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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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

Five Baptist Health Hospitals Receive “A” Grades on Leapfrog Group’s Most Recent Hospital Safety Score; Three Baptist Health Hospitals Receive “Straight A’s” for Consistent Performance

All eligible hospitals operated by Baptist Health South Florida have been recognized by a healthcare industry watchdog group for their dedication to patient safety. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital each received an “A” grade in the Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. As a critical-access hospital, Mariners Hospital, which is also operated by Baptist Health, is not eligible to participate in the survey.

Baptist Health is one of the few healthcare systems in the country to have multiple hospitals earn consistent Straight A’s for eight report cards in a row. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital and Homestead Hospital have earned Straight A’s since the spring of 2012, the first time these ratings were released. Only approximately five percent of graded hospitals nationwide have consistently maintained an “A.”

Thinh Tran, M.D., MBA, corporate vice president and chief medical and quality officer for Baptist Health South Florida, says these scores are a validation of the Baptist Health team’s commitment to patient safety. “It is part of the culture at Baptist Health South Florida to provide the safest care and best outcomes for our patients and that is reflected in these grades,” he said. “It really is a celebration and recognition for our doctors, nurses, staff and the entire health care team. I am very proud of our teams across the system.”

Launched in 2012, the Hospital Safety Score assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. For more information about the Hospital Safety Score or to view the list of state rankings, please visit www.hospitalsafetyscore.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 (#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.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

 

Georgi Morales Pipkin, Baptist Health South Florida (786) 596-6534; [email protected]

Free Flu Shots, Screenings and More at Doctors Hospital Senior Health Fair

Education, medical screenings and the mind-body connection are all part of staying healthy. Doctors Hospital and the City of Coral Gables Adult Activity Center are hosting a free Senior Health Fair Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the War Memorial Youth Center, 405 University Drive, in Coral Gables. This is the sixth year the hospital has partnered with the city to offer the community event.

The first 100 participants at the health fair will receive free flu shots. Medical professionals will be on hand to perform health screenings for osteoporosis, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, hearing loss and body mass index (BMI). Experts also will be available to answer general health questions, discuss medications and diet and teach women how to properly perform a breast self-exam. Attendees will enjoy complimentary chair massages, exercise demonstrations, giveaways and a nutritious lunch.

The Senior Health Fair is free and open to the public. Complimentary valet parking will be available at the Youth Center. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Wellness.

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 nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 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. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net.

Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score recognizes dedication to patient safety

Four hospitals operated by Baptist Health South Florida have been recognized by a healthcare industry watchdog group for their dedication to patient safety. Baptist Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital each received an A grade in the Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital.

Baptist, Doctors and Homestead Hospitals also earned Leapfrog’s new “Straight A’s” gold badge for achieving a perfect score during every survey period since the Hospital Safety Score was launched in June 2012.

South Miami Hospital received a B score. As a critical-access hospital, Mariners Hospital is not eligible to participate in the survey.

The Hospital Safety Score assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals, which are evaluated on 28 areas of patient safety including infection rates, surgical outcomes, physician staffing levels in the ICU and standard safety measures such as hand washing. Some 40 percent of hospitals receive a C, D or F grade.

“At a time when more than 1,000 people die every day from preventable accidents in hospitals, Leapfrog believes that patient safety should be Job #1 in every hospital, 24-7,” said Leah Binder, Leapfrog president and chief executive officer. “Baptist Health’s A grades validate its achievement in preventing harm within its hospitals, and we are proud to recognize the efforts of the care providers and staff.”

“These scores are a useful tool for patients to begin a conversation with their doctors when it comes to choosing a hospital for care,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health South Florida. “Our scores signify our commitment to patients and their safety. And when combined with our recent star rankings in patient satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), patients can be confident they are making informed decisions about where to be treated.”

The Hospital Safety Score is calculated by top patient safety experts, peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. A full description of the data and methodology used in determining grades is available online at HospitalSafetyScore.org. Visitors to the website can also find informative videos, tips for patients, and a downloadable Hospital Safety Score mobile app for IOS and Android devices.

