Philanthropy Couple Makes History As NSU Medical School Is Named After Them

Nova Southeastern University held it’s 20th annual Celebration of Excellence Ceremony Saturday night. But this year, the two guests of honor - and the first Indian Americans to have a U.S. medical school named after them - have made NSU history. Health News Florida [1/30/18]

Treasure Coast mental hospital's 911 calls tax first responders

Florida's privatized Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center is tasked with restoring people’s mental health enough to stand trial on felonies, and housing those found not guilty by reason of insanity. TCPalm [1/23/18]

Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, Pinecrest Physical Therapy announce partnership

Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, and Pinecrest Physical Therapy recently announced a partnership adding five outpatient physical therapy locations to the Institute’s rehabilitation program. Miami's Community Newspapers [1/16/18]

Cota links with Miami Cancer Institute

Baptist Health South Florida’s new Miami Cancer Institute is celebrating its 1 year anniversary with a key partnership. The healthcare analytics firm Cota announced that it would join the new oncology center in a partnership aimed at using data to deliver personalized, value-minded cancer care. HCA News [1/9/18]

Baptist Homestead gets $200K for sickle cell center

Baptist’s South Dade campus will be opening a new clinic to serve sickle cell patients after the Homestead City Council decided that a $200,000 state grant would go to the neighborhood hospital, not to a Hollywood center patronized and promoted by a former councilman. Miami Herald [1/2/18]

At a turbulent time for UM’s health system, a new leader takes the reins

Five months after the University of Miami hired Dr. Edward Abraham as dean of the Miller School of Medicine, UM officials named him the full-time chief executive of the UM Health System. Miami Herald [12/26/17]

Report: Profits for Broward's two public hospital systems going opposite ways

Broward County’s two publicly owned hospital systems continued to move in opposite financial directions in 2016, with net income of troubled Broward Health dropping to $15.9 million, while Memorial Healthcare posted a $226 million profit — $85 million more than in 2014. South Florida Sun-Sentinel [12/19/17]

Integrated Health Center of Miami responds to growing threat of diabetes at Doral event

As part of its mission to change the face of healthcare, Integrated Health Center of Miami recently presented a World Diabetes Day Event in Doral, geared to create awareness of this devastating disease and in support of the World Diabetes Day 2017 Campaign, “Women & Diabetes: Our Right to a Healthy Future." Miami Community Newspapers [12/12/17]

Jackson Health posts a profit again — but are cuts coming to hospital funding?

Seven years after Miami-Dade’s public hospital network nearly went bankrupt, Jackson Health System reported a profit for the sixth year in a row on Wednesday — signaling a sustained financial turnaround for the $1.9-billion-a-year taxpayer-supported healthcare system. Miami Herald [12/5/17]

UM Hospital can't stop bleeding money as costs soar and admissions drop

A decade after the University of Miami purchased a 560-bed hospital across the street from its medical school campus in downtown Miami, UM is struggling to turn a profit at the facility as operating expenses skyrocket and patient admissions dwindle. Miami Herald [11/28/17]

Florida confirms Miami’s first mosquito-borne case of Zika in 2017

Florida health officials reported Miami-Dade’s first local case of Zika for 2017 on Friday, marking the state’s second case of mosquito-borne transmission of the virus this year. Miami Herald [11/21/17]

Boynton Beach doctor's license suspended over 4 patient deaths

A 73-year-old doctor in Boynton Beach had his license suspended for his alleged involvement in the deaths of four patients, the Florida Department of Health said. South Florida Sun-Sentinel [11/14/17]

Sexually-transmitted Zika case confirmed in Miami-Dade County

The Florida Department of Health on Friday confirmed the state’s first case of the Zika virus being sexually transmitted. An unidentified person in Miami-Dade County, who had recently visited several countries, including Cuba, FOX News [11/7/17]

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Gasparilla pirates invade St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

Some children who were too sick to go to the Gasparilla Children's Parade last weekend got help from local krewes to hold the 14th Annual Gasparilla Parade at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Friday. FOX 13 [1/30/18]

Flu worries prompts Lee Health to restrict child visitors to hospitals

A sharp rise in flu cases this year has prompted Lee Health, Southwest Florida's largest hospital operator, to bar children 12 and younger from visiting its health centers until further notice. Naples Daily News [1/23/18]

No time to go to doctor in SW Florida? Try a televisit online for $45 fee

Staying home, avoiding germs in a waiting room, and receiving medical attention for minor problems on your own terms is now possible in Southwest Florida. The NCH Healthcare System in Collier County began a “virtual visit” program last month. Naples Daily News [1/16/18]

Health care exec scores national board post

Samira Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope Healthcare, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Business Observer [1/9/18]

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital recognized for information technology innovation

