MIAMI, FL – August 16, 2017 — Family medicine physician Monica Suarez Kobilis, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Primary Care and Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians in multiple specialties integrated within Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Suarez Kobilis will see patients at Baptist Health Primary Care, Family Medicine Center in the West Kendall Baptist Hospital Medical Arts Building, located at 15955 SW 96 Street, Suite 200, in Miami.

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Suarez Kobilis is uniquely trained to deliver a full range of health services, including acute, chronic, urgent and preventive care. She helps men, women and children of all ages stay healthy by focusing on the whole person and the continuity of care, providing an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship. She has a special interest in women’s health and aesthetic medicine.

“The addition of Dr. Suarez Kobilis to Baptist Health Primary Care is a testament to our commitment to providing the community with personalized, integrated patient care,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “The cornerstone of her practice is a long-term patient-physician relationship, which leads to better overall health outcomes for patients.”

Dr. Suarez Kobilis earned her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Miami and her medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, located in Hershey, Penn. She also completed an internship and residency in family medicine at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, where she received the Resident Teaching Award.

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 eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 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 – August 15, 2017 — Urologic oncologist Jorge Caso, M.D., joins the team of multidisciplinary cancer care experts at Miami Cancer Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Caso will work alongside renowned urologic oncologic surgeon Murugesan Manoharan, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute’s Chief of Urologic Oncologic Surgery, to provide innovative urologic cancer care. Dr. Caso specializes in the surgical treatment of various urologic conditions, including kidney, prostate, bladder and testicular cancers. Urological cancers are among the most common cancers in the U.S., accounting for one in three of all cancers in men, and one in five of all cancers in the general population.

Dedicated to the highest standard of patient care, Dr. Caso will provide cutting-edge treatment options such as laparoscopic robotic surgery. He also will collaborate with radiation oncologists at the Institute to determine the best multi-disciplinary care for his patients.

“Treating cancer effectively requires a team approach by the highest-qualified specialists,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “Dr. Caso brings talent and innovation in urologic cancer care, and his addition to our team reaffirms our commitment to providing world-class, personalized and comprehensive care under one roof.”

Dr. Caso earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He earned his medical degree and completed a surgery internship and urology residency at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. His postdoctoral training also includes a fellowship in urologic oncology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham.

Dr. Caso is board certified by the American Board of Urology. He has authored more than 25 articles published in prestigious scientific journals. He serves as a voluntary urology faculty member at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute at the Baptist Hospital campus, Dr. Caso was an attending urologist and assistant professor of urology at the Columbia University Division of Urology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.

About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, compassionate patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has joined the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a meaningful partnership that affords patients with cancer access to potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 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.

# # #

Baptist Hospital Ranked #1 in the Region for the Second Time

MIAMI, FL – August 8, 2017 – Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized for being among the best healthcare providers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2017-2018 Best Hospitals report. For the second time, Baptist Hospital was ranked #1 in all of South Florida, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital tied for #6, and Homestead Hospital ranked #9 in the region.

Five Baptist Health hospitals—Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital—earned a total of 26 high-performing honors in 13 types of care, including: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, Colon Cancer Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement and Lung Cancer Surgery. Baptist Health’s Centers of Excellence – Miami Cancer Institute, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Baptist Health Neuroscience Center – were all recognized as high-performing in their respective area of expertise.

“We are very proud that Baptist Hospital earned the top spot in our area for its commitment to excellence. We share this first-rate recognition with our physicians, nurses and employees, who carry out our mission of providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to our patients,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “To be honored among the best hospitals locally and in the nation validates that we are meeting and surpassing the high standards we set for our organization and that results in great patient care.”

The annual Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 28th year, are part of U.S. News’ patient portal, designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive care for life-threatening conditions or for common elective procedures.

For the 2017-18 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. In the 16 specialty areas, 146 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals as high performing across multiple areas of care.

“For nearly three decades, we’ve strived to make hospital quality more transparent to healthcare consumers nationwide,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “By providing the most comprehensive data available, we hope to give patients the information they need to find the best care across a range of specialties.”

The U.S. News methodologies include risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care and other care-related indicators.

Best Hospitals was produced by U.S. News with RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, 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/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

# # #

Brings Benefits of Soft-tissue Targeting and On-table Adaptive Treatment to Area Patients

MIAMI, July 27, 2017— Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, announced today that it will acquire ViewRay’s MRIdian Linac System, the world’s first and only FDA-cleared MRI-guided radiation therapy system. The MRIdian system will be part of the healthcare organization’s new Miami Cancer Institute, a multidisciplinary, destination cancer center and member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. The MRIdian treatments are expected to be available for patient care in spring 2018.

