MIAMI, FL – December 21, 2016 – Baptist Health Primary Care has received the highest level of Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Criteria for Level 3 recognition includes the use of evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships. Baptist Health Primary Care locations recognized include the Family Medicine Center at West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Primary Care offices at Baptist Hospital, Kendall Town & Country, Kendall Breeze and Galloway. Other locations are applying for recognition.

A network of primary care doctors and specialists who provide high quality medical care to all ages, Baptist Health Medical Group practices focus on wellness and prevention, and care for patients with a wide range of health issues, from heart disease and asthma to diabetes and pneumonia. They also provide behavioral health services and coordinate treatment with necessary specialists. In addition, offices offer extended and weekend hours, minimal wait times and same-day or next-day appointments with an available physician or advanced practitioner. Patients may renew prescriptions, get test results and communicate with their care team online.

“It’s an honor to receive Level 3 recognition,” said Myriam Ampuero-Martinez, MPA, Assistant Vice President of Baptist Health Medical Group. “Our practices become a medical home for our patients with an emphasis on developing a long-term relationship. The better you know someone, the more you can be their advocate. Level 3 recognition proves our commitment to personal, enhanced, high-quality care. The end result is a better patient experience and improved patient outcomes.”

Practices that receive Level 3 recognition meet high-quality standards for care and demonstrate the use of teamwork and health information technology so that communication among caregivers and between physicians and patients is seamless, according to the NCQA. In addition, they are prepared for the coming change in payment systems, as healthcare reform drives the industry from a volume- to value-based payment model.

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.

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MIAMI, FL – November 8, 2016 — Primary care physician Barbara Socha, M.D., FACP, has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians, as part of the Baptist Health Primary Care team. She will see patients in the Tavernier office, located at 91550 Overseas Highway, Suite 215. Dr. Socha is one of only a few primary physicians servicing patients in the Florida Keys. She will focus on wellness and prevention and provide the community with much-needed continuity of care — the foundation of the patient-doctor relationship and a fundamental characteristic of high-quality medical care.

She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including simple and complex health conditions, chronic disease management and the coordination of specialty care. She also focuses on wellness and prevention to help patients prevent disease, decrease disability and maintain good health.

Dr. Socha earned her medical degree at Akademia Medyczna we Wroclawiu, in Wroclaw, Poland. She completed a residency in in internal medicine at Saint Agnes Hospital, in Baltimore, where she served as chief resident. She is Board-certified in internal medicine, and fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Prior to joining Baptist Health Medical Group, Dr. Socha was a primary care physician at Atlantic General Health System in Ocean View, Delaware, and served as a volunteer clinical instructor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Socha has been a participating contributor to numerous clinical trials in the area of cardiovascular disease.

“Primary care physicians, like Dr. Socha, are the backbone of healthcare because they have the most consistent contact with patients,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “Patients in the Florida Keys have not had easy access to primary care and our goal along with Mariners Hospital clinical partners is to be part of the solution. We are proud to have Dr. Socha providing the Tavernier community with continuity of care, which is critical to achieving the best health outcomes.”

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 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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MIAMI, FL – September 19, 2016 – Primary care physician Juliet Vento, M.D., 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 Kendall Town & Country office, located at 11535 SW 88 Street. Dr. Vento specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of primary care issues, including the management of chronic diseases such as and diabetes and hypertension.

Dr. Vento earned an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Florida International University in Miami, before receiving her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, where she received the Intern of the Year award in 2014. Before attending medical school, she worked as a research technologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, developing and carrying out experimental protocols in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance animal studies.

“Dr. Vento is familiar with South Florida and the healthcare needs of our patients,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “She is a great addition to our primary care team.”

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.

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MIAMI, FL – September 12, 2016 – Primary care physician Jennifer Young, M.D., 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 Baptist Hospital office, located at 8940 North Kendall Drive, Suite 901E. Dr. Young is Board-certified in internal medicine and specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues.

After earning an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Dr. Young received her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She completed an internship and residency at Stanford University Hospitals and Clinics in Palo Alto, California.

Before joining Baptist Health, Dr. Young was a Stanford University School of Medicine clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford Primary Care Portola Valley in Portola Valley, California. She also served as a staff physician with One Medical Group, a boutique primary care office in San Francisco, California.

“Dr. Young brings commitment and experience as a primary care physician,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group. “She will be an important advocate for our multicultural patients and an excellent addition to our team.”

Dr. Young is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Women’s Association.

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.

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Baptist Health Primary Care has expanded with a new office in Cutler Bay, located at 19225 SW 87 Avenue, in the East Ridge community. This new location is open to all Cutler Bay residents, along with East Ridge residents. The Cutler Bay community is now able to make an appointment with primary care physician Rozan Razzouk, M.D. in this convenient new location, for all their healthcare needs.