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital of St. Petersburg has received national recognition from Hospitals & Health Networks magazine and has been named one of the Most Wired hospitals in the U.S. by the publication. Florida Business Daily [1/2/18]

BayCare announces $308 million Hillsborough hospitals expansion

The Clearwater-based health care company announced Thursday that it will invest $308 million over the next three years to expand St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview. Tampa Bay Times [12/26/17]

City Council sinks deal to alter ownership of Bayfront Health St. Petersburg

After months of tense negotiations and weeks of political impasse, the City Council on Thursday derailed a proposal that would have changed the ownership structure of the city’s largest hospital, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Times [12/19/17]

Driven by demand, Planned Parenthood opens second clinic in Tampa

Hillsborough is only the second county in the state with two such centers, thanks to growing demand for patient services in the Tampa Bay area, said Dr. Suzie Prabhakaran, vice president of medical affairs for Planned Parenthood in Florida. Tampa Bay Times [12/12/17]

Could math help defeat cancer? Moffitt is betting it will

On any given day, the lobby at Moffitt Cancer Center is buzzing with patients and their families. Above them, on an upper floor, a group of staffers is working to find new ways to fight or even cure cancer, but they aren’t doctors or nurses, and their office looks nothing like the rest of the hospital. Tampa Bay Times [12/5/17]

Sarasota Memorial Hospital campus in Venice moves forward

The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board is moving ahead with pre-construction work and design plans for a $225 million hospital in Venice, even before it has final approval for the project. Tampa Bay Business Journal [11/28/17]

In Tampa Bay and elsewhere, early numbers show record sign-ups for Obamacare

Despite the budget cuts, the attempts to repeal and replace, and reports of sharp rises in premiums, Floridians and other Americans are signing up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act at record rates this year Tampa Bay Times [11/21/17]

Hospital software provider faces billing fraud allegations in Tampa court case

Software provided to more than 300 hospitals nationwide by Epic Systems Corp. incorrectly bills Medicare and Medicaid, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Tampa. Tampa Bay Business Journal [11/14/17]

USF using video games to improve patient care

University of South Florida nursing professor Dr. John Clochesy has teamed up with engineers and researchers to design interactive video games to improve patient care. FOX 13 [11/7/17]

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3 Orlando doctors convicted of $4.3M kickback scheme involving pain creams

Larry Howard, owner of Fertility Pharmacy in Oviedo; Dr. Nicole Bramwell of Apopka; and Raymond Stone of Orlando were convicted for their role in a kickback scheme that involved pain and scar creams, totaling $4.3 million in false and fraudulent claims. Orlando Sentinel [1/30/18]

UF mobile clinic offers checkups for about 25 people

The event was held by Children Beyond Our Borders, a Florida nonprofit organization focused toward ensuring the social well-being of immigrant children, their families and additional under-represented groups. This was the fourth time the event has been held, but the first with dental volunteers from UF Dentistry. The Alligator [1/23/18]

6-year-old Eustis boy dies of rabies contracted from bat

The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats. Outside cats are by far the most common domestic animal found to have rabies in the state of Florida because they are often not kept up to date on vaccinations. Click Orlando [1/16/18]

Jackson Healthcare acquires Orlando health-care staffing company

Alpharetta, Georgia-based Jackson Healthcare is adding another health-care staffing company to its family. On Jan. 5, Jackson announced it acquired Avant Healthcare Professionals, an Orlando, Fla.-based company with 650 employees in 38 states. Atlanta Business Chronicle [1/9/18]

Orlando doctor starts direct-pay clinic

Dr. Osman Farooq, a critical care specialist at Orlando Health, founded the MyDoc clinic with his own money, with a direct-pay model, in an effort to make routine care affordable for uninsured and underinsured consumers. Orlando Sentinel [1/2/18]

Health care expert: Why certificates of need are important in Central Florida

Health care facilities today must have approval from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration before they can build new facilities or expand. That's designed to restrain health care facility costs. However, the approval process can take a long time. Orlando Business Journal [12/26/17]

Merger creates large primary-care group

Primary Partners, an integrated group of independent physicians, and Central Florida Affordable Care, an Accountable Care Organization, have joined together forming a group of more than 90 primary-care physicians in Central Florida. Orlando Sentinel [12/19/17]

Midwifery Seeing Upticks In Alachua County

Although the Florida Department of Health’s 2016 Florida Vital Statistics Report does not show a significant increase in out-of-hospital deliveries in Alachua County, local experts in midwifery say the practice is becoming more popular among expecting mothers and those wanting to become midwives themselves. WUFT [12/12/17]

North Florida medical center hosts holiday light ceremony

Around North Florida Regional Medical Center’s pond, 95,000 lights were lit Friday and outlined with Christmas trees, gingerbread men and snowmen. About 10,000 people applauded and cheered at 6:15 p.m. when the lights turned on at the 28th Annual Pond Lighting Ceremony, which was hosted by the hospital. The Alligator [12/5/17]