Nearly two-thirds of all treated cancer patients in the United States will receive some form of radiation therapy during the course of their illness, according to estimates by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The movement of tumors and internal organs makes precision radiation delivery a challenge, but through the use of MRI-guidance, clinicians are better able to aim radiation therapy directly at tumors while avoiding surrounding tissues.

MRIdian Linac provides a unique combination of simultaneous radiation therapy delivery and continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the treatment of cancer. Because MRI technology eliminates the radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) scans, MRIdian Linac allows for continuous imaging during the delivery of radiation therapy, allowing physicians to directly view and target the tumor during treatment. MRIdian Linac also enables physicians to personalize the treatment based on changes in the shape or location of the tumor and surrounding tissues using on-table adaptive therapy.

Miami Cancer Institute welcomes the ViewRay MRIdian Linac to its already comprehensive fleet of highly sophisticated radiation delivery systems in the Department of Radiation Oncology, becoming the first in Florida to do so.

“By capitalizing on the improved soft tissue visualization and leveraging the real-time imaging capability of MR, radiation oncologists at Miami Cancer Institute will utilize this technology to target mobile tumors such as those located in the lung, liver and pancreas,” said Minesh Mehta, M.D., chief of radiation oncology at Miami Cancer Institute. “By having the ability to visualize tissues simultaneously during treatment delivery, which cannot easily be done on other radiation treatment machines, we are able to track these mobile tumors and minimize the exposure of adjacent, normal tissues through adaptive planning.”

Additionally, says Mehta, the reduction of “motion margin” will “decrease the volume of normal tissue irradiated to high doses, thereby providing an opportunity to decrease side effects.”

Due to the novelty of this technology, a number of opportunities present themselves to optimize the clinical applications of the MRIdian Linac. Clinical researchers at Miami Cancer Institute plan to investigate the impact of continuous, MRI-guided soft tissue tracking on margin reduction as well as investigate the need for adaptive radiotherapy when accounting for changes due to organ motion.

About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, compassionate patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has joined the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a meaningful partnership that affords patients with cancer access to potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.
Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 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.

# # #

Honor Highlights Advanced Use of Technology to Partner with Patients on Health

MIAMI, FL – July 14, 2017 – Baptist Health South Florida has once again been recognized among “HealthCare’s Most Wired” hospitals and health systems in an annual survey recently released by the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Health Forum. This is the 16th time Baptist Health has been on the list.

The survey of 698 participants, representing an estimated 2,158 hospitals — more than 39 percent of all hospitals in the U.S. — examines how organizations are leveraging IT to improve performance for value-based health care in four areas: infrastructure; business and administrative management; quality and safety; and clinical integration. Baptist Health was one of 27 organizations to be named “Most Wired–Advanced,” meaning it exceeded “core” development in all four focus areas.

“Advanced information technology is key to our organization and supports our healthcare providers’ ability to deliver high-quality, safe and consistent care to our patients,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health.

“We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to implementing leading-edge technology and for the IT team’s critical role in supporting the enhancement of the overall patient experience,” said Mimi Taylor, corporate vice president and chief information officer, information technology at Baptist Health.

According to the survey, Most Wired hospitals are using smart phones, telehealth and remote monitoring to create more ways for patients to access health care services and capture health information.

“The Most Wired hospitals are using every available technology option to create more ways to reach their patients in order to provide access to care,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “They are transforming care delivery, investing in new delivery models in order to improve quality, provide access and control costs.”

Innovation in patient care embraces emerging technologies and underscores the need for secure patient information exchange. Hospitals have increased their use of sophisticated IT monitoring systems to detect patient privacy breaches, monitor for malicious activities or policy violations and produce real-time analysis of security alerts.

Most Wired hospitals are transforming care delivery with knowledge gained from data and analytics. They are investing in analytics to support new delivery models and effective decision-making and training clinicians on how to use analytics to improve quality, provide access and control costs.

HealthCare’s Most Wired® survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2017, is published annually by Hospitals & Health Networks (H&HN). The 2017 Most Wired® survey and benchmarking study is a leading industry barometer measuring information technology (IT) use and adoption among hospitals nationwide. Detailed results of the survey and study can be found in the July issue of H&HN. For a full list of winners, visit www.hhnmag.com.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, 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.

# # #

MIAMI, FL – July 12, 2017 – Todd Lengnick, a licensed clinical psychologist, has been appointed director of Care & Counseling, a comprehensive behavioral health program at Baptist Health South Florida. Formerly known as Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, the program has provided behavioral health support to our community for more than 40 years.

