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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The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) has recognized Homestead Hospital as one of 60 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care. As a participant in ACS NSQIP, Homestead Hospital is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that directs patient safety and the quality of surgical care improvements.

The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving a composite meritorious outcome related to patient management in eight clinical areas: mortality, unplanned intubation, ventilator > 48 hours, renal failure, cardiac incidents (cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction); respiratory (pneumonia); SSI (surgical site infections-superficial and deep incisional and organ-space SSIs); or urinary tract infection. The 60 hospitals commended achieved the distinction based on their outstanding composite quality score across the eight areas listed above. Risk-adjusted data from the July 2016 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report, which presents data from the 2015 calendar year, were used to determine which hospitals demonstrated meritorious outcomes.

ACS NSQIP is the only nationally validated quality improvement program that measures and enhances the care of surgical patients. This program measures the actual surgical results 30 days postoperatively as well as risk adjusts patient characteristics to compensate for differences among patient populations and acuity levels. The goal of ACS NSQIP is to reduce surgical morbidity (infection or illness related to a surgical procedure) and surgical mortality (death related to a surgical procedure) and to provide a firm foundation for surgeons to apply what is known as the “best scientific evidence” to the practice of surgery. Furthermore, when adverse effects from surgical procedures are reduced and/or eliminated, a reduction in health care costs follows. ACS NSQIP is a major program of the American College of Surgeons and is currently used in over 770 adult and pediatric hospitals.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 78,000 members and it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

About Homestead Hospital
Homestead 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 at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Baptist Hospital Ranked Best Hospital in Miami-Dade County

Baptist Health South Florida is once again recognized by U.S. News and World Report for being among the best healthcare providers in the region with Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital earning 25 high-performing honors in 12 types of care.   Baptist Health hospitals won four of the top five slots in Miami-Dade County, with Baptist Hospital coming in at number one in the county.

“We are proud to be the most decorated healthcare organization in the region once again,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “It’s an honor we share with the thousands of physicians, dedicated employees, nurses, board members, donors and volunteers who work tirelessly to provide compassionate quality care to our patients each and every day.”

In the Miami- Ft. Lauderdale region, Baptist Hospital is ranked #2, South Miami Hospital is ranked #4 and Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital are tied at #6. Only 504 hospitals (out of approximately 5,000 hospitals nationwide), including Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Homestead Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital were named to the list of  Best Regional Hospitals, putting them among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the country. In addition, Baptist Health’s Centers of Excellence – Miami Cancer Institute, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Neuroscience Center – were all recognized as high-performing in their respective area of expertise.

The U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 27th year, help guide patients to hospitals that deliver outstanding care across 25 specialties, procedures and conditions. The Best Hospitals methodologies include objective measures such as patient survival, the number of times a given procedure is performed, infection rates, adequacy of nurse staffing and more.

“U.S. News evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “A hospital that emerged from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of.”

For 2016-17, 153 hospitals were ranked in at least one specialty, while 1,628 received a high performing rating in one or more specialties, procedures or conditions. In rankings by state and metro area, U.S. News recognized hospitals that were high-performing across multiple areas of care.

Best Hospitals was produced by U.S. News with RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

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.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin, 786-596-6534

WHAT: Homestead Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida, celebrates its 75th anniversary on Saturday, February 6, 2016, with a family health and wellness fair. The commemoration will include free health screenings for adults, a cooking demonstration and tasting featuring produce from the Grow2Heal garden, interactive health exhibits and a Kids zone with music, games, face painting, a rock climbing wall and more.

WHEN: Saturday, February 6, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Homestead Hospital
975 Baptist Way
Homestead, FL 33033

MORE: Photo Opportunity #1 (11:00-11:30 a.m., weather dependent): The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will make a surprise jump and land on the hospital campus.

Photo Opportunity #2 (at approximately 11:45 a.m.):
We will encourage everyone born at James Archer Smith Hospital or Homestead Hospital to join us for a group photo 75 years in the making. Hundreds of people who were born at the hospitals are expected to take part. Everyone will sing happy birthday and enjoy cupcakes.

CONTACT: To coordinate, please contact Georgi Pipkin via email at [email protected] or by phone at (305)793-9626.

About Homestead Hospital
Homestead 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 at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin; 786-596-3309

MIAMI, FL – January 28, 2016 – Homestead Hospital has achieved Magnet® recognition as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork and superior patient care. Magnet recognition is determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®, which ensures that rigorous standards for nursing excellence are met. With this credential, Homestead Hospital joins a select group of 425 entities that have achieved this honor out of nearly 6,000 U.S. healthcare organizations.

“Magnet recognition provides our community with the ultimate benchmark to measure the quality of patient care,” said Bill Duquette, the chief executive officer of Homestead Hospital. “Achieving Magnet recognition reinforces the culture of excellence that is a cornerstone of how we serve the Homestead and South Dade communities. It’s also the tangible evidence of our nurses’ commitment to providing the very best care to our patients. We are extremely proud to join three other Baptist Health hospitals, Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital, in this achievement.”

Magnet recognition has become the international gold standard for nursing excellence. U.S. News & World Report’s annual showcase of “America’s Best Hospitals” includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care.

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. The process begins with submitting an electronic application, followed by written documentation demonstrating qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding patient care and outcomes. If scores from the written documentation fall within a range of excellence, a team of ANCC Magnet appraisers makes a site visit to assess the applicant thoroughly. After this rigorous on-site review, the Commission on Magnet reviews the completed appraisal report and votes to determine the granting of Magnet recognition.

