Orthopedic surgeon Lionel E. Lazaro, M.D., joins Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute

Dr. Lazaro HeadshotMIAMI – November 7, 2019 – Orthopedic surgeon and researcher Lionel E. Lazaro, 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. Lazaro specializes in sports medicine, hip preservation, hip arthroscopy and articular cartilage restoration. His clinical practice focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving the musculoskeletal system (bone, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons). He utilizes advanced non-surgical and surgical techniques to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, including sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, degenerative diseases and congenital disorders.

Dr. Lazaro earned his medical degree at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara School of Medicine in Jalisco, Mexico and New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.  He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. His post-doctoral training includes a fellowship in orthopedic surgery research at the Hospital for Special Surgery and a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (Cedar-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute) in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Lazaro is actively involved on clinical- and laboratory-based research projects that aim to improve the understanding of the vascular contribution to bone and soft tissue using quantitative-MRI and anatomical dissection. He has a keen interest in minimizing surgically induced trauma and optimizing preservation of vascular anatomy. His interest in bone vascularity and the associated iatrogenic surgical vascular insult have extended to investigations of vascular impacts not only from surgical approaches but also traumatic injuries and minimally invasive surgical interventions. He serves as an editorial reviewer for major orthopedic journals. He is widely published in his field, authoring more than 45 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 7 book chapters. He has been invited speaker at national and international academic symposiums. Dr. Lazaro has extensive experience providing medical coverage for high school and college sports teams as well as athletes in the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

“With an increasingly active community, there is a great demand for orthopedic care in our region. Our patients will benefit from Dr. Lazaro’s impressive surgical skills, innovative care and extensive research experience,” said John Uribe, M.D., Chief Medical Executive of Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Lazaro bring his vast talents to Baptist Health Medical Group, and we welcome him to our outstanding team of multidisciplinary specialists,” added Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., chief executive officer of Baptist Health Medical Group.

Dr. Lazaro is affiliated with Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital. He will see patients at two office locations: 1150 Campo Sano Avenue in Coral Gables and 15955 SW 96 Street, Suite 401, in Miami.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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Baptist Health Medical Group expands its primary care team with addition of internal medicine physician Aldo Ribeiros Jr., M.D.

Dr. Ribeiros HeadshotMIAMI – November 5, 2019 — Baptist Health Medical Group, a network of primary care doctors and specialists who provide high-quality medical care to patients of all ages, has added internal medicine physician Aldo Ribeiros Jr., M.D., to its Baptist Health Primary Care team. He specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum – from health to complex illness. He has expertise in numerous specialty areas, including rheumatology, infectious diseases, nephrology, cardiovascular disease, endocrinology, neurology, dermatology, gastroenterology, non-operative orthopedics, palliative medicine, sleep medicine, geriatrics and rehabilitation medicine, making him uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive care.  He also focuses on wellness and prevention strategies to help patients avoid disease, decrease disability and maintain good health.

Dr. Ribeiros earned his medical degree from Escuela Autonoma de Ciencias Medicas de Centro America in San José, Costa Rica and completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla.

“We are proud to welcome Dr. Ribeiros to our team of highly skilled primary care providers,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “Our patients will benefit from his training and skill in various disciplines as well as his personalized approach to care.”

Dr. Ribeiros is affiliated with Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital and will see patients at 6280 SW 72 Street, Suite 410, in Miami.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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Baptist Health Medical Group adds family medicine physician Sophia Malary Carter, M.D., to its primary care team

Dr. Malary Carter HeadshotMIAMI – October 29, 2019 — Family medicine physician Sophia Malary Carter, 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 Baptist Health Primary Care. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including simple and complex health conditions, chronic disease management, minor emergencies, urgent care and the coordination of specialty care. She also focuses on wellness and prevention to help patients avoid disease, decrease disability and maintain good health.

Dr. Malary Carter will see patients at Baptist Health Primary Care Family Medicine Center, located on the West Kendall Baptist Hospital campus at 15955 SW 96 Street, Suite 200, in Miami. Patients visiting the center experience minimal wait times, same-day appointments and easy access to lab services, annual check-ups, flu shots and other vaccines.

Dr. Malary Carter is a board certified family medicine physician. She completed medical school at the University of Rochester where she developed a passion for providing care to the medically underserved and graduated with a distinction in community service. She completed her residency training at the University of New Mexico where her focus centered around her efforts in teaching (earning an award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine). In addition, she was a resident director at a non-profit community health clinic that served the Albuquerque community. Her clinical practice ranges from pediatrics to geriatrics, and everything in between. Dr. Malary Carter is a Miami, Florida native and of Haitian descent. She is fluent in French and Creole, and conversational in Spanish.