FDA raids central Florida stores that supply patients with Canadian drugs

The Food and Drug Administration in October sent criminal investigation agents to nine locations across Central Florida that help customers order discount drugs from Canadian pharmacies and other foreign locations. Becker's Hospital Review [11/28/17]

Central Florida health providers worry about wave of Puerto Rico evacuees

Across Central Florida, health providers — from small practices and urgent care centers like Night Lite Pediatrics to Planned Parenthood, safety net clinics and hospitals — are pitching in to care for evacuees from Puerto Rico. Orlando Sentinel [11/21/17]

Opinion: Indian River County leaders face huge decision on future of health care

Is health care important to you? If so, you’re running out of time to get involved locally. You don’t have to go to Tallahassee or Washington to add your two cents. Friday afternoon, you should have an opportunity to weigh in on the future of health care in Indian River County. TCPalm [11/14/17]

Florida Hospital Flagler receives "A" for patient safety from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

Florida Hospital Flagler is ranked as one of the safest hospitals in the United States, as FHF was one of the only hospitals in the area to earn A ratings from The Leapfrog Group in the latest release of Hospital Safety Grades, according to a release. Palm Coast Observer [11/7/17]

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Life-saving treatment for severe cases of pneumonia, flu now offered at Pensacola hospital

Battling pneumonia or the flu can be scary. However, there is a life-saving treatment available at Baptist Hospital aimed at treating the most severe cases. It's the only treatment of its kind being offered in the region. WEAR [1/30/18]

Tallahassee hospitals grappling with worst flu season in 10 years

Tallahassee hospitals have seen a rise in patients with flu symptoms, in what some are calling the worst flu season in a decade. “The season hit us earlier than last year,” said Dr. Joseph Mazziotta, a family medicine physician at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Tallahassee Democrat [1/23/18]

Agreement reached to bring Chinese children with tumors to Jacksonville for treatment

Executives with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Health System and the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute signed agreements in Beijing, China to establish a pediatric neuro-oncology program where some of the more than 500,000 Chinese children diagnosed with brain tumors each year will travel to Jacksonville for treatment. Florida Times-Union [1/16/18]

Andrews Institute sees early positive results from stem cell study on knee cartilage

Now more than seven months into research on stem cells and cartilage regeneration, medical professionals at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze have reported positive early results in a study that could ultimately overhaul how doctors treat common joint maladies. Pensacola News Journal [1/9/18]

Volunteer cuddlers at Florida hospital help spur infant development

A program at a north Florida hospital pairs volunteers with newborns to give them love. The babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit at UF Health Jacksonville and sometimes their parents can't be with them. KIRO [1/2/18]

Florida senator files bill to rename Tallahassee VA clinic

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson has filed legislation to rename the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center on Orange Avenue in Tallahassee, in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Ernest "Boots" Thomas. WTXL [12/26/17]

UF Health Jacksonville is among 89 hospitals involved in a national improvement collaborative for children with asthma

UF Health Jacksonville is among 89 hospitals involved in a national improvement collaborative for children seen in the emergency room or hospitalized with asthma. Asthma affects nearly 10 percent of American children and is a leading cause of pediatric emergency visits and hospitalizations. Florida Times-Union [12/19/17]

Errors, doctor turnover, wait times top concerns shared at Pensacola VA forum

Frequent turnover of doctors, repeated paperwork errors and long wait times were among the complaints Pensacola-area veterans shared with leaders of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System at a town hall meeting Wednesday night. Pensacola News-Journal [12/12/17]

Free medical clinic visits Pensacola

On December 2 and 3, volunteer doctors, dentists, and vision care providers helped thousands of people in Pensacola - free of charge. The "RAM" or Remote Area Medical clinic, is designed for people who don't have access to health care. WEAR [12/5/17]

Plans filed for Wildlight UF Health facilities

Wildlight LLC filed plans with the St. Johns River Water Management District for the proposed University of Florida health and fitness facilities at Wildlight, the master-planned community in Nassau County. Jax Daily Record [11/28/17]

How Jacksonville health care industry is going through changes

Technology and business model changes have impacted how the health care industry on the First Coast approaches everything from real estate decisions to branding. Jacksonville Business Journal [11/21/17]

Tallahassee facilities dispute being on state's noncompliance list

Several Tallahassee assisted living facilities have been flagged by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs for failing to meet the Oct. 31 compliance deadline for the emergency rule, which includes on-site generators. Tallahassee Democrat [11/14/17]

TMH, Apalachee Center host stress and anxiety workshop

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and the Apalachee Center hosted a stress and anxiety workshop at Goodwood Museum. At the workshop, experts talked about the stresses of work, family and current events and how they can impact mental health. WCTV [11/7/17]

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