Healthcare Network, a nonprofit organization working to ensure primary care is accessible to everyone in the community, is pleased to announce the addition of Marianne M. Lambertson, Kerri Ervin and Alex Castano to its board of directors. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Healthcare Network must meet a stringent set of requirements, including operating under a patient-majority board, meaning at least 51% of the governing board or their immediate family must be patients of Healthcare Network.

Marianne M. Lambertson is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Auburn University and The City University of London. Following several years in private practice as a marriage, family and child counselor in Los Angeles, Lambertson spent over two decades in healthcare in the global biopharmaceutical industry working for organizations including Schering-Plough (Merk), elan Pharma, Bayer Healthcare and Verastem Oncology. In 2010, she opened he own consulting practice serving as an advisor and partner to pharmaceutical and biotech organizations across the U.S. and Europe. In addition to her consulting work, Lambertson has made a life-long commitment to charitable giving and volunteering, a trait instilled at an early age by her father who, in his spare time, traveled across the U.S., Europe and Africa rebuilding schools in disaster-torn and underserved areas.

Kerri Ervin is the chief compliance officer and senior vice president of engagement for Avow. During her 20+ year career in hospice, Ervin has successfully served in a number of roles. Ervin holds a Master of Science in health services administration from Florida Gulf Coast University, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Florida Atlantic University, and most recently completed a Master of Jurisprudence in health law from Loyola University Chicago. She holds certifications in health care compliance, hospice and palliative care nursing, hospice and palliative care administration and health care privacy compliance. She is also a registered nurse.

Alex Castano isthe vice president of marketing at the Greater Naples Chamber. Prior to joining the Chamber in 2019, he worked for the global advertising agency GREY, where he applied data science to make marketing campaigns more effective for clients like Febreze, Gillette, Pfizer and many others. Before GREY, Castano spent six years in brand management at Procter & Gamble and four years at GE Healthcare in supply chain and process improvement. Castano volunteers his time as a member of the marketing committee at the Gulfshore Playhouse. He holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical and computer engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA specialized in brand and product management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“We are excited to welcome Marianne, Kerri and Alex to the Healthcare Network board of directors,” said Dr. Emily Ptaszek, President and CEO of Healthcare Network. “Their leadership and guidance will be an asset as we continue to ensure underserved children, adults and seniors in Collier County have access to quality healthcare.”

To learn more about Healthcare Network’s board of directors or the healthcare services it provides, regardless of job, income or insurance status, visit HealthcareSWFL.org.

About Healthcare Network

Healthcare Network is committed to ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of job, income or insurance status. Founded in 1977 to serve migrant farmworkers and their families in Immokalee, Healthcare Network now provides care to approximately 50,000 patients annually in practices throughout Collier County including the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® and the Health and Smiles Mobile units. Healthcare Network provides primary healthcare services including family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, senior care, and pharmacy as well as dental care and integrated behavioral health for both adults and children. The organization’s newest location, the Nichols Community Health Center, is a 50,000-square-foot primary care medical center in Golden Gate. For more information, visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-658-3000.



September 1, 2021 – Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital welcomes board-certified family medicine physician Zhanna Grinchuk, MD. As a primary care physician, Dr. Grinchuk focuses on preventative care, as well as treatment of chronic medical problems.

Dr. Grinchuk is now accepting new patients at Primary Care South, located at 4165 9th Street SW in Vero Beach. Patients may call 772.569.7706 to schedule an appointment.

The relationship between patient and primary care physician is an important one, as that helps physicians like Dr. Grinchuk understand each patient’s baseline state of health. From there, the physician can help each patient meet his or her individual health goals.

“I’m passionate about taking care of people,” Dr. Grinchuk said. “I love getting to know my patients.”

Dr. Grinchuk earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in the West Indies. She completed the Family Medicine Residency Program at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic.

Prior to joining Indian River Hospital, Dr. Grinchuk worked as physician at Vanderbilt Walk-In Clinic in Tennessee. She has also served as a Clinical Instructor in medicine and pediatrics. Dr. Grinchuk is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

About Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is a 332-bed, not for profit hospital offering comprehensive medical services to the Treasure Coast community. The Welsh Heart Center, Scully-Welsh Cancer Center and Scully Endoscopy Center offer full-service programs and a multidisciplinary approach. Healthcare professionals represent specialties including orthopaedic services, minimally invasive vascular surgery, neurosurgery, stroke services, robotic surgery, a state-of-the-art wound healing center, bariatric surgery and the only maternity wing in the community. The hospital features all private rooms and is the largest private-sector employer in Indian River County.