In particular, the Magnet Model is designed to provide a framework for nursing practice, research and measurement of outcomes. Through this framework, ANCC can assess applicants across a number of components and dimensions to gauge an organization’s nursing excellence. The foundation of this model is composed of various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.

About Homestead Hospital

Homestead 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 at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Contact: Georgi Pipkin; 786-596-3309

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]

Baptist Hospital ranked #1 hospital in all of South Florida, #6 in the state; Homestead Hospital ranked #7 in South Florida, #23 in the state

Baptist Health South Florida is once again recognized by U.S. News and World Report for being among the best, with two hospitals on the “Best Regional Hospitals” list. Baptist Hospital ranked as the number one hospital in all of South Florida, tops among Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach County hospitals, and number six in the state of Florida.  Homestead Hospital also made the “Best Regional Hospitals” list, ranked at number seven in South Florida and number 23 in the state.

The annual rankings take into account a variety of factors, including assessments in 16 different specialties. The “Best Hospitals” rankings, which have appeared annually since 1990, recognize hospitals that excel at treating patients who need an exceptionally high level of care. U.S. News introduced a complementary set of ratings this year to evaluate hospitals in regional markets according to their performance in five more common conditions and procedures. The methodology for this year’s ranking was also changed to include a higher threshold for consideration as a high-performing hospital.

Baptist Health hospitals were recognized as high-performing in both complex care and routine care cases as well as in 10 different specialties, procedures and conditions: Ear, Nose & Throat, Geriatrics, Pulmonology, Urology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, Knee Replacement Surgery, Hip Replacement Surgery, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Heart Failure.

“We are proud and honored to again be recognized for the outstanding work of our world-class physicians, nurses and staff members who continuously reach beyond the high standards Baptist Health has in place to provide the best-quality care to each patient every day,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health. “This ranking reinforces and validates that those standards we strive hard to achieve have been met and exceeded.”

“You really can’t deliver great hospital products or great healthcare without all of the different pieces working together,” said Baptist Hospital Medical Staff President Michael Fili, M.D. “Nursing, pharmacy, physicians, administration: it really needs to be coordinated.”

“At Baptist Health, we are constantly seeking to improve our practices and provide the highest quality of care for our patients,” said Thinh Tran, M.D., MBA, corporate vice president and chief medical and quality officer. “We share best practices among our facilities and among our staff to ensure that we are doing the best for our patients as a healthcare organization. The U.S. News rankings help patients make informed decisions about their care, and we are proud to be highlighted among the best.”

Baptist Health hospitals earned more high-performing medals than any other healthcare system in the region. In addition, Baptist Health Neuroscience Center, Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute were recognized for various specialties.

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. 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.

Contact: Dori Alvarez; [email protected], 786-596-3050

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

Homestead-Miami Speedway joins an impressive list of professional sports teams, colleges and sporting events from South Florida which now share Baptist Health South Florida as a corporate partner. The Speedway and Baptist Health today announced a three-year agreement, making Baptist Health the official healthcare sponsor of the Speedway. Baptist Health will have a strong presence at many of Homestead-Miami Speedway’s events throughout the year, especially leading up to and during Ford Championship Weekend, November 14-16.

Although this is the first time that the two entities have officially joined forces, Baptist Health is not unfamiliar territory for the Speedway. The Speediatrics Unit at Homestead Hospital – part of Baptist Health – is one of The NASCAR Foundation’s primary philanthropies. Also known as the Betty Jane France Children’s Emergency Center, it is the only emergency center dedicated to children in the southernmost region of Miami-Dade County. The motorsports-themed unit receives regular visits from NASCAR drivers, and the Speedway sponsors annual toy drives and other initiatives to lift the spirits of sick children and their families.

“Baptist Health is one of South Florida’s leading healthcare providers, and we are excited to have them on our team,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “The Speediatrics unit at Homestead Hospital has been a main focus of our community endeavors for many years, and partnering with Baptist Health South Florida as a whole expands that tremendous relationship.”

“Homestead Hospital’s longstanding partnership with the Speedway has brought great joy to our young patients, their families, and the nurses and physicians who care for them,” said Homestead Hospital CEO Bill Duquette, “and this is only a glimpse of what’s in store for our community.”

In addition to their sponsorship affiliations, Baptist Health currently serves as the official healthcare provider for the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers, as well as Florida International University’s athletic program, Miami-Dade County Public Schools athletics, Orange Bowl, Miami Open, World Golf Championships and Miami Marathon.

About Homestead-Miami Speedway
The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.  The 650-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year, and features a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course. The track generates more than $250 million annually for the region.

For the 13th consecutive year, NASCAR will crown champions in all three of its premier series at Homestead-Miami Speedway during Ford Championship Weekend (November 14-16). The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season will again culminate with the Ford EcoBoost 400, which is broadcast live on TV by ESPN to 200 countries in 24 languages. It also will air on radio by MRN and its affiliates throughout the country. For the first time, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series will crown its champion based on a 10-race, 16-driver elimination series. The four remaining drivers who have advanced from the previous rounds in the Chase For The Sprint Cup will compete amongst a full 43-car field at the Ford EcoBoost 400, with the highest finisher among those four drivers earning the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

About Baptist HealthSouth 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.

Contact: Dori Alvarez, 786-596-3050, [email protected]