South Miami Hospital’s campus is lit up purple in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month. Each year in the U.S., one of every ten babies is born premature (less than 37 weeks). Premature birth is the second leading cause of newborn death, and many babies who survive face serious health problems. South Miami Hospital’s Center for Women & Infants joins organizations around the world to raise awareness and educate expectant mothers about premature birth and the factors that contribute to it, including genetics, smoking, nutrition and limited access to prenatal care.

In October 2013, South Miami Hospital was the ninth hospital in the U.S. to earn The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for prematurity. This certification demonstrates that the Center for Women & Infants meets rigorous national standards of care specific to the needs of premature babies. The Gold Seal of Approval was awarded after Joint Commission surveyors conducted an on-site evaluation that addressed five core areas: program management, clinical care, supporting self-management, clinical information management and performance measurement.

The Center for Women & Infants is home to Level II and III neonatal intensive care units, where highly-specialized teams cares for premature or sick newborns. More than 4,600 babies are born each year at the Center.

“Our highly skilled team of doctors, specialists and nurses are committed to providing the highest level of quality care to our tiniest patients,” said Denise Woods, R.N., vice president of the Center for Women & Infants. “Lighting up purple this month is one small way to shine the light on prematurity and show support and compassion for the families who have experienced preterm birth.”

The Center for Women & Infants also provides a vast array of comprehensive services for women, such as Maternity services, including specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and unborn babies; infertility and reproductive medicine; gynecological health, including minimally-invasive robotic surgery and fibroid and cancer treatment; breast health; and diagnostic testing, including digital mammography to detect breast cancer and fetal MRI to detect problems in unborn babies.

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Project to provide a tranquil space near the South Miami Hospital campus 

MIAMI, FL – December 5, 2016 – Baptist Health South Florida announced today a partnership with Friends of The Underline to build a Healing Garden adjacent to U.S. 1 near South Miami Hospital’s East Tower Building. The Healing Garden will provide a peaceful area for people to relax, rest and reflect.

“Helping to make our community healthier is at the heart of Baptist Health’s mission,” said Brian Keeley, president and chief executive officer, Baptist Health South Florida. “Our partnership with Friends of The Underline will help to advance our shared goal of promoting health and well-being in South Florida by providing inviting spaces for our community to enjoy. Specifically, we hope the Healing Garden at South Miami Hospital will become an urban oasis of peace and tranquility.”

The Underline is a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and living art destination expected to break ground in Fall, 2017. This multi-year project will have a significant impact on Miami-Dade County. It will change the way the community moves around the city, increase property value, create jobs, attract new users to transit and add over one hundred acres of new open space. As one of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’ priorities, the project has received a $3 million commitment from the county and is a public/ private collaboration between Miami-Dade Parks, Miami-Dade Transportation and Public Works and Friends of The Underline, a 501C3 non-profit organization.

“We are so thankful to have Baptist Health South Florida as our partner. The commitment to building the Healing Garden at South Miami Hospital, adjacent to the future trail, and open it up to the public demonstrates the community’s steadfast support of The Underline project,” said Meg Daly, chief executive officer and president, Friends of The Underline.

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 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.

About Friends of The Underline
Friends of The Underline is a 501C3 non-profit organization advocating to transform the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and canvas for artistic expression to create a safer, healthier, more connected and sustainable, mobile, and engaged community. For more information visit www.theunderline.org and Like and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @theunderlinemia.

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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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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

South Miami Hospital officially opened an additional 13 Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds to the Center for Women & Infants, taking the total to 47 Level II beds and 15 Level III beds.

“At The Center for Women & Infants, we strive to provide high-quality care for all of our patients. With the addition of 13 Level II neonatal intensive care rooms, we are one of the largest NICU’s in South Florida, helping us extend our comprehensive services to more babies in need of highly-specialized care throughout the community,” said Dr. Jorge Perez, medical director of neonatal intensive care at South Miami Hospital and chairman of the hospital’s Center for Women & Infants.

The unit provides around-the-clock care for babies with a wide variety of medical problems. A full range of specialists, including pediatric cardiologists, neurologists, surgeons, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons and infectious disease specialists, are available to the NICU.

The unit has private and semiprivate rooms that allow individualized and private environments for babies and their families. Special lighting and noise-reduction surfaces combine to create a welcoming environment that promotes healing.

For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/SMHNICU.

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]

Colleen Rodriguez, R.N., has been promoted to assistant vice president of Neonatal Services at South Miami Hospital. Ms. Rodriguez will be responsible for managing neonatal patient care in the hospital’s Center for Women & Infants.

Ms. Rodriguez’s tenure at South Miami Hospital spans 15 years. She most recently served as director of Neonatal Services, overseeing the hospital’s 34-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the 15-bed Level III NICU, the Neonatal Transport Team and the Patient Care Navigator program. Under her direction, South Miami Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s prestigious Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease Specific Care for prematurity.

Ms. Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in health service administration from Florida International University. She has presented lectures on neonatal protocols and serves as a course instructor for numerous neonatal care programs. She is a nationally certified neonatal intensive care nurse (RNC-NIC) and member of the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She has served as president of the South East Florida Chapter of National Association of Neonatal Nurses and co-chair and member of the nomination and selection committee for the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year.

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 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 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.

Contact: Shannon Zemantauski, 786-662-5015

Kim Zimmerman, R.N., has been promoted to assistant vice president of Perinatal Services for South Miami Hospital. Ms. Zimmerman will be responsible for overseeing perinatal patient care in the hospital’s Center for Women & Infants.

Ms. Zimmerman joined South Miami Hospital in 2004 and most recently served as director of Obstetrical Services. In this position, she directed patient care in Labor & Delivery, the Maternal Fetal Special Care Unit, Public Cord Blood Collection Center, Mother/Baby Unit, OB Triage, OB Surgical, Transitional Nursery and the Childbirth Education Department. Under her direction, South Miami Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s prestigious Gold Seal of Approval® for Disease Specific Care for pre-term labor.

Ms. Zimmerman received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and master’s degree in nursing from Loyola University. She is a nationally certified in-patient obstetrics nurse (RNC-OB) and nurse manager and leader (CNML). She is an active member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

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 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 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.

Contact: Shannon Zemantauski, 786-662-5015