Learn more at clevelandclinicindianriverhospital.com.



September 1, 2021 – Cleveland Clinic Martin Health welcomes board-certified neurologist Samina Kazmi, MD. Dr. Kazmi specializes in stroke care, as well as treatment of headaches, neuropathies and other neurologic conditions.

Dr. Kazmi is now accepting new patients at Tradition HealthPark One, located at 10050 SW Innovation Way, Suite 102 in Port St. Lucie. Patients may make an appointment by calling 772.344.3811 or visit martinhealth.org/neurology to request an appointment online.

While each specific neurological condition has its own treatment options, Dr. Kazmi also recognizes the value of non-medical treatments, like physical therapy. Her goal is to work with each patient to help meet his or her individual health goals.

Dr. Kazmi earned her medical degree at Sindh Medical College, University of Karachi, in Pakistan. She completed the residency program in the Department of Neurology at University of Mississippi Medical Center. She completed the fellowship program in Clinical Neurophysiology at West Virginia University.

Prior to joining Martin Health, Dr. Kazmi practiced as a general neurologist and neurodiagnostician in Canada. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, of the American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology and of the American Board of Vascular Neurology.

About Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is part of the Cleveland Clinic Florida region. It features three hospitals with 521 total beds, a free-standing emergency center, and numerous outpatient centers and clinics across Martin and St. Lucie counties on Florida’s east coast. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health offers preventive, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer care, a heart center, wellness and rehabilitation services, and much more. Learn more at clevelandclinic.org/martinhealth.



The Florida Hospital Association, the state’s leading voice for hospitals and health systems, provided the following update today on COVID-19 in the state. Statewide data is derived from the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

HHS Statewide COVID-19 Update:

Current Confirmed COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 15,387

7-Day Change in COVID-19 Hospitalizations: -8.8%

Total New COVID-19 Cases: 18,608

Inpatient Bed Availability (all patients): 15.2%

Inpatient ICU Bed Availability (adults): 7.2%

Percent of Inpatients with Confirmed COVID-19 (all patients): 33.7%

Source: COVID-19 Reported Patient Impact and Hospital Capacity by State

FHA Hospital Update:

The following information is being released by the Florida Hospital Association from a survey of hospitals completed Monday, August 30, 2021. This survey reflects responses from hospitals representing 83% of Florida’s acute care hospital beds.

  • COVID-19 patients in ICU: 22.7% (steady from 8/26)
  • COVID-19 patients on ventilators: 18.2% (steady from 8/26)
  • COVID-19 patients transferred from nursing homes/long-term care: 2.5% (steady from 8/26)
  • Hospitals expecting critical staffing shortage in next 7 days: 76.0% (steady from 8/26)
  • Hospitals expanding into non-care areas in next 7 days: 27.8% (steady from 8/26)

“In the past week our hospitals have seen roughly a ten percent decrease in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and a dramatic reduction in daily new COVID-19 admissions,” said Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO, Florida Hospital Association. “The downward curve is significant, but we still have 50% more patients hospitalized now with COVID-19 than at the worst of the peak last year. Good news – yes! But we must keep up the battle against the virus and focus on vaccinations.” 

The Florida Hospital Association will continue communicating with all Florida hospitals and state officials and provide additional updates as events warrant.

About the Florida Hospital Association Founded in 1927, the Florida Hospital Association is the leading voice for health care in the State of Florida. Through representation and advocacy, education and informational services, the Florida Hospital Association supports the mission of more than 200 hospitals and health care systems to provide the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. Led by President and CEO Mary Mayhew, the Florida Hospital Association has offices in Tallahassee and Orlando and is governed by a Board of Trustees and officers elected by the member institutions. For more information, visit www.fha.org. 



Florida Department of Health Sets the Record Straight on False Data Claims by the Miami Herald

 

August 31, 2021 – Today, the Miami Herald published an article riddled with contradictions and false claims – specifically in regards to their front page headline: “Florida changed its COVID-19 data, creating an ‘artificial decline’ in recent deaths.”