“Our community continues to grow and so does the need for family medicine physicians who focus on preventive medicine and treating the whole person,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “We are pleased that Dr. Malary Carter is bringing her expertise to our community and our medical practice. Her presence here gives more patients the ability to establish a much-needed, ongoing, personalized relationship with a family medicine physician.”

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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Computed Tomography (CT) scan used for the first time in Florida to measure the effect of saltwater intrusion in the Florida Everglades

Tavernier, FL – October 25, 2019 – Mariners Hospital welcomed a team of experts from the South Florida Natural Resources Center to perform a Computed Tomography (CT) scan on 16 soil samples to measure saltwater intrusion in the Florida Everglades. “This is the first time this technology has been used this way in the state,” said JC Holmes, Imaging Services director at Mariners Hospital. “We are thrilled to partner with South Florida Natural Resources Center and contribute with world-class imaging technology to enhance their ability to obtain the most accurate findings for the study.”

The use of imaging technology saves time and reduces error. Over the last three years, the Center has manipulated plots with various amount of saltwater to destruct the natural flow. The method was developed by Troy Hill, Ph.D. for South Florida Natural Resources Center and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Rhode Island and is now being used to study the effect of saltwater intrusion to the freshwater marshes in the Everglades.

“This first scan was a proof of concept to see how well it worked. The continued interest lays in finding the peak collapse and the amount of time the marsh has with this salt intrusion, along with what leads to a marsh collapse,” added Dr. Hill. “The work being done here adds urgency to the efforts to restore freshwater flow to the Everglades and the Florida Bay.”

About Mariners Hospital
Mariners Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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PHOTOS/CAPTIONS:

Samples being extracted from various plots in the Everglades

Samples being extracted from various plots in the Everglades

Samples going through the Computed Tomography for a detailed study

Samples going through the Computed Tomography for a detailed study

 

 




Baptist Health veteran Nelson Lazo named CEO of Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West in Palm Beach County

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Oct. 25, 2019 – Nelson Lazo, a veteran chief executive at Baptist Health South Florida, has been named CEO of Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West in Palm Beach County. The hospitals merged with Baptist Health in 2017.

“Bethesda Board Chair Jeffrey Pheterson and I are very pleased to announce that Nelson Lazo has been selected as the CEO of Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West,” said Bo Boulenger, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Baptist Health South Florida.

Pheterson stated: “We are delighted that Nelson is joining our team in Palm Beach County. He has moved from success to success throughout Baptist Health, recently opening the state-of-the-art Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center. Nelson is uniquely positioned to build on our successes with robust Centers of Excellence in Palm Beach County and guide Bethesda into the future of healthcare.”

At Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West, located in Boynton Beach, Fla. Lazo will succeed Roger Kirk, who will retire as CEO in December. Lazo will oversee the continued integration of the hospitals with Baptist Health, as well as expansion of services to support growth in Palm Beach County. Bethesda Hospital East was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the best regional hospitals. Expansion plans are underway at Bethesda Hospital West for an ambulatory surgery center, additional beds and more operating rooms to better serve the growing community.

Lazo has a combined 12-year history with Baptist Health, most recently as CEO at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables for nine years. Under Lazo’s leadership, Doctors Hospital became home to the renowned Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. The Institute recently opened the Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center in partnership with the professional basketball team, the first partnership of its kind for an NBA team. With a staff of leading physicians, the Institute is the official sports medicine provider for the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Florida International University, Miami Open tennis tournament, the Orange Bowl, and the Miami Marathon.

Previously, Lazo enjoyed being a resident of the Upper Keys when he was CEO of Mariners Hospital. While there, he was active with the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce board. Before joining Baptist Health, he served in executive roles for healthcare organizations, including HealthSouth Corporation, Parkway Regional Medical Center and Mercy Hospital.

A deeply committed community leader, Lazo presently serves as the board chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board and the Orange Bowl Committee. He served as past chair for the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and past co-chairman of the Beacon Council’s “One Community One Goal” initiative. As a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Lazo was a board chair for the affiliated Health Council of South Florida. Among the many honors Nelson received for professional and civic leadership, in 2015, Barry University recognized him with a Distinguished Alumni Award for his achievements, contributions to the community and support of the university.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.




Mariners Hospital hosts A Day In The Life Of A Nurse™ for high school students

Tavernier, FL – October 23, 2019 – Paul Hann, R.N., Jaimie Eaves, R.N., and Beth Dunlap, R.N., from Mariners Hospital, spent the day with 15 students from Coral Shores High School. During an event called A Day in the Life of a Nurse™, the students toured several departments in the hospital including the Hyperbaric Chamber.

Scott Fowler, manager of the Hyperbaric Chamber, explained to the students that the chamber can treat up to 13 approved conditions, including wound healing, treatment of infections and carbon monoxide poisoning.

