CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Dec. 13, 2018 – Today, Baptist Health South Florida’s Meditation Garden, an urban oasis of peace and tranquility adjacent to the bustle of U.S. 1 in South Miami, was dedicated in a special ceremony.

Baptist Health in partnership with Friends of The Underline created the Meditation Garden near where The Underline trail runs in parallel with U.S. 1 and intersects with SW 62nd Avenue near South Miami Hospital’s East Tower.

“Baptist Health South Florida is a proud participant in the development of a 10-mile urban park space for walking and bicycling under the Metrorail,” said Brian E. Keeley, chief executive officer, Baptist Health. “The Meditation Garden we dedicate today is a pleasant, peaceful area intended to provide a serene setting for people to enjoy amid the rush of our everyday lives.”

The Meditation Garden reflects how private property owners adjacent to The Underline can contribute to safe public spaces in meaningful ways. Baptist Health worked with Friends of The Underline to align with the shared mission to improve public physical and mental health.

Friends of The Underline broke ground Nov. 2 in the Brickell area on the first half-mile of The Underline.

“The Meditation Garden designed by Baptist Health is an urban masterpiece and evidence of the possibilities when we shift our transportation philosophy to include alternatives such as walking and bicycling in a safe and beautiful environment. Here is a lush park with seating near a high-occupancy highway and under local transit where people can find a place to seek rest and calm. Our dream has become an attainable goal with the groundbreaking last month at the beginning of the trail and the opening of Meditation Park today near the end of the trail. It’s truly gratifying,” said Meg Daly, founder of The Underline and a member of Miami Dade County Neat Streets and the Bike 305 Executive Committee.

The Underline linear park is a $120 million project to redevelop open space beneath the aerial Metrorail tracks that extends from the north end of the Miami River to South Miami.

FOR MORE PHOTOS & VIDEO, CLICK HERE.

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.

About Friends of The Underline
Friends of The Underline is a 501(c)3 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.

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MIAMI, FL – December 13, 2018 — Board-certified radiation oncologist Joseph Panoff, M.D., has joined Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida and Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. Dr. Panoff joins a radiation oncology division, equipped with the latest in photon and proton technology, under the leadership of internationally renowned radiation oncologist Minesh Mehta, M.D., deputy director and chief of Radiation Oncology.

A Miami native, Dr. Panoff earned his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, followed by a Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He then completed an internship in internal medicine at Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., before completing a residency in radiation oncology at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, both part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine system, where he served as chief resident. Prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute, Dr. Panoff worked first as a faculty member at the Sylvester Cancer Center/Jackson Memorial Hospital, and then as a medical director of Radiation Oncology at 21st Century Oncology in Key West, FL.

“Miami Cancer Institute has built a world-class radiation oncology department, comprised of the most skilled experts and state-of-the-art technology,” said Dr. Mehta. “Dr. Panoff brings unique expertise and research experience to our team, which greatly benefits our patients and their families.”

Michael J. Zinner, M.D., CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute, added, “Dr. Panoff has been recognized for his academic, research and clinical excellence, and we are honored he will continue his great work at Miami Cancer Institute.”

Dr. Panoff is the recipient of National Institutes of Health grants to conduct clinical research in pediatric cancer, which is a key factor in the progress toward improved treatment and prognosis. His teaching experience includes serving as assistant professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is a member of several professional societies. He also is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals, serves as an editorial reviewer for scientific publications and is an invited speaker at healthcare symposiums.

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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.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Dec. 12, 2018 – Baptist Health South Florida opened its first freestanding full-service emergency center in Miami-Dade County where visitors receive the same treatment offered at a hospital for life-threatening emergencies.

Baptist Health Emergency Care, located at 14150 SW 136th St. next to Tamiami Airport, offers emergency services around the clock, seven days a week, including holidays. Common ailments treated include abdominal pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, heart attack symptoms, paralysis and other emergencies.

“When people need medical help, minutes matter. Baptist Health Emergency Care complements our urgent care locations and cements our commitment to ensuring convenient, quality healthcare services are available to the community. Residents in the southwest section of the county will be able to access the same kind of healthcare available at our established hospital emergency departments,” said Nancy Batista-Rodriguez, chief executive officer, Baptist Outpatient Services.

Board-certified emergency medicine doctors are on staff with support from physician assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists. Just as in a hospital emergency department, doctors consult with specialists, including cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons and obstetricians/gynecologists. If necessary, Baptist Health Emergency Care will transport patients directly to a hospital where medical professionals will await their arrival. West Kendall Baptist Hospital is five miles away.

