A child’s smile is one of the greatest joys of life. Unfortunately, some children in the United States are born with a facial deformity. For the 15th year, Baptist Children’s Hospital will host Day of Smiles, a program in which the hospital donates its facilities and charitable funds to perform corrective facial surgeries and other clinically needed reconstructive procedures for South Florida children. These operations will be provided at no cost for children whose families are unable to pay for these types of services.

A screening to identify children who may be candidates for surgery will take place on Saturday, May 21, at Baptist Children’s Hospital. The surgeries will take place on Saturday, June 11. Types of facial deformities that can be corrected include: cleft palates, cleft lips, scars, tumors, burns, ear deformities, port wine birthmarks and congenital hand deformities. Baptist Children’s Hospital doctors from various specialties, including plastic surgery, dentistry and anesthesiology, will donate their time and expertise for this cause. To be eligible, patients must meet certain surgical and financial criteria. Patients must be 18 years old or younger and residents of Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe County. A detailed financial screening must take place before the clinical screening on May 21. To make an appointment for the financial screening, call Baptist Children’s Hospital at 786-596-3673 or email [email protected].

About Baptist Children’s Hospital
Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Damaris Zabala, 786-596-6534

Baptist Health South Florida today announced that John H. Dasburg and Patrick P. Lee have joined the founding board of directors for Miami Cancer Institute. They join Board Chair S. Lawrence Kahn III, president and founder of Coral Gables-based Lowell Homes; Secretary Phil Conway, managing director and U.S. southeast region head of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank; and Treasurer Ron Shuffield, president of EWM Realty International.

“Both highly distinguished executives, Mr. Dasburg and Mr. Lee will lend tremendous support to the Board’s mission of helping Baptist Health establish the highest-caliber cancer care center in the region, said S. Lawrence Kahn III, founding chair, Miami Cancer Institute board of directors. “Their sharp business acumen and knowledge of the greater Miami region will play a critical role during our inaugural year. We are thrilled and honored they have accepted our invitation to join us,” said Mr. Kahn.

Mr. Dasburg is the chairman, chief executive officer and co-owner of aviation enterprise ASTAR USA, a role he has held since 2003. Prior, he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Miami-based Burger King Corporation, where he led a three-year turnaround that culminated in the company’s 2003 sale. He is a past president and CEO of Northwest Airlines, past president of Marriott Lodging Group and past executive vice president/chief financial officer of Marriott Corporation. Prior to his time with Marriott, Mr. Dasburg served as a partner at KPMG, an international CPA firm.

He serves as lead director and chair of the audit committee for The Travelers Companies board of directors, and sits on the board of Trilantic Capital Partners. His previous board experience includes Northwest Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Mayo Clinic and more.

Among his numerous recognitions, Mr. Dasburg was awarded the Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans, an honor given to those who have succeeded in spite of adversity, which emphasizes the importance of higher education and extols the importance of perseverance and hard work. He was named “Man of the Year” by Travel Agent Magazine and appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the White House Fellows Committee.

Mr. Dasburg holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Florida, where he also went on to earn his MBA. He would later earn his Juris Doctor from the University’s Levin College of Law.

He is a veteran of the United States Navy, holding the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade) during his service in Vietnam. A native of Queens, New York, Mr. Dasburg grew up in Miami and graduated from Miami Senior High School.

Mr. Lee is chairman of the Patrick P. Lee Foundation, an organization committed to impacting the lives of cancer patients and their families by supporting awareness in areas such as research, prevention, treatment and quality of life. He is past chairman and chief executive officer of International Motion Control, Inc.

He has been a member of numerous civic and business organizations, serving as director of the New York Federal Reserve Bank (Buffalo Branch) and the Empire State Development Corp., Western New York Region. Mr. Lee is a member of several boards, including his role as chairman of the board for Kyntrol in Cleveland, Ohio and International Polymer Solutions, Inc., in Irvine, Calif. He is a member of the board of directors for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and chairman of the board for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation. Locally, Mr. Lee is director and past chairman of the Ocean Reef Medical Foundation in Key Largo, Fla.

Mr. Lee’s numerous awards and recognitions include being named Business Executive of the Year by the Canisius College Richard J. Wehle School of Business in 1999 and Western New York Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young in 1997, the same year he was given the Service to Mankind Award, Man of the Year, by the Leukemia Society of Western New York. In 2013, he was inducted into the Saint Louis University 1818 Society and into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from St. Louis University, and was presented with an honorary doctorate from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. Mr. Lee lives in Key Largo.

Members of all Baptist Health boards serve voluntarily and without compensation. They must abide by a rigid conflict-of-interest policy that prevents them or their family members from doing business with Baptist Health or any of its subsidiaries.

