Miami, FL – January 17, 2018 — Baptist Children’s Hospital has been accepted for membership into the Children’s Hospital Association — the voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide. As champions for children’s health, the Association advances public policy enabling hospitals to better serve children and builds awareness of child health issues. It is the premier resource for pediatric data and analytics driving improved clinical and operational performance among its member hospitals.

“Participation in the Children’s Hospital Association offers us access to a network of institutions and people who understand the unique health care needs of children,” said Nancy Huertas Savino, Assistant Vice President of Nursing Baptist Children Hospital, OB, and Women’s Services. “We look forward to collaborating with our peers and the children’s hospital industry and adding our voice to advocate on behalf of all children.”

Baptist Children’s Hospital brings together all healthcare services for children from birth to age 18. More than 200 pediatricians including pediatric subspecialists, backed by pediatric-trained nurses and support personnel, offer their expertise in nearly every field. Among the services are a 24-hour Children’s Emergency Center with child-sized equipment; intensive care units for newborns and youngsters; pediatric orthopedics, cancer, cystic fibrosis and heart disease.

“We are pleased to welcome Baptist Children’s Hospital and look forward to its active involvement,” said Mark Wietecha, Children’s Hospital Association president and CEO. “Our hospital members are the backbone of the nation’s pediatric health care infrastructure. With them, we are committed to providing the highest quality care and developing innovative solutions to impact the future of children’s health and health care.”

Children’s hospitals represent five percent of all hospitals and provide a disproportionately large share of the nation’s pediatric acute clinical care. Children’s hospitals are also vital centers of primary and specialty pediatric medical education and are leaders in pediatric research.

About Baptist Children’s Hospital
Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with ten hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has approximately 18,500 employees and more than 3,000 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About the Children’s Hospital Association
The Children’s Hospital Association is the national voice of more than 220 children’s hospitals, advancing child health through innovation in the quality, cost and delivery of care.

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National three-year award with gold, silver, bronze designations marks a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and achieving a healthy work environment

Miami, FL – February 28, 2017 – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Aliso Viejo, Calif., recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the George Batchelor and Gloria Vasta Lewis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Baptist Children’s Hospital.

The Beacon Award for Excellence is a distinct accomplishment on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments. It recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“We are proud of our doctors, nurses and dedicated staff for accomplishing this significant milestone,” said Becky Montesino-King, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Baptist Hospital of Miami and Baptist Children’s Hospital. “Their level of dedication to our smallest and most vulnerable patients and their families shows the compassionate and quality care given daily.”

The NICU at Baptist Children’s Hospital earned a gold award by meeting the following evidence-based Beacon Award for Excellence criteria:
• Leadership Structures and Systems
• Appropriate Staffing and Staff Engagement
• Effective Communication, Knowledge Management, Learning and Development
• Evidence-Based Practice and Processes
• Outcome Measurement

AACN President Clareen Wiencek, RN, PhD, ACNP, ACHPN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at the NICU at Baptist Children’s Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of the exceptional community of nurses who set the standard for optimal patient care. “The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explains.

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 2,400 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 Beacon Award for Excellence
Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence offers a road map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. U.S. or Canadian units where patients receive their principal nursing care after hospital admission qualify for this excellence award. Units that receive the Beacon Award for Excellence meet criteria in six categories: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development; evidence-based practice and processes; and outcome measurement. To learn more, visit www.aacn.org/beacon or call (800) 899-2226.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. To learn more about AACN, visit www.aacn.org, connect with the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aacnface or follow AACN on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aacnme.

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MIAMI, FL – November 10, 2016 — Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida has expanded two of its signature cancer care departments, with the additions of psychosomatic psychiatrist Geetha Nampiaparampil, M.D. and psychologist Regina Melchor, Psy.D to its Cancer Patient Support Center. These physicians will focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders that contribute to a cancer patient’s emotional distress. The two will work closely with M. Beatriz Currier, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute’s director of Cancer Patient Support Center, to enhance quality of life and health outcomes following a cancer diagnosis.

In addition, Miami Cancer Institute’s Symptom Management & Palliative Medicine Service continues to expand with the added expertise of Suleyki Medina, M.D., who joins Mariana Khawand-Azouli, M.D, as one of the department’s two initial attending physicians.

“Having representatives of many different disciplines involved in patient care is an important part of the Institute’s mission to treat the whole individual, not just the disease,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “These physicians bring highly specialized skills and experience that will enable Miami Cancer Institute to deliver personalized, patient- and family-centered care from diagnosis through survivorship.”