Baptist Health Emergency Care is equipped to treat children and adults. It has two triage rooms, 19 patient rooms, an emergency medicine laboratory and imaging services for X-ray, CT and ultrasound testing.

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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Decision Marks Important Next Step in Affiliation Process

MIAMI/BOCA RATON, FL – December 10, 2018 – Baptist Health South Florida and Boca Raton Regional Hospital today announced that they have reached an agreement on a formal Letter of Intent regarding a strategic partnership between the respective organizations. This development marks an important step forward in structuring an agreement that would finalize the affiliation.

“We are most pleased to have achieved this milestone in our discussions with such a prestigious and high-quality healthcare organization,” said Jerry Fedele, President and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “It is an exciting development for our Hospital and our community and reflects the hard work and thoughtful interactions of our Ad Hoc Partnership Steering Committee, our Board and Baptist Health leadership.”

Baptist Health is the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region with 10 hospitals and more than 100 physician and outpatient locations from Palm Beach County to the Florida Keys.

“Like Baptist Health, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is a top-ranked organization with a not-for-profit mission and commitment to providing high-quality compassionate care. We are confident that the synergies between our organizations will allow us to better serve our communities and increase access to affordable, high quality care for our patients,” said Brian E. Keeley, President and CEO of Baptist Health.

A Letter of Intent essentially serves as an “agreement to agree” between two parties, clarifies key points in the relationship and is considered as an announcement that the two entities are moving forward in reaching a Definitive Agreement. It is expected that a Definitive Agreement between Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Baptist Health will be executed by early 2019 and the affiliation is expected to be finalized by summer.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital first announced its intent to seek a strategic partner in 2017. Given the growing demand for its services, along with the Hospital’s programmatic and facility expansion and financial performance, it was thought to be an opportune time to seek a partner that would help it sustain and build upon its commitment to accessible, affordable and high-quality care delivery throughout the region. “Our goal was to use our success in recent years to attract other providers and establish a partnership that would enhance our capabilities and mitigate the challenges of a stand-alone hospital in a complex and evolving healthcare industry,” said Fedele.

After issuing a Request for Proposal and receiving responses from some of the nation’s foremost healthcare systems, Boca Regional narrowed its list of suitors to five in the spring of 2018 and then selected Baptist Heath South Florida for further discussions.

“We have now advanced closer to a most important evolution for our Hospital, one that will accelerate and elevate our position as a preeminent academic regional referral medical center,” said Christine E. Lynn, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Board Chair. “It will serve to secure both our goals and objectives and those of Baptist Health South Florida.”

About Boca Raton Regional Hospital – Advancing the boundaries of medicine.
Boca Raton Regional Hospital is an advanced, tertiary medical center (BRRH.com) with 400 beds, 2,800 employees and more than 800 primary and specialty physicians on staff. The Hospital is a recognized leader in Oncology, Cardiovascular Disease and Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Orthopedics, Women’s Health, Emergency Medicine and the Neurosciences, all of which offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging capabilities. The Hospital is a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). BRRH is recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 – 2019 Best Hospitals listing as a Top Ranked Regional Hospital, for the fourth consecutive year, and the highest ranked hospital in Palm Beach County.

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 http://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 – December 6, 2018 – Baptist Health South Florida has been named one of the 2018 Best Workplaces for Diversity by Great Place to Work® and Fortune. Baptist Health was ranked No. 33 on the list. Rankings are based on employees’ assessments of trust, pride and camaraderie they experience in their workplace, daily experiences of innovation, the company’s values, and the effectiveness of their leaders, among other factors.

“Our diversity is one of the many strengths ingrained in our organizational culture that enables us to provide compassionate care to each other and the various populations we serve throughout South Florida and beyond,” said Adriene McCoy, Baptist Health’s corporate vice president and chief human resources officer. “It is an honor to be recognized once again for the high value we place on our individual employees, multicultural workforce and inclusive environment.”

The Best Workplaces for Diversity not only stand out for how diverse each organization and its management team is, but for how employees themselves report they are really treated in their workplaces. They are also notable for creating great workplaces for all employees, regardless of their personal characteristics.

“The 2018 Best Workplaces for Diversity are at the forefront of creating workplaces that are better for business and better for their people,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. “These workplaces not only pay attention to how diverse their workforce and management teams are, but close critical gaps in how all their people are treated and developed day-to-day.”