“We are pleased to have Todd Lengnick as our new director of Care & Counseling. He brings a broad background in serving adults and children with behavioral health needs,” said Patricia Rosello, chief executive officer of Baptist Outpatient Services.

Lengnick was clinical director of the STAR Program at Citrus Health Network-Community Mental Health Center in Hialeah, one of the largest mental and behavioral health providers in South Florida. While there he led a treatment team of psychiatrists, psychologists, case managers, nurses, and more than 30 mental health technicians in a short-term residential unit for individuals suffering from substance use and other psychological disorders. His work experience includes conducting psychological evaluations in crisis units and detention centers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to determine placement needs and develop recommendations. Lengnick, who is an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University and Barry University, is fluent in English and Spanish and competent in American Sign Language.

Care & Counseling provides confidential and compassionate support to members of our community who are seeking help with personal struggles, substance use, and family crises. Experienced counselors and therapists draw upon medical, behavioral and spiritual health resources to achieve a balance between emotional and physical health by providing counseling, prevention, treatment and recovery. For more information, visit baptisthealth.net/careandcounseling.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fisherman’s Community 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. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, 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.

# # #

MIAMI, FL – July 5, 2017 – The Healthy West Kendall coalition has been selected as one of five communities in the U.S. to participate in Communities of Excellence 2026. The coalition, led by West Kendall Baptist Hospital, uses the Baldrige Excellence Framework to improve the health status, educational attainment and economic vitality of the community.

Healthy West Kendall coalition members attend online collaborative learning sessions to increase their knowledge of the Baldrige Excellence Framework, which uses a systems approach to improve performance. They will apply the proven methods to elevate the West Kendall community and share best practices with four other communities, which include San Diego County, Calif., Brookfield/Marceline, Mo., Maryville, Mo., and Charleston, W.Va.

“I had been searching for a partner that would help West Kendall Baptist Hospital utilize the Baldridge Excellence Framework in our community. We found that partner in Communities of Excellence 2026,” said Javier Hernández-Lichtl, chief executive officer of West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “Working side by side with the Florida Department of Health, Miami-Dade County School Board, local government, business partners, neighbors and many others, we will focus on increasing the workforce in West Kendall, recognizing that job creation is the catalyst for decreasing poverty and, in turn, improving health and quality of life for our residents.”

Communities of Excellence 2026 believes that these communities will grow stronger when they have the opportunity to collaborate in a positive and engaging learning environment. The vision is that by the year 2026 – the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding – communities across the U.S. will be working together to achieve and sustain improved health, educational outcomes and economic conditions for citizens.

Healthy West Kendall has garnered other noteworthy partnerships and received awards for its progress and grants to sustain the innovative programs, such as the Healthy Hub – a health screening kiosk located in the hospital’s main lobby offering free health screenings, health risk assessments, personalized patient education, referrals for follow-up primary care and information about free community resources for healthy living. The hospital also is addressing access to care and the area’s shortage of primary care physicians through its Family Medicine Center and Family Medicine Residency Program with Florida International University’s Wertheim School of Medicine.

The goal of Healthy West Kendall is to create the Healthiest Community in Florida. To learn more, visit https://BaptistHealth.net/HealthyWestKendall.

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital
West Kendall Baptist Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fisherman’s Community 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 2,300 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.

# # #

Miami, Fla. – July 5, 2017 – The “Lee Klein Children’s Cancer Caring Center” marked the official opening of its new location at Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida last week with an intimate reception and ribbon cutting event.

“Children’s Cancer Caring Center is honored to join the Miami Cancer Institute family and to provide our precious patients all that the Institute offers, including state-of-the-art technology, first-class care, and advanced research, which our Center has been committed to for 52 years,” said Children’s Cancer Caring Center Chairman & CEO Lee Klein.

“Our appreciation for the generosity and support of the Children’s Caring Cancer Center cannot be overstated,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO & executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “We are extremely proud of our pediatric oncology program, and our shared vision with Lee Klein will only help to ensure its continued growth and greater access to critical cancer care to children and families in this region.”

Baptist Health South Florida and Baptist Children’s Hospital have worked with Children’s Cancer Caring Center for more than 15 years to ensure that children with cancer and limited financial resources receive the critical care they need. Children’s Cancer Caring Center has adhered to Klein’s mission since its inception, with no child ever refused the medical care he or she needs because of a family’s inability to pay. Through the Lee Klein Children’s Cancer Caring Center at Miami Cancer Institute, the program continues to operate under the same principles, while increasing the scope of services available to the Center’s patients thanks to its location inside the all-new, state-of-the-art facility.

Decidedly secluded in a special place for kids at Miami Cancer Institute, the pediatric center carries on the traditions of Baptist Children’s Hospital, focusing on innovative treatments for childhood cancers and addressing patients’ well-being in creative ways, including pet therapy, humor programs, education playtime and a school reintegration program.