About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, exceptional 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 announced plans to join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a dynamic partnership that will enable cancer patients to access potential breakthrough therapies right here in South Florida. Visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and 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.

Contact: Dori Alvarez; 786-596-3050

MIAMI, FL – March 8 2016 – Wayne Cameron Eldred has been appointed Chair of the Baptist Health Foundation Council for Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

“It is a privilege to be part of Baptist Health Foundation’s team, allowing me to contribute to their great work to support its causes and facilities,” said Eldred. “Doctors Hospital has saved two dear friends of mine and the orthopedic institute has rehabilitated many more. I look forward to contributing to the future development of Doctors Hospital, and its growing center of excellence, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute.”

Eldred’s more than 20-year career in restaurant operations includes spending the past decade at the helm of Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill in the heart of Coral Gables. He is the current Chairman of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, and has been active on their executive board for many years. In addition to his work with Baptist Health Foundation, Eldred also proudly serves on the board of directors for both Camillus House and the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

In 2013, Eldred was honored as the winner of the annual Coral Gables Diamond Awards. He is also a co-founder of the annual “Burgerlicious” event and Coral Gables Restaurant Weeks. In 2015, he was dubbed “the Achiever” in Miami Today, and in February 2016, he also was selected by the Miami Herald as one of “South Florida’s Food 50,” and one of only three featured in the “Hospitality Expert” section.

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 medical education opportunities to medical staff. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.

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Contact: Liz Jakeway; 786-467-5417

Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2016 World’s Most Ethical Company®. This is the sixth straight year that Baptist Health has received this honor.

The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes those companies who align principle with action, work tirelessly to make trust part of their corporate DNA, and in doing so, shape future industry standards by introducing tomorrow’s best practices today.

Baptist Health has remained on the prestigious list since 2010 and is one of only seven U.S. companies listed in the healthcare providers category, underscoring the organization’s commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices. This year, a total of 130 companies from 21 countries and 5 continents were honored.

“We try to do the right thing and we try to do things right—all of the time, “Said Brian E. Keeley, president and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida. “At Baptist Health, we’re proud to be an international leader in developing a corporate structure and strong programs that support transparency and create a measurable ethical environment. Our mission statement is rooted in our commitment to integrity and moral practices, and our values define the way we treat our patients and employees and carry out business.”

“Companies rely on Ethisphere to continually raise and measure the standards of corporate behavior. Those that demonstrate leadership in areas like citizenship, integrity and transparency create more value for their investors, communities, customers and employees, thus solidifying a sustainable business advantage,” explained Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. “Congratulations to everyone at Baptist Health South Florida for being recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company.”

The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient™ (EQ) framework developed over years of research and vetted and refined by the expert advice from Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Company Methodology Advisory Panel. The EQ offers a quantitative way to assess a company’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics.

Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%) and provided to all companies who participate in the process.

The full list of the 2016 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/.

Best practices and insights from the 2016 honorees will be released in the form of a whitepaper and infographics over the next few months (download the 2015 insights).

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About the Ethisphere Institute
The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with the publication of Ethisphere magazine. More information about Ethisphere can be found at: http://ethisphere.com.

Stenting and surgery are equally effective at lowering the long-term risk of stroke from a narrowed carotid artery, according to results of the CREST trial that were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute was one of the key clinical trial sites in the United States to participate in the study – one of the largest randomized stroke prevention trials ever, in both patients who had stroke symptoms and those who hadn’t but were at risk from carotid artery narrowing.

CREST (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial) conducted a study of 2,502 patients with an average age of 69 for up to 10 years at 117 centers in the U.S. and Canada. The study found the risk for stroke after either stenting or surgery (endarterectomy) was about 7 percent. The 10-year comparisons of restenosis (re-narrowing of the carotid artery) were low for both stenting and surgery – about 1 percent per year. Equal benefit was found for older and younger individuals, men and women, patients who had previously had a stroke, and those who had not.

“These long-term results of a landmark clinical trial mean that patients and physicians have a choice and the ability to optimize which treatment might be suitable for individual patients,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., founder and chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, and the site principal investigator. Dr. Katzen is also a member of the CREST Interventional Management Committee.

Stroke is the fifth most common cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability in adults. Plaque buildup can cause narrowing and hardening of the carotid artery. This can reduce blood flow and cause clotting, which can result in a stroke. Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the narrowed segment of the artery, while stenting is an interventional procedure that uses a catheter to place a stent in the narrowed artery to widen it.