Baptist Health South Florida is also included on the 100 Best Companies to Work For list by Great Place to Work® and Fortune for the last 18 years.

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 @BaptistHealthSF.

About the Best Workplaces for Diversity
Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index™ survey responses representing more than 4.4 million employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com.

About Great Place to Work
Great Place to Work® is a global people analytics and consulting firm that helps companies produce better business results by focusing on workplace culture. Powered by more than 30 years of research, Emprising®, its SaaS-enabled survey and analytics platform, gives companies access to the assessments, data, and reporting needed to build a high-trust, high-performance culture. Learn more on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Denver, CO – December 1, 2018 – West Kendall, FL was among the eight communities that received formal recognition for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of residents and pursuit of community performance excellence. West Kendall Baptist Hospital joined with community partners, including Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan Carlos Zapata and the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, to bring healthier lifestyles to those living in West Kendall through their initiative, Healthy West Kendall.

Since its inception in 2013, the Healthy West Kendall coalition pledged to provide the 300,000 people living in West Kendall with resources to help them choose healthier eating, exercise and disease-prevention options. Led by West Kendall Baptist Hospital CEO Javier Hernández-Lichtl and Commissioner Zapata, Healthy West Kendall’s goal is to create the healthiest community in Florida.

For the second level of the recognition program, communities continue to learn and develop effective approaches that help improve their community’s performance. In addition to the Community Profile, applicants describe key processes in response to Category 1: Community Leadership and Category 2: Community Strategy. The Journey to Community Excellence recipients are: Brookfeild/Marceline, Missouri; Kanawha County, West Virginia; San Diego County’s South Region, California; and West Kendall, Florida.

“West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Healthy West Kendall are proud to receive ‘Journey to Community Excellence’ recognition as a member of the Communities of Excellence 2026 program,” said Javier Hernandez-Lichtl, chief executive office of West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “This recognition is evidence of our commitment to utilize the Baldridge Excellence Framework to achieve excellence in all facets of our performance and improve the health and quality of life of our residents.”

“The Baldrige Program, and indeed the entire Baldrige community, are excited about helping communities achieve ever-higher levels of performance and improve quality of life for their residents,” said Robert Fangmeyer, Director of the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program. “In Fact, that is essentially the mission of the Baldrige Program: to benefit all U.S. residents through improved competitiveness. Partnering with Communities of Excellence 2026 enables us to carry out that mission on a much broader level, with the potential for greater reach and impact.”

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About West Kendall Baptist Hospital
West Kendall Baptist 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.

MIAMI, FL – November 27, 2018 – Surgical oncologist Neeta Erinjeri, M.D., 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. Erinjeri specializes in the surgical treatment of the endocrine system, which includes the thyroid, parathyroids, pituitary, adrenals, hypothalamus, pineal body, reproductive organs and pancreas. She is trained in advanced surgical techniques and minimally invasive approaches that can be performed through small incisions, reducing scarring, pain and recovery time for patients. She joins the team that comprises the Endocrine Neoplasia Institute at Miami Cancer Institute, led by Robert Udelsman, M.D., internationally recognized oncologic surgeon and the Institute’s chief of Endocrine Surgery.  

Dr. Erinjeri earned her medical degree at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, MI. She completed an internship and residency in general surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, in New Haven, CT. She also completed a fellowship in endocrine surgery at Yale University School of Medicine. While at Yale, she was a member of the Women in Surgery Committee, Section of Surgical Education.

Dr. Erinjeri soon will earn Board certification in general surgery from the American Board of Surgery. She is a member of several professional surgical societies. 

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Erinjeri to Miami Cancer Institute’s team of cancer care experts and look forward to her contributions to the Endocrine Neoplasia Institute,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., chief executive officer and executive medical director of the Institute. “In line with our multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, she will collaborate with Institute radiologists, endocrinologists, pathologists and medical oncologists to provide coordinated, individualized care to patients with disorders and diseases of the endocrine system.”  

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.

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MIAMI, FL – November 28, 2018 — Christopher Gomez, M.D., a urologist specializing in the treatment of urinary incontinence and genitourinary reconstruction, has joined Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida and the state’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. Dr. Gomez has advanced training and expertise in female pelvic medicine and urogenital reconstruction, as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques that are associated with reduced side effects, pain and recovery time for patients. He joins the Institute’s impressive team of urologic cancer care experts, led by renowned physician Murugesan Manoharan, M.D., chief of Urologic Oncologic Surgery. Dr. Gomez collaborates closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists to enhance quality of life in patients during and after cancer treatment.

