health outpatient center for tests and/or a physical examination.

Click here to watch and/or download a :30 second Baptist Health Care On Demand video.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram.

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High-tech imaging machine considered game changer in stroke care

Tavernier, FL – January 17, 2019 – Mariners Hospital has added another promising new machine to its arsenal of advanced technologies: Through the generosity of donors – primarily those who supported the hospital’s 2018 Bougainvillea Ball – SPECT/CT is now offered at the facility.

Considered a game changer in stroke care, SPECT/CT – representing single-photon emission computed tomography fused with computed tomography – can more clearly identify problems such as tumors, brain injuries and spinal fractures. In stroke care, the fine image detail shows how blood flows through arteries and veins in the brain and reveals blood-deprived areas following a stroke. It’s yet another major step in Mariners Hospital’s quest to become an accredited stroke center.

For every minute a stroke is left untreated, an estimated 1.9 million neurons are destroyed. Clearer images increase the reading capability of physicians, enabling them to initiate earlier treatment decisions that improve patient outcomes. SPECT/CT technology also lowers patients’ exposure to radiation.

“It is our mission to provide our community with medical care that is truly state-of-the-art,” said Rick Freeburg, chief executive officer, Mariners Hospital. “We’re grateful to the 2018 Bougainvillea Ball supporters and other donors whose generosity allowed us to obtain this promising new technology.”

About Mariners Hospital
Mariners Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

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MIAMI, FL – January 14, 2019 — Internal medicine physician Stella Kocovic Villacorta, D.O., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, a network of primary care doctors and specialists who provide high-quality medical care to patients of all ages, as part of Baptist Health Primary Care. Dr. Kocovic Villacorta specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum — from health to complex illness. She has special training and interest in women’s health and preventive medicine that reduces the risk of disease and disability. Dr. Kocovic Villacorta will see patients at 709 Alton Road, Suite 440, in Miami Beach, located inside Baptist Health’s new South Beach urgent care, diagnostic and outpatient center. The four-story, 60,000-square-foot wellness and medical complex opened in July and brings primary care, urgent care, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, physical therapy and other services to the southern part of Miami Beach.

Dr. Kocovic Villacorta earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. She completed an internal medicine residency at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where she served as a resident mentor. She conducts clinical research with the goal of improving patient care outcomes, and she has presented her case results at numerous scientific symposiums. Dr. Villacorta is a member of several professional societies, including the American College of Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Internists. She speaks three languages — English, Spanish and Serbo-Croatian.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Kocovic Villacorta to Baptist Health Primary Care,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “And we are proud to provide patients in Miami Beach with easy access to a highly skilled, well-rounded physician and comprehensive healthcare services.”

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About Baptist Health Medical Group
Baptist Health Medical Group, a network of primary care doctors and specialists who provide high quality medical care to patients of all ages, is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Momentum reflects commitment of nearly 750 hospitals to date

Salt Lake City, UT – January 7, 2019 – Civica Rx has announced that 12 health systems, representing approximately 250 hospitals across the United States, have joined the new not-for-profit generic drug company as founding members. When combined with hospitals represented by the initial governing members of Civica Rx, approximately 750 U.S. hospitals have joined the mission-driven venture so far, with many more health systems expressing interest.

Civica Rx was established in 2018 by three philanthropies and seven leading health systems that experience first-hand the impact of drug shortages, which have become all too common and affect all aspects of the health care delivery system. The highly-collaborative initiative will result in lower costs and more predictable supplies of many medicines, helping ensure that patients and their needs come first in the generic drug marketplace.

Civica Rx members drive drug selection decisions to ensure Civica Rx manufactures the medications that are most essential to patient care. The 12 new founding members include:

• Advocate Aurora Health
• Allegheny Health Network
• Baptist Health South Florida
• Franciscan Alliance
• Memorial Hermann Health System
• NYU Langone Health
• Ochsner Health System
• Sanford Health
• Spectrum Health
• St. Luke’s University Health Network
• Steward Health Care
• UnityPoint Health

“We are thrilled to welcome these highly-regarded health systems to Civica as founding members,” said Martin VanTrieste, CEO of Civica Rx. “Drug shortages have become a national crisis where patient treatments and surgeries are canceled, delayed or suboptimal. We thank these organizations for joining us to make essential generic medicines accessible and affordable in hospitals across the country.”

Civica Rx expects to bring over 14 hospital-administered generic drugs to hospitals and health care systems in 2019 as the initial focus of the company’s efforts, with many additional medications prioritized by the healthcare systems as the next phase of focus. The company is working towards becoming an FDA approved manufacturer and will either directly manufacture generic drugs or sub-contract manufacturing to trusted supply partners.

These founding members join the previously announced governing members of Civica Rx, which include Catholic Health Initiatives, the Gary and Mary West Foundation, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Laura & John Arnold Foundation, Mayo Clinic, the Peterson Center on Healthcare, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health, and Trinity Health. Civica Rx is collaborating with the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) newly formed AHA Center for Health Innovation to address inquiries about the initiative. Health systems and hospitals may call 800-242-4677 with questions, or visit www.civicarx.org for information.

MIAMI, FL – January 7, 2019 — Cardiac Electrophysiologist Juan Viles-Gonzalez, M.D., FACC, FAHA, FEHRA, FHRS, has joined Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida and the region’s largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular facility. He will serve as Medical Director of Arrhythmia Management for Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiology. Triple board certified in cardiac electrophysiology, cardiovascular medicine and internal medicine, Dr. Viles-Gonzalez specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmias and their risk factors. He has distinctive training and expertise in cardiac electrophysiology, making him uniquely qualified to assess the heart’s electrical system and diagnose and treat abnormal heartbeats and arrhythmias. Dr. Viles-Gonzalez will see patients at 7400 SW 87 Avenue, Suite 100, in Miami.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Viles-Gonzalez to our team of skilled experts in the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiology group,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., the Institute’s founder and medical director. “He brings to this position extensive training and expertise as well as vast leadership, teaching and research experience.”

Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., lead physician for Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiology added, “Dr. Viles-Gonzalez is an exceptional addition to our team. Under his leadership, we will provide a full spectrum of the most innovative rhythm management services to patients with arrhythmias.”

Dr. Viles-Gonzalez earned his medical degree at Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. He also completed a cardiology fellowship and a cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York, NY. Prior to joining Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, he was director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, LA.

While at Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Dr. Viles-Gonzalez was appointed Professor of Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Fellow of the American Heart Association, Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society and a member of several other professional societies. He conducts clinical research in his specialty to increase the efficacy of treatments and improve patient outcomes. He is widely published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and textbooks and is an invited speaker at national and international cardiology conferences. Dr. Viles-Gonzalez serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Journal Case Reports and as a reviewer for several other medical publications.

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About Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular facility in the region. The team of multilingual, multidisciplinary specialists has pioneered the development of minimally invasive techniques used to treat aneurysms, blockages in veins and arteries and holes in the heart.

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with ten hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 18,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

The Blood & Marrow Transplant program recently received approval of a certificate of need from the state

MIAMI, FL – December 21, 2018 – Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, is offering autologous stem cell transplants for patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma on an outpatient basis, a procedure that spares patients weeks of hospitalization, often in isolation, and promotes recovery. The Institute also began performing inpatient autologous transplants for more complex cases in November of this year at Miami Cancer Institute.

“Being at home with loved ones and staying active can lead to better outcomes in certain patients,” said Guenther Koehne, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally renowned blood cancer expert and Miami Cancer Institute’s chief of Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Hematologic Oncology.

Under Dr. Koehne’s direction, the Institute already has performed several outpatient and inpatient autologous stem cell transplants for patients with multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease, in which the patient’s own stem cells are collected and then reintroduced. Allogeneic transplants, which use stem cells from a donor, are indicated for patients with leukemia, myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders and are more complex procedures which always require hospitalization. These procedures will be performed at Miami Cancer Institute starting February of 2019 upon completion of a new state-of-the-art stem cell processing and immunotherapy laboratory.

Miami Cancer Institute’s Blood and Marrow Transplant program recently received approval of a certificate of need from the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. The program expands inpatient stem cell transplant options in South Florida for patients with leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood cancers.

“The outpatient and inpatient transplant programs are an important part of our mission to provide sophisticated, high-quality cancer care to patients here in our region and also those coming from the Caribbean, Latin America and beyond,” said Dr. Koehne, who has extensive experience with such procedures from his long tenure at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he served as one of the leading physicians in the Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service in the Division of Hematologic Oncology prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute.

For the outpatient transplants, stem cells are painlessly collected from the patient’s blood over several days and then frozen. The patient receives a high dose of chemotherapy a few days before the stem cells are thawed and re-infused. For about three weeks after the transplant, patients come to the Institute every day to have their blood monitored. They must live or stay within 45 minutes of Miami Cancer Institute to qualify for the outpatient procedure.

“Uniformly requiring hospitalization for an autologous stem cell transplant no longer benefits the patient, hospital or community,” added Dr. Koehne. “This procedure is very well-tolerated.”

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About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute is a next-generation cancer treatment destination known for its leading clinical care and research, compassionate patient experience and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the only radiation oncology program in the world with each of the latest radiation therapies in one place. The Institute offers an impressive roster of established community oncologists and renowned cancer experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. As Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a deep and functional collaboration that affords patients access to innovative treatments right here at home and ensures that the standards of care developed by our multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK. Heralded nationally as one of the “hybrid” cancer centers of the future, Miami Cancer Institute combines high-quality community-based cancer care with the best of an academic cancer center, including innovative clinical trials tied to research and genomics and disease-specific surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists who are experts in their fields. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

MIAMI, FL – December 17, 2018 – Ana Sandoval Leon, M.D., a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, has joined Miami Cancer Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida and the state’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. Dr. Sandoval Leon has expertise in the use of the most advanced systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy, both in the adjuvant and metastatic setting. She will work closely with the Institute’s multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts to provide coordinated, evidence-based care to each of her patients.

Dr. Sandoval Leon earned her medical degree at Universidad Internacional del Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL. Following her residency, she completed two fellowships at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine — the first in hematology-oncology, during which she served as chief fellow, and then an advanced fellowship in breast oncology. She is Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, hematology and oncology.

Dr. Sandoval Leon serves as an editorial reviewer for Practice Update – Metastatic Breast Cancer. She has published articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and has presented at a number of scientific conferences. She is a member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

“Miami Cancer Institute is committed to assembling an exceptional team of cancer care specialists, as evidenced by the addition of Dr. Sandoval Leon to our breast cancer program,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of the Institute. “She brings unique training, experience and talent, and she will provide our patients with the most innovative breast cancer treatment and care.”

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About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute is a next generation cancer center known for its leading clinical care, compassionate patient experience, clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the only radiation oncology program in the world with each of the latest radiation therapies in one place. The Institute offers a robust roster of prominent physicians established in the community, in addition to renowned cancer experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. As Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a deep and functional collaboration that affords patients access to innovative treatments right here at home and ensures the standards of care developed by our multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK. Heralded nationally as one of the new “hybrid” cancer centers of the future, Miami Cancer Institute represents the next generation of cancer centers in the country, combining well-established, high-quality community-based cancer care with the best of an academic cancer center – offering patients innovative clinical trials tied to research and genomics and the recruitment of disease-specific surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists who are experts in their fields. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

Miami Cancer Institute part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.