“I learned so much about the services offered at this facility. There are far more than I expected,” said Alexander Stenberg, a junior at the school.

“The best part about this day is that I am able to introduce all the different aspects of nursing and healthcare to the students,” said Paul Hann, R.N., Operating Room nurse at the hospital.

“Most of my family is in healthcare, so I have had a lot of inspiration for what I wanted to do in my career. However, I never thought I would be interested in trauma; I was really interested in what the flight nurse does,” added Deanna Messa-Green, a senior at the school.

Baptist Health South Florida has taken part in A Day in the Life of a Nurse™ for several years.

About Mariners Hospital
Mariners Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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PHOTOS/CAPTIONS:

15 students are shown the Operating Room at Mariners Hospital

Students are introduced to the Hyperbaric Chamber by Scott Fowler, Manager of Hyperbaric Medicine at Mariners Hospital

Students are shown Trauma Star Helicopter and given information about trauma nurses

 




Baptist Health Medical Group welcomes bariatric surgeon Marlon Pastrana, M.D.

Marlon Pastrana, M.D., head shotMIAMI – October 21, 2019 — Bariatric surgeon Marlon Pastrana, 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. Dr. Pastrana specializes in weight-loss surgery that can reduce a patient’s risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He performs such procedures as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. He has unique training and expertise in minimally invasive techniques that result in reduced pain and faster recovery times for patients.

Dr. Pastrana earned his medical degree at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, Netherlands Antilles. He completed two general surgery residencies at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, both in Philadelphia, Pa. He also is fellowship trained in bariatric surgery, completing this comprehensive training at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown, Pa. Dr. Pastrana is a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pastrana to Baptist Health Medical Group,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “He brings extensive experience and expertise in the field of bariatric and general surgery and has a drive and passion for helping patients live happier, healthier lives.”

Dr. Pastrana is affiliated with Baptist Hospital and South Miami Hospital and will see patients at three Miami locations: 8950 North Kendall Drive, Suite 601W; 6200 SW 72 Street, Suite 502; and 7800 SW 87 Avenue.

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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Fishermen’s Community Hospital hosts A Day in the Life of a Nurse™ for high school students

CPR

Camryn Woodall, Kayleigh Brown Practicing on a CPR manikin

Marathon, FL – October 18, 2019 – Natalie Matyas, R.N., who has been a nurse at Fishermen’s Community Hospital for five years, spent the day with students from Marathon High School. This was her first time taking part in a Day in the Life of a Nurse™. The group toured the hospital and spent time with nurses and health professionals.

“I didn’t know there were so many different departments and nurses at the hospital,” said Kaleigh Brown, a senior at the school.

When asked if meeting the nurses in different departments helped them see what kind of nurse they would like to be, Camryn Woodall, a junior, said: “It helped me become more confident in my decision to become an Emergency Room nurse. I want to help people.”

Baptist Health South Florida has taken part in a Day in the Life of a Nurse™ for several years.

About Fishermen’s Community Hospital
Fishermen’s Community Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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First in South Florida: New ‘WEB’ device heals brain aneurysms

WEB DeviceMIAMI – October 17, 2019 – Experts at Baptist Health Neuroscience Center and Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute are the first in South Florida to repair brain aneurysms in a minimally invasive manner using an all-new technology.

WEB, short for Woven EndoBridge, is a self-expanding mesh ball made of nickel titanium that is implanted within aneurysms located in the arteries of the brain.

For patients with potentially dangerous aneurysms, it is also a new life-saving device approved just months ago by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Interventional neuroradiologist Guilherme Dabus, M.D., with Baptist Health Neuroscience Center, performed the first minimally invasive surgery in South Florida using the WEB on a woman in her 70s who is recovering well.

In the recent past, experts have avoided cutting the skull open in brain aneurysm repairs with the help of another device, the flow diverter. Before the flow diverter was approved, more commonly used balloons, stents and platinum coils induced clotting (embolization), and hopefully prevented blood from continuing to grow the bulge- or balloon-like aneurysms.

Now, the WEB device offers many advantages for the patient, including a shorter recovery time, less or no dependence on blood-thinning drugs and potentially fewer complications during a procedure that runs just an hour or less, says Dr. Dabus. Procedures involving coiling and the flow diverter can be more complicated, can take much longer and require the patient to stay on antiplatelet therapy for the rest of their lives.

“The WEB basically redirects the blood flow away from the aneurysm,” says Dr. Dabus. “At the same time, it closes the aneurysm from the inside. And it potentially also serves as a scaffold for tissue healing at the neck of the aneurysm.”

