Florida Trend Exclusive
A second set of eyes
Physicians at the University of Florida are using artificial intelligence to assist with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment — yet experts say that human health professionals always will have a role in patient care. “We’re actively deploying AI tools that give us efficiencies in workflows,” says Dr. Evelyn Anthony, professor and chair of UF’s College of Medicine Department of Radiology. Trends in AI for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer at medical facilities now tend to fall into two categories, Anthony says. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida’s Live Healthy Act shows early promise one year later
Healthcare is becoming easier to access across Florida, according to state regulators and medical providers who say the comprehensive Live Healthy Act is working as intended one year after implementation. The sweeping 2024 legislation was designed to expand Florida’s health workforce, particularly in underserved areas, as the state faces a projected shortage of about 18,000 doctors by 2035. With roughly 1,000 people moving into Florida daily, accessing medical care has become increasingly challenging. [Source: WCJB]
Meet 13 Florida health care executives driving innovation across the state
Florida’s health care landscape is being reshaped by a wave of leadership, innovation, and investment that spans the state. The executives leading this transformation are redefining how care is delivered, financed and discovered through modernizing legacy systems, expanding regional networks and integrating research, technology and entrepreneurship into patient care. Together, these leaders are steering Florida toward a new era of medical excellence and accessibility. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Florida Blue, BayCare to give seniors more time to find a new doctor
Florida Blue and BayCare have come to an agreement on some of its Medicare Advantage plans, which means fewer seniors will have to immediately find a new primary care doctor. About 4,100 seniors enrolled in the preferred provider organization, or PPO, version of Florida Blue Medicare Advantage plan will be able to keep their BayCare primary care doctor through the end of the year, both groups confirmed. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida KidCare expansion still delayed amid pending lawsuit
Florida KidCare is a state and federally funded health insurance program for children from low-income families. In 2023, lawmakers passed a bill to expand access to include families at 300% of the national poverty level -- or those who make about 90 thousand dollars for a family of four. But the measure is on hold as a lawsuit between the DeSantis administration and the federal government moves forward. [Source: WFSU]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› USF St. Petersburg will launch a new four-year nursing program
By 2035, Florida is expected to have a nursing shortage of nearly 60,000, according to the Florida Hospital Association. The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is launching a four-year nursing program that will welcome freshmen. The program is expected to accept 85 students. However, there are only 70 seats for the higher-level courses, meaning there will be a cutoff after the second year, according to Usha Menon, the dean of the USF College of Nursing.
› Jacksonville Beach facility launches as Northeast Florida's first psychedelic research center
Jacksonville Beach is stepping into the national spotlight as an unexpected hub for cutting-edge mental health research. First Coast Research Center has officially launched as Northeast Florida’s first dedicated psychedelic and central nervous system clinical trial site, bringing FDA-regulated mental health studies to the region. The facility will test compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin for conditions including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders.
› ‘Feels like a cruel joke’: Woman threatened with collections over wheelchair
Victoria Sjostedt had serious injuries after getting struck by a car in August. But as she worked to recover, she found herself dealing with a billing nightmare for a wheelchair she claims she turned in months ago. When Sjostedt was released from the hospital, she was provided a wheelchair and billed around $50 a month to use it by a company called CareCentrix, but she said after returning it to Orlando Regional Medical Center in December, the bills kept coming.
› FAMU Board of Trustees asks Tallahassee to delay next meeting about TMH and FSU partnership
The Florida A&M university’s board of trustees wants more time to negotiate joining a potential partnership between Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Florida State University. During a special meeting Friday, FAMU’s board unanimously agreed that Florida A&M should be brought to the table in negotiations for the partnership. They also asked the City of Tallahassee to delay a public hearing scheduled about the proposal.