Dr. Gomez earned his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Fla. He completed a residency in urology at Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He also completed a fellowship in female urology, urodynamics and reconstruction. He is Board certified by the American Board of Urology and certified in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Gomez is actively involved in clinical research to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. He has been recognized for his research accomplishments, academic achievements and clinical excellence and named one of the Best Doctors in America by Best Doctors, Inc. He serves as an editorial reviewer for Central European Journal of Urology and World Journal of Urology and is widely published in numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals. He is a member of several professional societies, including the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction and the American Urological Association.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Gomez to Miami Cancer Institute’s robust team of urologic cancer care specialists,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of the Institute. “His advanced clinical skills, innovative bladder and urogenital reconstruction methods and unique research experience means patients with genitourinary cancer will receive the most contemporary, cutting-edge treatments available.”

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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.

MIAMI, FL – November 21, 2018 – Family and primary care sports medicine physician Alejandro Centurion, M.D., 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 Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Centurion helps people at all stages of life keep their bones, joints, muscles and ligaments healthy so they can stay active. He evaluates and diagnoses acute, chronic and overuse injuries and develops individualized treatment plans utilizing conservative, nonsurgical methods. Dr. Centurion is affiliated with Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital.

Dr. Centurion earned his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed an internship and residency in family and preventive medicine and sports medicine at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. He also completed fellowship training in primary care sports medicine at Orlando Health Orthopedic Institute, University of Florida, in Orlando. Dr. Centurion is board certified in family medicine.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Centurion to Baptist Health Medical Group and our team of highly skilled medical experts at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “He will provide the highest level of care of care to patients of all ages, sports and levels of competition — from youth competitors to weekend warriors to professional athletes.”

John Uribe, M.D., Chief Medical Executive of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, added, “Dr. Centurion’s unique training gives him a keen understanding of conditions and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. His addition to our team means that patients with orthopedic injuries will have quick access to an expert who can get them back in action again.”

Dr. Centurion is involved in education, research and hands-on field experience in the sports medicine specialty. He has served as team physician for major league soccer teams, fellow team physician for major and minor league baseball programs and assistant team physician for several collegiate and high school athletic programs. He also has provided medical coverage for many national sporting events such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament, NCAA Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament and USA Triathlon Championships.

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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.

About Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute
Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute offers comprehensive services for athletes and non-athletes – from physical and cognitive evaluation to rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction. Additionally, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute is the sports medicine provider for the Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, Florida International University athletics, Orange Bowl, Miami Open Tennis, Miami Marathon and Half Marathon and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 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.

MIAMI, FL – November 15, 2018 – Baptist Health South Florida is proud to announce that Jobic Ray Butao, BSN, RN, CCRN, has received the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s 2018 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award for Empirical Outcomes.

Butao, a clinical nurse in the intensive care unit at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, is the first Baptist Health nurse to receive the prestigious award and the first recipient in the state of Florida.

“Mr. Butao is an exemplary example of a dedicated team member who believes fully in our mission of improving the health and well-being of our patients,” said Javier Hernandez-Lichtl, chief executive officer of West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “This prestigious award from the ANCC is a well-deserved recognition of his commitment and reflects the approach our entire hospital and health system take in delivering high-quality care.”

Butao, who is a certified advanced clinical care nurse, was selected as the winner from hundreds of nominees from around the nation for his outstanding work in improving empirical outcomes in the ICU through Proactive Leadership Attention To Outcomes (P.L.A.T.O.) rounds. The rounds were a collaborative effort among leadership, physicians and clinicians that resulted in reduced ICU infection rates.

“West Kendall Baptist Hospital nurses are among the best in their profession. We are so proud to see one of our nurses nationally recognized for nursing excellence and his tireless commitment to improving nursing care and patient outcomes. Mr. Butao’s clinical excellence and passion positively impact the lives of our patients and families, community, and team members,” said Sandra McLean, MSHA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer at West Kendall Baptist Hospital.

As chair of the ICU’s Unit Based Practice Council, Butao has led collaborative efforts to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) to a sustained rate of zero. The exemplary practice was put in place throughout the hospital with the same impressive results and is in the planning stage to be rolled out system-wide.

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About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is 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.