Despite the results of CREST, research continues to find the best way to manage stroke risk. CREST-2 was launched in December 2014 to compare stenting and surgery to medical management. Dr. Katzen also leads the interventional team at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute for the CREST-2 trial, which is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health.

Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. It also includes Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital and Baptist Outpatient Services. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Heart and connect with BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Claudia Vigil-Perez, [email protected], 786-596-4507

Baptist Health Ranked in top 25 for third year in a row.

Baptist Health South Florida is once again one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, according to Fortune Magazine and global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work®. This is the 16th time Baptist Health has been named to the prestigious list, which recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. Baptist Health is the highest ranking non-profit and the top healthcare provider on the list. Once again, Baptist Health topped the list of employers with the most diversified staff in terms of minorities (73 percent). Additionally, Baptist Health ranked in the top ten for its percentage of women employees (73 percent).

“The defining characteristic of Baptist Health is our people: the caring and compassionate employees and caregivers who touch the lives of all those who enter through our doors,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida. “As the most preferred employer in South Florida, we continually strive to provide an environment that attracts the best and the brightest–and people who embrace our culture of always putting our patients first. With this commitment to clinical and service excellence, we continue to maintain and enhance our reputation as the #1 healthcare provider in South Florida.”

Baptist Health employees have many work/life benefits, which include on-site child care at various facilities, free online and on-site educational offerings, a retirement plan with matching contributions, paid time off cashouts, a fund that provides interest-free loans to employees who need help for an unusual or unexpected financial crisis, and an award-winning employee wellness program that includes free on-site employee clinics, free fitness centers, nationally recognized classes, a cutting-edge health management program, training clubs and fitness classes.

“Now more than ever, it is important for companies to prove they are great workplaces,” said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work®. “Top talent expects as much as they seek new opportunities, and customers are demanding it as well as they decide where to spend their dollars. The 100 best workplaces are at the top of the heap in demonstrating they have a high-trust, high-performing culture.”

To identify the 100 Best Companies to Work For, each year Fortune partners with Great Place to Work to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. Two-thirds of a company’s survey score is based on the results of the Trust Index Employee Survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. This survey asks questions related to employees’ attitudes about management’s credibility, overall job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third is based on responses to the Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring practices, methods of internal communication, training, recognition programs, and diversity efforts.

See the complete 2016 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 best companies to work for in America and as one of the world’s most ethical companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF

About Great Place to Work®
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, including Best Workplaces lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work® provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In the United States, Great Place to Work® produces the annual Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For®” list and a series of Great Place to Work® Best Workplaces lists including lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small and Medium Companies and over a half dozen different industry lists. Follow Great Place to Work® online at Greatplacetowork.com and on Twitter at @GPTW_US.

Contact: Dori Alvarez, 786-596-3050

Miami-Based Healthcare System Marks Third Addition to National Collaboration

FEBRUARY 10, 2016 (MIAMI) – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida announce the beginning of a dynamic and forward-thinking collaboration aimed at improving patient access to the latest and most effective cancer treatment advances and the highest caliber of cancer care. Leaders from both institutions have confirmed the first step in announcing their recently signed agreement for Miami Cancer Institute to join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance.

The MSK Cancer Alliance is a unique partnership between MSK and community oncology providers that aims to bring the most current knowledge and advanced cancer care into the community setting.

“For more than a century, Memorial Sloan Kettering has been delivering exceptional, patient-focused cancer care and has generated the scientific discoveries necessary to further develop effective new treatments,” said Craig B. Thompson, MD, President and CEO of MSK. “Today, we recognize the need to do more. Central to our mission is eradicating cancer, and through the MSK Cancer Alliance — and in collaboration with Miami Cancer Institute — we have a unique opportunity to share our knowledge and best practices with a wider patient population.”

“Memorial Sloan Kettering chose Miami Cancer Institute for its commitment to delivering to our community the highest levels of innovation and precision in cancer care in combination with the renowned focus on patient experience for which Baptist Health is well-known,” said Brian E. Keeley, President and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida. “Our collaboration with MSK will save lives by bringing evidence-based, world-class standards to our network of seven hospitals and more than 50 outpatient facilities, serving thousands of patients in our community each year.”

Michael J. Zinner, MD, Founding CEO and Executive Medical Director of Miami Cancer Institute, noted that membership in the MSK Cancer Alliance provides patients with access to benefits in the short- and long-term.

“The enhanced treatments and clinical care we can now offer — including standards that align with MSK for surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy — will have a near-immediate impact on our patients,” remarked Zinner. “In the near future, Miami Cancer Institute will provide access to cutting-edge research, including MSK’s world-renowned clinical trials and protocols and breakthroughs in promising new fields, such as molecular oncology. Our collaboration with some of the most preeminent cancer specialists in the world, all working together to develop the best care plans for each patient, establishes Miami Cancer Institute as the area’s preeminent hybrid academic-community cancer center.”