About Baptist Health Neuroscience Center
Baptist Health Neuroscience Center offers comprehensive and compassionate treatment for neurological conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. From non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive procedures to complex brain and spine surgery, the Center embraces a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Baptist Health Neuroscience Center is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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New Radiation Oncology Specialists Clinic at The Cancer Centre Bahamas in collaboration with Miami Cancer Institute

MIAMI – October 15, 2019 – Baptist Health International and Miami Cancer Institute, a part of Baptist Heath South Florida, have collaborated with The Cancer Centre Bahamas to establish a Radiation Oncology Specialists Clinic in Nassau.

The inaugural Clinic will take place Monday, October 21, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Cancer Centre Bahamas, located in the Medical Pavilion Bahamas at 72-74 Collins Avenue. Leading the ceremony will be Minesh Mehta, M.D., FASTRO, a world-renowned expert in radiation oncology, proton therapy and cancer research, who serves as deputy director and chief of radiation oncology at Miami Cancer Institute.

Dr. Mehta will be accompanied by Jessika Contreras, M.D., a radiation oncology specialist at Miami Cancer Institute, and Osama Kellini, M.D., medical director at The Cancer Centre Bahamas. Patients will be seen by all three radiation oncology specialists during their clinic appointment.

“We look forward to accepting referrals of any oncology patient who may benefit from this unique opportunity to have their case reviewed by radiation oncology experts from Miami Cancer Institute  right here in their hometown of Nassau,” said Conville S. Brown, M.D., president and chief executive officer of The Cancer Centre Bahamas.

The Radiation Oncology Specialists Clinic will facilitate consultations for any patients requiring or benefiting from the latest technology platforms, including TrueBeam, CyberKnife M6, Radixact and Gamma Knife Icon, and Viewray MRIdian Linac as well as Proton Beam Therapy, the most advanced form of pencil beam scanning technology, available at Miami Cancer Institute – the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Miami Cancer Institute has built a multidisciplinary radiation oncology department, comprising of world-renowned experts and state-of-the-art technology,” said Dr. Mehta. The Institute features a robust roster of nationally and internationally recognized physicians and scientists who collectively have over 25 years of proton therapy experience. “Access to these resources will help patients and doctors in the Bahamas make better-informed decisions regarding their medical care in the fight against cancer,” said Dr. Mehta.

The new Radiation Oncology Specialists Clinic will be held every three to six weeks and will feature radiation oncologists from Miami Cancer Institute specializing in the treatment of prostate, breast, gynecological, gastrointestinal and head and neck cancers. Other Miami Cancer Institute physicians who will be on rotation include Michael Chuong, M.D., Marcio Fagundes, M.D., Noah Kalman, M.D., and Joseph Panoff, M.D.

To schedule an appointment or for more information on how to begin the case evaluation process, please contact The Cancer Centre Bahamas at 242-502-9610.

About Miami Cancer Institute
Miami Cancer Institute brings to South Florida access to personalized clinical treatments and comprehensive support services delivered with unparalleled compassion. No other cancer program in the region has the combination of cancer-fighting expertise and advanced technology—including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the only radiation oncology program in the world with each of the newest radiation therapies in one place—to diagnose and deliver precise cancer treatments that achieve the best outcomes and improve the lives of cancer patients. The Institute offers an impressive roster of established community oncologists and renowned experts, clinical researchers and genomic scientists recruited from the nation’s top cancer centers. Selected as Florida’s only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer (MSK) Alliance, Miami Cancer Institute is part of a meaningful clinical collaboration that affords patients in South Florida access to innovative treatments and ensures that the standards of care developed by their multidisciplinary disease management teams match those at MSK.

Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

About Baptist Health International
Baptist Health International is one of the largest hospital-based international programs in the United States, with more than 12,000 international patient visits at Baptist Health South Florida facilities from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach County. Baptist Health International is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality services for international physicians and their patients, including hospital admissions, outpatient medical exams, medical second opinions and physician consultations, as well as concierge services.

About The Cancer Centre Bahamas
The Cancer Centre Bahamas is among the leading comprehensive cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment centres in the English-speaking Caribbean. The centre is the only one of its kind in this hemisphere and now the only accredited American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) Centre outside the United States and North America. It is the only one to house the entire medical, pediatric, surgical and radiation oncology staff under one roof with all supporting areas and state-of-the-art equipment. Located within The Medical Pavilion Bahamas, The Cancer Centre Bahamas is a private, non-government facility, which enables it to move speedily to adapt to new technology, equipment and personnel, thereby keeping it on the leading and cutting edge of cancer care. Housed in a new $12 million facility, with a brand-new Medical Oncology Division and its own Chemotherapy Infusion Centre which functions as a Day-Hospital

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Media Contact:

Joeli Prieto
Baptist Health International
786-467-5460
[email protected]