The Lee Klein Children’s Cancer Caring Center at Miami Cancer Institute also will continue to raise funds to support costs associated with ancillary programs – all offered at no charge to deserving children with cancer – such as Joey’s Love and Wishes, Camp Fiesta and the Family Fund.

For more information on the Children’s Cancer Caring Center, please visit www.caringisthekey.org, “Every Kid Deserves Care.”

About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, compassionate patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has joined the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a meaningful partnership that affords patients with cancer access to potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community 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. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 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.

# # #

Coral Gables, Fla. – July 3, 2017 – Baptist Health South Florida, the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in South Florida, today named Joe Natoli as its new executive vice president and chief administrative officer. He will assume his new role on July 10, succeeding George Foyo, who recently announced his retirement.

Natoli is a proven leader with vast experience in healthcare, higher-education, and media. Most recently, as senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer for the University of Miami, he was responsible for finance and treasury, information technology, human resources, real estate and facilities, research administration, campus security, supply chain, risk management and auxiliary operations. From 2013 to 2015, he also served as interim chief operating officer for the University of Miami Health System, where he managed hospitals and clinics, the multi-disciplinary physician practice plan and related support organizations. During his decade of leadership, the University consistently moved up in the rankings of the country’s best private research universities. Revenues more than doubled and the University maintained an “A” rating while making significant investments in facilities and programmatic growth.

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Brian E. Keeley, Natoli will be responsible for human resources, international services, legal counsel, construction administration, government and community relations, hospitality and business relations, corporate diversity and the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation.

“Joe is an exceptional individual and is uniquely qualified to join the senior leadership of our organization,” said Keeley. “His extensive experience and thorough knowledge of South Florida and our local healthcare market along with his keen interest in research and innovation and long history of philanthropy will be tremendous assets to Baptist Health, our patients and community. I look forward to working with Joe and the rest of our team in the best interest of the people we serve.”

“Baptist Health is a leader in healthcare delivery and innovation with a true focus on putting patients and families first,” said Natoli. “I am honored and excited to join the Baptist Health team and to work with them to provide compassionate, quality care in a community that I love.”

Prior to joining the University of Miami, Natoli worked for Knight Ridder, Inc., serving as chairman and publisher of company’s largest newspapers, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, president and publisher of San Jose Mercury News, and president of The Miami Herald Publishing Company. He is a respected community leader who has chaired or co-chaired community-wide United Way campaigns in Miami-Dade County, Silicon Valley and Philadelphia.

“Joe is a visionary leader with a track record of growth and accomplishment at the organizations he has served,” said William H. Dickinson, chairman of the Baptist Health South Florida Board of Trustees. “We are pleased that he is joining Baptist Health and look forward to working with him toward our mission of improving the health of our community.”

Natoli has served on various boards including Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation, Dolphins Cancer Challenge, United Way, Coral Gables Trust, and Perry Ellis International, Inc.

He is a member of the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attained by a student, faculty, administrator or alum at the University of Miami. Past honors include Silver Medallion for Humanitarianism from the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews, Non-Profit Company CFO of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal and Business School Alumni of the Year by the University of South Florida.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, 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.

# # #

Coral Gables, Fla. – July 1, 2017—Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon today became a part of Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest non-for-profit healthcare organization. The two organizations signed a letter of intent to explore an affiliation in November of 2016 and have been working together toward the transition.

“We are pleased to welcome Fishermen’s Community Hospital to the Baptist Health Family,” said Baptist Health South Florida President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Keeley. “Baptist Health and Fishermen’s share a common vision for improving the health of our communities with an emphasis on compassion. We look forward to continuing this work together.”

With the addition of Fishermen’s, Baptist Health has eight hospitals across South Florida including Mariners Hospital in Tavernier. Mariners Chief Executive Officer, Rick Freeburg, is assuming the same role at Fishermen’s.

“We are proud to provide excellent care to our community at Mariner’s Hospital and are glad to be able to extend the same level of care and quality for which Baptist Health is known to our patients in the Middle Keys at Fishermen’s,” said Freeburg.

Fishermen’s opened in 1959 and is a 25-bed critical access hospital. The emergency room is open 24-hours a day and is staffed by Board-certified physicians and specially trained nurses. Other services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, lab testing and inpatient and outpatient physical and occupational therapy. The hospital offers swing bed services, which provide extended care for patients unable to care for themselves while recovering from illness or injury.

Fishermen’s Community Hospital’s physician practices are becoming part of Baptist Health Medical Group.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with eight hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, 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.

# # #