Click here to experience the announcement with a video recap on Baptist Health’s Resource blog.

Alliance Fulfills Vital Needs in Cancer Care Delivery

MSK’s desire to create and grow the MSK Cancer Alliance was fueled in part by an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report that described the many challenges of delivering high-quality cancer care as a “national crisis.” As advances in cancer science are happening at an ever-increasing rate, there is a realization that the adoption of lifesaving breakthroughs in clinical practice takes enormous resources and often too much time. Unfortunately, this is particularly the case in the community setting, where the majority of cancer care today — more than 80 percent — is being delivered in the United States. Furthermore, the IOM report noted that by 2030, new diagnoses are expected to reach 2.3 million a year as the country’s population ages, and that there are simply not enough oncology specialists to care for patients. Additionally, doctors often experience difficulty keeping up with today’s complex new treatments, resulting in cancer treatment decisions not based on the best and most current evidence available.

“We believe the highest-quality cancer care cannot be achieved by adhering to practice recommendations alone,” said José Baselga, MD, PhD, Physician-in-Chief of MSK. “We must find innovative ways to share knowledge and to integrate cancer care advances into the community setting. This new partnership between MSK Cancer Alliance and Miami Cancer Institute will allow us to do that for patients in South Florida.”

Looking Ahead

Today marks the first phase of the collaboration between Miami Cancer Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. Over the next few months, MSK will collaboratively guide Miami Cancer Institute toward strengthening its patient care and clinical cancer research programs. Teams of physicians and other healthcare providers from both institutions will work diligently side by side for hundreds of hours to ensure that resources, capabilities, and standards of care are in line with the highest and most recent standards of the MSK Cancer Alliance. Once this first phase is complete, Miami Cancer Institute is expected to become an official member of the MSK Cancer Alliance over the next year.

As a member, Miami Cancer Institute will share educational resources with MSK, including opportunities for its physicians to visit MSK’s Manhattan facilities to observe new techniques, and it will begin the process of putting into place the infrastructure necessary to measure outcomes data. Such unprecedented levels of knowledge sharing — multiplying each time a member joins the MSK Cancer Alliance — will foster the rapid application of the latest and most-effective cancer treatments in community settings.

“We are excited to work alongside MSK and the other members of the Alliance to continually advance our understanding of cancer research and treatment,” said Wayne Brackin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Health South Florida. “Miami Cancer Institute is extremely well-positioned to redefine the standards of excellence in cancer care available to our South Florida community and regional neighbors in Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond.”

Sharing a Deep Expertise

While this intensive review period occurs, some Miami Cancer Institute physicians will also have the opportunity to meet with and discuss their more complex cancer cases with MSK physicians, who have experience in treating different forms of cancers and related blood disorders, including cancers that are simply not often seen in a community setting.

“One of MSK’s many strengths is our experts’ deep expertise and specialization in treating more than 130,000 patients each year,” said Dr. Baselga. “This experience means that we have knowledge that typically can take years to become the standard of care elsewhere. We want to close this knowledge gap and partner with Miami Cancer Institute to bring the latest cancer treatments to patients in the Miami community.”

“In forming this partnership, we were attracted by the quality of cancer care provided by Miami Cancer Institute and its ability to attract top-notch faculty from across the country,” said Richard R. Barakat, MD, Deputy Physician-in-Chief, Regional Care Network and MSK Cancer Alliance. “In addition, the spectacular new 395,000-square-foot Miami Cancer Institute facility will enable all cancer care across their organization to be integrated into a single state-of-the-art setting.”

Expanding Access to Clinical Research Trials

Central to the MSK Cancer Alliance is creating a strong foundation and system for the expansion of clinical trials and being able to provide Miami Cancer Institute patients with the opportunity to participate in clinical trials not previously available. Clinical trials are the pathway to new treatment discoveries, and through the MSK Cancer Alliance, cancer patients in the Miami area will have expanded access to leading-edge treatments under development.

Membership in the MSK Cancer Alliance is also a meaningful designation, one that demonstrates a desire on both parties’ behalf to participate in bidirectional learning and that makes education a priority for its communities. As the Alliance continues to grow, educational programs and opportunities for the general public and professional audiences will be made available on-site at Miami Cancer Institute.

