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Florida Hospital Association says this summer's delta COVID surge is 'over'

Florida Hospital Association says this summer's delta COVID surge is 'over'

Saying Florida's summer delta surge is "over," the Florida Hospital Association reported Friday that hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have dropped below levels from the same date a year ago. According to data from the FHA and federal Department of Health and Human Services, Friday's hospitalization numbers stood at 2,251, compared to 2,327 on Oct. 22, 2020. The state reached its peak of 17,121 on Aug. 23, 2021. FHA president Mary Mayhew says COVID remains a concern in Florida, saying, “getting vaccinated remains the best protection against serious illness, possible hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.” [Source: Health News Florida]

Florida Trend Exclusive

UF Health wants annual genetic screenings for breast cancer routine to all gynecology patients

Based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the program was conceived by Dr. Sonja A. Rasmussen, a clinical geneticist and director of UF’s Precision Health Program, which integrates genomics into clinical care. To lead the pilot, Rasmussen enlisted the help of Dr. Shireen Madini Sims, associate professor in the UF College of Medicine’s department of obstetrics and gynecology. [Source: Florida Trend]

Opinion: Take steps to address Florida's growing shortage of nurses

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating and demoralizing to people in all walks of life, but nurses carry a much heavier burden than most. Nurses been on the front lines caring for hospitalized COVID patients separated from their loved ones, making the job even harder. Just when it seemed like the pandemic was winding down, the delta variant of the virus spread largely through the unvaccinated population and caused a summer surge in cases. [Source: Gainesville Sun]

Florida's new surgeon general refuses mask and is told to leave meeting with state senator

Florida's recently appointed surgeon general was asked to leave a meeting after refusing to wear a mask at the office of a state senator who told him she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Dr. Joseph Ladapo had asked to meet Sen. Tina Polsky in Tallahassee as he seeks confirmation in the Senate after being named to the post by Gov. Ron DeSantis last month. Polsky, a Boca Raton Democrat, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but she had not made her condition public. [Source: AP]

How South Florida hospitals are helping their healthcare workers through the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented levels of stress — and need — to the healthcare field. In response, hospital foundations, nonprofits and caring individuals rose to the occasion. From donated meals to outright cash, from free mindfulness classes to impromptu musical concerts, community gifts went a long way in recognizing the efforts of nurses, doctors, cafeteria workers, transportation techs and anyone on the front line of care delivery. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Patients get a fashion makeover as a Miami designer unveils new hospital gowns
Among the busy foot traffic around Alamo Park inside Jackson Memorial Hospital, Rene Ruiz was unveiling his newest design. Ruiz, a Miami-based fashion designer who makes gowns for celebrities and public figures, took to the podium with two models. He was there to show the medical staff of Jackson Memorial his new gown for transplant patients.

› SMH Healthcare Foundation gives more than $1 million in grants to hospital programs
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation recently awarded three grants totaling more than $1 million to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. These grants will help SMH purchase a pharmacy robotics system, implement a clinical trial management system for the Women’s Cancer Care Program and expand the RENEW wellness program to the community.

› Victim Service Center opens offices in Sanford, west Orange to aid survivors
The Victim Service Center has opened two satellite offices in Central Florida in recent months — in Sanford and west Orange — hoping to keep pace with the region’s sprawling growth and expand its outreach in the Black community. “For years, the biggest challenge we had was physically getting people to our locations,” said Executive Director Lui Damiani. “We knew we needed to create more options so people didn’t have to travel.”

› Jacksonville's Wolfson Children's Hospital announces its largest donation ever
Wolfson Children’s Hospital has received the largest donation in its 66-year history from a local family. The hospital’s new critical care tower will be named for the benefactors, Dr. Thom and Pat Borowy. The family requested that the amount of the gift stay confidential.