Dr. Nampiaparampil is Board-certified in psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. She received her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and completed her psychiatry residency at Saint Vincent’s Hospital-Manhattan/New York Medical College and St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital/Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, both in New York. She also completed a psychosomatic medicine fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center/New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has conducted research studies related to her specialty and is published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and text books. Prior to joining Miami Cancer Institute, Dr. Nampiaparampil was an assistant professor of psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, an attending psychiatrist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, and most recently an attending psychiatrist at JFK Medical Center in Palm Beach, Florida.

Regina Melchor, Psy.D., earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology from Albizu University in Miami, graduating summa cum laude. She completed a psychology residency at the Institute for Child and Family Health, also in Miami, and a fellowship in psychosomatic medicine and psycho-oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She is an adjunct faculty member in the psychology departments at Albizu University and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, and has held teaching roles at several higher education institutions. She has published numerous articles in medical journals and frequently lectures on her specialty to peers and community members. She is also affiliated with several professional associations, including the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the International Psychosocial Oncology Society.

Dr. Medina is Board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics and is one of two initial attending physicians of Miami Cancer Institute’s Symptom Management & Palliative Medicine service. She received her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and completed a residency in internal medicine at NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she was honored with the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Award for Excellence. She also completed two fellowships — in geriatrics and hospice and palliative care — at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Medina is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Medina and Dr. Khawand-Azouli will both report directly to Leonard Kalman, M.D., Miami Cancer Institute’s deputy director and chief medical officer.

Miami Cancer Institute will begin to move into its new, $430 million state-of-the-art facility on the Baptist Hospital of Miami campus early next year. Opening day for patient care is planned for January 16, 2017.

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 ultimately enable cancer patients to access 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 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 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.

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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

MIAMI, FL– 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 14th year, Baptist Children’s Hospital will donate 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 30, at Baptist Children’s Hospital. The surgeries will take place on Saturday, June 13.

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 30. To make an appointment for the financial screening, call Baptist Children’s Hospital at 786-596-3673 or email [email protected].

About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida. Baptist Health 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) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health is listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#23 in the nation) and has remained on the list for 15 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute.

Contact: Damaris Zabala, 786-596-6534

Changing lives one smile at a time. Seven South Florida children and teens were selected to receive the gift of a happy smile during Baptist Children’s Hospital’s Day of Smiles on June 21. Doctors from various specialties, along with nurses, technologists and other staff donated their time and expertise to provide free corrective facial surgeries to children whose families could not otherwise afford the procedures.

Before the sun was up, the hospital was alive with excitement and anticipation as the young patients and their families arrived.  By morning’s end, doctors had repaired cleft lips and palates, performed nose and scar revisions and completed ear reconstructions.

“It only takes a little bit of our time, but it impacts these children and their families for a lifetime,” said Joel Levin, M.D., chief of plastic surgery. “I really enjoy being part of this day.” In addition to Dr. Levin, other doctors who donated their services were John Cassel, M.D., Josh Lampert, M.D., Johnny Franco, M.D., Jhonny Salomon, M.D., Victor Gonzalez, M.D., Alfredo Fernandez, M.D., and Matthew J. Kaczmarski, M.D. More than 30 other healthcare providers also volunteered that day.

(Photo: Maria DeAragon, R.N., and Ta’niya Times, 7, playfully interact before her surgery.)

This is the 13th year the hospital has donated its facilities and performed free operations for children in need. “Baptist Children’s Hospital is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care for children and families in our community,” said Randall Lee, chief operating officer of Baptist Children’s Hospital. “Touching a child’s life in this way brings tremendous satisfaction to everyone involved, and we are proud to provide this special day.”

To be eligible for Day of Smiles, patients must meet certain surgical and financial guidelines. Participants must be 18 years of age or younger and residents of Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe County. For more information about financial guidelines for Day of Smiles 2015, please call Pastoral Care at 786-596-6577.

Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in South Florida. It also includes Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Baptist Outpatient Services.

Contact: Damaris Zabala; 786-596-6534

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 13th year, Baptist Children’s Hospital will donate 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 31, at Baptist Children’s Hospital. The surgeries will take place on Saturday, June 21.

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 also 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 31. To make an appointment for the financial screening, call Baptist Children’s Hospital at 786-596-3673.

Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. Baptist Health includes Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Contact: Damaris Zabala, 786-596-6534, [email protected]