The Miami Herald also published a misleading article on Friday, August 27, stating:

“It is the largest single-day increase to the death total in the state’s COVID pandemic history… The jump in the number of reported cases and deaths is due to the newest way deaths and cases are counted. The CDC implemented the change earlier this month, causing occasional one-day aberrations like the 901 additional deaths on Thursday and 726 more deaths reported Monday.”

These narratives surrounding “artificial decline” and “jump” contradict one another, are patently false, and have zero credibility. The Department of Health welcomes the opportunity to highlight these contradictions and falsehoods.

COVID-19, and public health in general, should never be politicized. Publications like the Miami Herald have a duty to their readers, and to all Floridians, to report on the pandemic in a factual and objective manner.

Myths vs. Facts

Myth: “Florida changed its COVID-19 data, creating an ‘artificial decline’ in recent deaths”

Fact: This is completely incorrect and misleads the public. Florida reports COVID-19 deaths by date of death for precision, accuracy, and transparency in public communications. As stated in the article itself from an epidemiologist:

“Deaths by date of death curve is the most accurate you can get,” Salemi said. “You know exactly when people died, you know how to construct the curve and exactly when we were experiencing surges in terms of deaths.”

Updating already provisional data does not create an “artificial decline,” nor does it distort the data. These are the deaths as they occurred by date. The fact that these data are provisional is made clear by both DOH reports and the data displayed by the CDC. This ensures that the most accurate data are provided to the public. As the Miami Herald article reported, many other states report COVID-19 deaths the same way Florida does.

This month, the Department worked to develop a procedural improvement with CDC to ensure the most accurate data is consistently provided to the public. The Department has reported deaths by date of death to the CDC since March. This information comes from numerous sources, including labs, medical examiners, hospitals, and physicians. All deaths are required to be filed with the Department’s Bureau of Vital Statistics to ensure verification and accuracy. This reporting process is epidemiologically sound and is not unique to COVID-19.

Myth: “The change came the day after the state health department’s official Twitter account posted a series of late-night tweets accusing the CDC of publishing incorrect numbers, but offering little explanation.

“The health department did not acknowledge the subsequent change in the data structure or its abrupt onset, leaving the public scrambling for answers as more than a year’s worth of data changed from one day to the next….

“At first, the data on the CDC website was updated in a largely predictable manner, similar to the way that the DOH had reported daily changes throughout the pandemic. Then on Aug. 10, without warning or any explanation from the health department or the CDC, the data for nearly every day of the previous year changed. Neither agency immediately explained the changes.”

Fact: DOH provided multiple reporters, including those involved in recently published news stories, statements explaining this process, and provided clarity on Twitter – the same medium on which this misinformation was perpetuated.

Myth: “The Herald also found that during the last two surges the trend lines using date of death showed peaks 25% and 8% percent higher respectively than the corresponding peaks by report date.”

Fact: Miami Herald admits there are fluctuations, both increasing and decreasing. This contradicts their own misleading narrative claiming “distorted and artificial declines.”

Myth: “The DOH weekly report notes “death counts include individuals who meet a standardized national surveillance case definition” but includes no descriptions of how the health department presents the numbers.”

Fact: This is not true. Please reference the clearly labeled chart available on every report.

Myth: “When numbers are presented in a flattering light, an expert will generally be able to see through the dazzle quite quickly,” Harford said. “That said, I still think the truthful-yet-deceptive framing of numbers is a serious problem.

“When data are subtly distorted or presented differently than expected — something Harford called “statistical sleight of hand” — it can prompt dangerous levels of general mistrust and cynicism, he said.”

Fact: Epidemiologists do not rely on “flattery,” and this disregards the hard work of thousands of public health professionals that have worked around the clock for over 500 days. The data are the data.

As many epidemiologists and informed health professionals would know, there is an inherent lag when deaths are reported to the Department from external sources. That is why relying on date of death, rather than date reported, is the most accurate representation of COVID-19 trends and surveillance. Again, to reiterate:

“Deaths by date of death curve is the most accurate you can get,” Salemi said. “You know exactly when people died, you know how to construct the curve and exactly when we were experiencing surges in terms of deaths.”

About the Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.