Florida Trend Exclusive
Senior health: Watchful AI
Satish Movva has decades of experience in health care technology, helping to create several electronic medical record platforms and a web-based homecare and hospice system. It became personal for him, though, when he became the primary caregiver for his aging parents. Each visit started to shock him. No matter how they reported their health to him, he continued uncovering problems, including edema, urinary tract infections and depressive episodes. He created CarePredict in 2013 to better inform caregivers from afar. [Source: Florida Trend]
The most personal care at this Florida children’s hospital isn’t billed
St. Joseph’s Children’s launched its nurse navigator program in 2019 with five registered nurses providing support for families of children with cancer and heart conditions. Instead of treating patients, these nurses offer emotional and clinical support, counseling families who can be overwhelmed as they first come to terms with the serious medical needs of their children. The hospital provides the nurses free of charge. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Opinion: Why Florida needs better access to quality hospice and brain health care
Florida’s aging population is booming. The state is already home to more than 4.6 million adults over the age of 65, and that number is growing fast. Along with that growth comes a greater need for skilled caregivers, memory care support, and end-of-life care services that reflect the diverse needs of our state. Now, as more Floridians age and face cognitive decline or serious illness, the need for top-tier care has never been greater. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Medicaid expansion effort tops $1.6M
A political committee seeking to pass a constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid coverage raised nearly $1.65 million from April 1 through June 30, by far the most money it has collected since being formed in 2018. The Florida Decides Healthcare Committee pulled in $1,648,368 during the quarter, according to a newly filed report at the state Division of Elections. It also spent $1,628,241 during the quarter as it seeks to collect enough petition signatures to get on the November 2026 ballot. [Source: News Service of Florida]
New Florida-funded program includes genetic screening for babies to detect rare diseases
A key lawmaker and Florida State University leaders Wednesday touted a new law that includes offering free genetic screening for newborns and bolstering research on rare pediatric diseases. Gov. Ron DeSantis last month signed the law (HB 907), which was unanimously passed by the Legislature in April and is dubbed the Sunshine Genetics Act. The law creates a pilot program led by the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at Florida State University, with families able to choose to have their babies’ full genetic codes sequenced. [Source: Health News Florida]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa General surgeons perform world’s first bloodless heart-liver transplant
Surgeons at Tampa General Hospital successfully performed the world’s first known bloodless heart and liver transplant on May 31. Doctors said the nine-hour operation was possible through close coordination and meticulous surgical technique. The landmark procedure follows Tampa General’s designation as the nation’s largest transplant center, based on the record 889 transplants performed there last year.
› Florida's two Planned Parenthood chapters merge
Florida's two Planned Parenthood chapters are merging under one umbrella as clinics across the country face an existential threat as cuts to federal funding for services provided by clinics loom and as the Trump administration targets abortion providers. Last week, Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida merged into one statewide organization: Planned Parenthood of Florida.
› Ascension Sacred Heart moving forward on building freestanding emergency room in Pace
Ascension Sacred Heart has received approval to develop a freestanding emergency room on the corner of Ashmore Lane and Chumuckla Highway that will provide another set of medical services to the northern end of the Pace community. Santa Rosa County officials approved the proposal in late June to build a medical office building with just over 11,400 square feet.
› Brevard health care expansions continue, with Health First, Orlando Health, Parrish projects
Brevard County's health care providers are continuing their expansion plans to give local residents more medical treatment options. Among the latest developments: Health First will be expanding its Viera Hospital, including at least 20 new inpatient beds and two more operating rooms, to go along with a previously announced expansion plan for its Palm Bay Hospital and a new hospital under construction on Merritt Island.