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 (#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.

About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Hospital Safety Score, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

 

Contact: Dori Alvarez; 786-596-3050

Doctors Hospital Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, in conjunction with Baptist Health South Florida and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy (OLLA), today announced a partnership under which Doctors Hospital will be the exclusive provider of a comprehensive sports medicine program for student athletes at OLLA.

Doctors Hospital Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine treats professional and Olympic athletes from around the country, the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as recreational athletes in South Florida. The Center provides comprehensive orthopedic services using innovative techniques including minimally invasive treatments. Through this partnership, Doctors Hospital will provide a program of injury prevention, education, physical screening examinations and evaluations for OLLA’s athletes.

“The Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is South Florida’s premier facility for sports medicine, and we are honored to be able to care for the top-rate student athletes at OLLA,” said Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital. “The care, preventive medicine and education that they receive today will be vital in laying the foundation for a healthy future.”

OLLA was founded in 1963 for high school girls in the Archdiocese of Miami. The school’s mission is to educate young women to face the future strengthened by their faith, prepared and confident in their abilities to achieve their goals and committed to their Catholic and American heritages.

As the only all-female private school playing Class 8A, the athletic program at OLLA offers 10 interscholastic sports: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

“Our aim is to provide our students with first-rate resources, both in and out of the classroom,” said OLLA Principal Sister Kathryn Donzé. “Our partnership with Doctors Hospital is an extension of our efforts to offer our students the very best.”

In addition to providing sports medicine services to the athletes at OLLA, Doctors Hospital, in conjunction with Baptist Health, is pleased to announce that the athletic training room at OLLA will be named the Doctors Hospital Athletic Training Room.

Aside from serving the student athletes at OLLA, the nationally recognized Doctors Hospital Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine also serves the Miami HEAT, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Florida International University athletics, Discover Orange Bowl, Miami-Dade County Public Schools athletics, Sony Open Tennis, World Golf Championship – Cadillac Championship and the Life Time Miami Marathon & Half Marathon.

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 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 just 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 consecutive 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.

About Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Founded in 1963, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is an all-girl, archdiocesan high school that seeks “to educate young women to face the future strengthened by their faith, prepared and confident in their abilities to achieve their goals and committed to their Catholic and American heritages.” The school proudly boasts a history of strong academics, competitive athletics, spiritual service and extracurricular achievement.

Contacts: Dori Alvarez, Baptist Health South Florida, 786-596-6534; Olga Martinez, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, 305-667-1623 ext. 248.

Doctors Hospital has named Diane Amado-Tate, R.N., chief nursing officer. Ms. Amado-Tate takes over the position from Sandy Hyatt, R.N., who retired after 18 years of service with Baptist Health South Florida.

An accomplished leader with 22 years of nursing experience, Ms. Amado-Tate most recently served as assistant vice president of nursing at South Miami Hospital, where she oversaw nursing staff and patient care in the South Miami Hospital Heart Center, Emergency Center, Critical Care Unit and Respiratory and Pulmonary departments. She also helped lead the development and construction of South Miami Hospital’s new Emergency Center, which opened in December 2012.

“We are thrilled to welcome Diane Amado-Tate to the Doctors Hospital family,” CEO Nelson Lazo said. “With her expertise, she will help guide us as we continue to provide the highest-quality care to our patients.”

Ms. Amado-Tate joined Baptist Health in 1997 as a registered nurse at South Miami Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, graduating cum laude from Hunter College in New York, where she began her nursing career at NYU Medical Center. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in health services administration from Barry University.

Ms. Amado-Tate is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives and Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and serves in a leadership position for the local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, an organization dedicated to providing social, cultural and educational opportunities for children. A resident of Palmetto Bay, Ms. Amado-Tate and her husband, Samuel Tate Jr., have two children.

Contact: Kelli Romano, 786-596-6534; [email protected]