Each Baptist Health Primary Care office is focused on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including chronic disease management for diabetes, heart disease and hypertension; simple and complex health matters; minor emergencies; geriatric care; weight loss; health-risk assessments; and healthy lifestyle choices.

Baptist Health Primary Care makes healthcare convenient, with extended hours, minimal wait times and same-day or next-day appointments with an available physician or advanced practitioner. Patients can renew prescriptions, get test results and communicate with their care team online. And with an on-site lab, dietitian and licensed clinical social worker, it’s easy to take care of all primary care services in one visit.

“We are very excited with our recent partnership with East Ridge and bringing another location of exceptional primary care to the Cutler Bay community,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group.

To find a location near you and make an appointment with a primary care physician, please call 786-596-2464 or visit BaptistHealth.net/PrimaryCare.

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

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

Primary care physician Rozan Razzouk, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians, as part of the Baptist Health Primary Care team in the new South Miami office, located at 6280 SW 72 Street, Suite 410, South Miami, Florida 33143. Dr. Razzouk specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including chronic disease management for diabetes, bronchitis, sinusitis, COPD, migraines, reflux and other health concerns; simple and complex health matters; minor emergencies; women’s health issues; health-risk assessments; and healthy lifestyle choices.

Dr. Razzouk received her medical degree from the Damascus University Medical School, Damascus, Syria, where she was named Medical Student of the Year. She completed a residency in anesthesia at Harasta Medical Center in Damascus, and a residency in family practice at the University of Arkansas-Sparks Medical Center, AHEC-West, in Fort Smith, Ark., where she also received academic honors and Resident of the Month awards. She is Board-certified in family medicine.

“Dr. Razzouk has cared for patients in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings and is comfortable working in a multi-cultural environment. She is a wonderful addition to the Primary Care team,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group.

Baptist Health Medical Group 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) 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 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. For more information on Baptist Health Primary Care, go to BaptistHealth.net/PrimaryCare.

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

Primary Care physician Agueda Hernandez, M.D., medical director of the Baptist Health Primary Care Family Medicine Center and director of the Family Residency program at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, has received the 2015 FAFP Exemplary Full-Time Educator Award from The Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP).

This prestigious award was created to recognize outstanding family physicians for their dedication, expertise and ability to provide the highest quality instruction to physicians in all phases of their medical training and practice in a full-time capacity. This recognition is particularly important in Florida due to the shortage of Primary Care physicians and the lack of residency opportunities available to a younger generation. Dr. Hernandez’s comprehensive skills in health care have contributed to excellence in the provision of high quality care and demonstrated that family physicians can have an impact on improving the overall health of the nation.

“Dr. Hernandez continues to exemplify those leadership abilities that make our doctors unique at Baptist Health Primary Care,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., chief executive officer of Baptist Health Medical Group. “Under her leadership, the Family Residency program has received well over 1,700 applications for just 4 resident positions. This award symbolizes her continued dedication to mentoring young physicians who will make lasting contributions at Baptist Health and in the South Florida community.”

The Florida Academy of Family Physicians (FAFP) is composed of more than 4,800 family medicine physicians, resident physicians, and medical students from across the state. The FAFP works to advance the specialty of family medicine by promoting excellence and improvement in the healthcare of all Floridians. Their priority is to help members become the best family physicians they can be through effective communication, legislation/regulation, education, advocacy, research and motivation. The FAFP also acts as the active voice for family medicine, advocating key issues among patients, the medical community, legislators and regulators, third-party payers, and the general public. The FAFP continually works to communicate, recognize and celebrate the issues of family medicine, while helping all Floridians to understand that having a family physician is vital to their health. For more information, visit www.fafp.org.

About 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 was listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the third year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information on Baptist Health Primary Care, go to BaptistHealth.net/PrimaryCare.

CONTACT: Sahyli Hartney; PHONE: 786-596-6534

Primary care physician Jose Soza, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group, an organization of more than 180 physicians, as part of the Baptist Health Primary Care team. Dr. Soza specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health issues, including chronic disease management for diabetes, bronchitis, sinusitis, migraines, reflux and other health concerns; simple and complex health matters; minor emergencies; geriatric care; weight loss; health-risk assessments; and healthy lifestyle choices.

Dr. Soza received his medical degree from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Leon, Nicaragua, and completed a residency in the Saint Mary and Saint Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program in Chicago. Before joining Baptist Health, he was a primary care physician in pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric medicine, in Kissimmee, Fla. He is Board-certified in family medicine and speaks English and Spanish.

“Dr. Soza’s experience with patients who range in age from children to adults well into their senior years makes him a wonderful addition to the Primary Care team,” said Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO of Baptist Health Medical Group.

Baptist Health Medical Group 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) 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 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. For more information on Baptist Health Primary Care, go to http://BaptistHealth.net/PrimaryCare.

Contact: Alicia Vigil; 786-596-6534