“The scientific possibilities of the Alliance are a tremendous complement to the precision care that will be offered by Miami Cancer Institute’s proton therapy center, opening in 2017,” said Minesh Mehta, MD, Deputy Director and Chief of Radiation Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute. “The center is the first and only of its kind in South Florida and one of a few in the United States to offer a sophisticated treatment that targets cancer cells with precise doses of radiation while avoiding healthy tissue — making it particularly effective in treating children with cancer and adult cancers of the brain, liver, and lung.”

About the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance is an initiative designed to collaboratively guide community providers toward state-of-the-art cancer care. Our overarching goal is to improve the lives of cancer patients through dynamic partnership with local care providers. The first Alliance member was Connecticut-based Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute in September 2014, followed by Lehigh Valley Health Network in Pennsylvania. For more information about the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, go to www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/msk-alliance.

About Miami Cancer Institute

Miami Cancer Institute is a world-class clinical center and research destination, offering comprehensive cancer services with expanding clinical trials and state-of-the-art technology, including the first proton therapy treatment in South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital, and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized as one of the 100 best companies to work for in America and as one of the world’s most ethical companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Primary care sports medicine specialist Luis Rodriguez, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians, as part of the Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Rodriguez specializes in non-surgical treatments for acute, overuse and chronic orthopedic problems, with a special interest in concussions in sports, sports cardiology, musculoskeletal ultrasound and fracture care.

Dr. Rodriguez received his medical degree from the Luis Razetti School of Medicine at Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, where he graduated with honors, receiving the Outstanding Performance Award by Subject. He completed an internal medicine internship and residency at Cleveland Clinic Foundation – Florida. In addition, he completed a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at UHS Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, N.Y. Following his training, he worked as an attending physician for Mercy Health Associates in Philadelphia and for UHS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Binghamton, N.Y. He was a clinical assistant professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Binghamton campus, and was the assistant program director for the UHS Wilson Memorial Hospital Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.

“South Florida is home to a very active and athletic population, and the addition of Dr. Rodriguez to our team means that patients with an orthopedic injury that does not require surgery will have quick access to an expert,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group.

He has served as a team physician for the U.S. Ski Team, the Binghamton Senators ice hockey team, and a variety of college, high school and league sports, including baseball, basketball and football.

“Dr. Rodriguez’s experience is a significant advantage for patients in South Florida,” said John Uribe, M.D., Medical Director of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. “We are fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

Dr. Rodriguez has a sports medicine Board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine.

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 seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health 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 as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin, Phone: 786-596-6534

Orthopedic surgeon Lauren Crocco, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians integrated within Baptist Health, as part of the Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Crocco specializes in injuries and disorders of the bones, joints and musculoskeletal system, including fractures and dislocations of the knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, ankle and foot; osteoarthritis; limb abnormalities; and tendon, muscle and ligament problems.

Dr. Crocco received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. She was awarded the American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citation for women who graduate in the top 10 percent of their medical school class. Dr. Crocco completed an internship and residency at Montefiore Medical Center, The University Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she received the Richard Selznick Memorial Award for Resident Research and also was chief resident. In addition, she completed fellowships at Harvard Orthopaedic Trauma Initiative in Boston, and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin in Berlin, Germany.

Before joining Baptist Health, Dr. Crocco was on staff at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Montefiore Medical Center.

“Dr. Crocco is a distinguished student and surgeon who has experience in some of the busiest and most prestigious hospitals in the northeast,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “She is a valuable member of the Baptist Health team and an asset to our community.”

Dr. Crocco is a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Dr. Crocco is an excellent addition to our team,” said John Uribe, M.D., Medical Director of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. “Her experience caring for patients around the world has given her the broad perspective necessary for working with our multicultural community.

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 seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health 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 as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin, Phone: 786-596-6534

Primary care physician Deepa Sharma, D.O., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians, as part of the Baptist Health Primary Care team. She will be seeing patients out of the Coral Gables office, located at 2601 SW 37 Avenue, Suite 506. Dr. Sharma specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, with an interest in women’s health concerns, urgent care and chronic diseases.

Dr. Sharma received her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale. She completed an internship in internal medicine at St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., and a family medicine residency at Overlook Family Practice and Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J., where she was selected as Family Practice Resident OB Coordinator. Following her training, she worked in family medicine practices in New Jersey and later with Hawaii Permanente Medical Group in Maui. She also hosts a radio show on health-related topics that airs on Sirius XM. “

Dr. Sharma has worked with very diverse communities, from rural populations with few resources to busy medical practices,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “In addition, she has been involved with the implementation of technology and electronic medical records that lead to improved patient care and communication.”

Dr. Sharma is Board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She has been active in a number of community service programs, volunteering to complete school sports physicals and present health education sessions and health screenings to the public.

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 seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health 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 as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact:Georgi Pipkin, 786-596-6534