November 12, 2026 – Baptist Health Foundation announced today that Michael and Bertha Lowell have made a $1 million philanthropic gift to benefit the ongoing renovation and modernization of surgical services at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida. The gift will help enhance the surgical environment for patients, physicians and care teams while advancing access to leading-edge surgical care in the community.
The gift will support the comprehensive renovation of Doctors Hospital’s surgical services area, a multi-phase project designed to modernize spaces and prepare the hospital for the next generation of surgical innovation. Planned enhancements include renovating preoperative and post-anesthesia care areas, expanding sterile processing and decontamination spaces and enlarging operating rooms to accommodate the latest robotic-assisted and image-guided procedures.
“We are profoundly grateful to Mike and Bertha Lowell for their extraordinary generosity and longstanding commitment to our community,” said Alex Villoch, chief executive officer of Baptist Health Foundation. “Their investment is a powerful example of how philanthropy helps advance our mission and create lasting impact for patients and families. Through this gift, the Lowell family is helping ensure that generations of South Floridians benefit from exceptional care close to home.”
A cornerstone of healthcare in Coral Gables for more than 75 years, Doctors Hospital has begun a major operating room renovation project to create a more advanced, efficient and patient-centered surgical experience while preserving uninterrupted access to care throughout construction. The surgical services renovation is expected to be completed in phases through 2028.
“The Lowell family’s gift will play an important role in transforming our surgical services area and supporting the future of care for our patients,” said Carlos E. Hernandez, chief executive officer of Doctors Hospital. “These renovations will create a more modern environment for patients and caregivers, expand our capacity to deliver advanced procedures and help ensure our physicians have the space and technology needed to provide the highest level of care. We are deeply appreciative of the Lowell family’s partnership in this important effort.”
For Mike Lowell, the gift is deeply personal, shaped by his own experiences as a cancer survivor and former professional athlete who benefited from expert medical care throughout his life and career.
“The main reason for this gift is to give back,” said Mike Lowell. “I grew up right here in Coral Gables, and this community has always been home to me. After being diagnosed with cancer at age 24 and later relying on physicians again when I needed hip surgery, I came to understand how life-changing excellent medical care can be. Bertha and I are honored to support the renovation of surgical services at Doctors Hospital, and we hope this gift helps more patients receive the care they need to heal, recover and get back to living their lives.”
Baptist Health Doctors Hospital has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the top 25 hospitals in the nation for in Orthopedics; and as High Performing in COPD, Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement and Pneumonia. A Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, Doctors Hospital offers general and specialized services, including orthopedics and sports medicine, cardiac care and sports cardiology, general surgery, robotic and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, geriatric medicine and pulmonary care. The Emergency Department provides a high-tech, high-touch approach to medicine. Doctors Hospital also houses a state-of-the-art intensive care unit and provides a wide range of outpatient diagnostic services.
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 30,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
