Dr. Brijeshwar Maini Performs Milestone Case, Expanding Stroke Prevention Options for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

July 21, 2026– Good Samaritan Medical Center has successfully completed its first implantation of the WATCHMAN FLX™ Pro Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device, marking another milestone in the hospital’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care in Palm Beach County. The procedure, one of a line of full-suite diagnostic and surgical services available at the Good Samaritan Center for Preventative Cardiac Medicine, was performed by interventional cardiologist Dr. Brijeshwar Maini, Director of the Center for Preventive Cardiac Medicine at Good Samaritan Medical Center.

The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device is designed to reduce stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) who need an alternative to long-term blood thinner medications, with the latest-generation device designed to reduce the risk of device-related thrombus, deliver enhanced visualization markers for precise placement, and provide an expanded size range to treat a broader population of patients.

“Completing our first WATCHMAN FLX Pro implantation represents another step forward in delivering advanced, patient-centered heart care. Good Samaritan Medical Center has long been at the forefront of structural heart and cardiovascular innovation, and we are proud to offer innovative and leading-edge surgical options to our patients,” said Dr. Maini. “This technology provides an important treatment option for patients seeking an alternative to lifelong anticoagulation therapy and is a key demonstration of the preventative cardiac services we bring to patients.”

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and affects millions of Americans. Patients living with AFib face a significantly increased risk of stroke. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device closes off the left atrial appendage, where most stroke-causing blood clots form in patients with non-valvular AFib, helping reduce stroke risk while potentially allowing patients to discontinue long-term blood thinner therapy. The WATCHMAN technology is delivered through a minimally invasive, one-time procedure, with the implant remaining permanently in place and designed to help prevent blood clots from entering the bloodstream and causing a stroke.

“At Good Samaritan Medical Center, we are committed to bringing the latest evidence-based technologies to our community,” said Sheri Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Medical Center. “The successful completion of our first WATCHMAN FLX Pro procedure demonstrates our dedication to expanding treatment options, delivering personalized prevention strategies and improving outcomes for patients living with atrial fibrillation. We congratulate Dr. Maini and the entire cardiovascular team on this important achievement.”

Good Samaritan Medical Center is nationally recognized for its advanced cardiovascular services and continues to invest in innovative technologies that help patients receive leading-edge care close to home.

About Good Samaritan Medical Center

Good Samaritan Medical Center (GSMC) is a 333-bed acute care hospital, part of the Palm Beach Health Network, that’s provided sophisticated, personalized and emergency medical care to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast with over 100 years of experience. GSMC offers advanced orthopedic care, women’s care and wellness from breast health to obstetrics, general surgery, emergency services, urology, bariatric surgery, cardiac services, and comprehensive cancer care.

Our cancer center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer, anchored by our state-of-the-art Breast Center. We are also accredited by the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation program for Breast Cancer.

GSMC utilizes some of the latest robotic technologies that highlight our robust general and orthopedic surgery procedures including the MAKO, Da Vinci and Velys robots. GSMC has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Total Hip and Knee Replacement, Shoulder Replacement and Spine Surgery, Healthgrades’ 100 Best Hospital Award for Spine Surgery and Outpatient Orthopedic Excellence and awarded by the Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration for reducing unnecessary C-sections.

To learn more about GSMC visit www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com or call 561-650-6023.



National recognition honors senior living community’s commitment to honoring each resident’s individual preferences, values, and life experiences through person-centered care

July 21, 2026 – Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences Boca Raton, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, has been recognized by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing (HIGN) at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing as one of the first senior living communities in the nation to receive The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation Designation of Excellence in Person-Centered Long-Term Care.

Sinai Residences a full continuum of care, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Short-Term Rehab/Skilled Nursing, allowing residents to age in place with confidence and peace of mind.

The prestigious designation recognizes long-term care communities that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to honoring each resident’s individual preferences, values, and life experiences through person-centered care. Grounded in respect, dignity, integrity, and resident choice, the designation reflects an organization’s commitment to creating an environment where older adults are empowered to make decisions about their own care and daily lives.

To earn the designation, communities complete a comprehensive organizational self-assessment, provide extensive staff education on person-centered care principles, and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality improvement and resident-centered practices.

“Being among the first communities in the nation to receive this designation is especially meaningful because it places Sinai Residences at the forefront of a movement that is redefining long-term care,” said Angela Marino-Ortiz, Vice President of Clinical Services at Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences Boca Raton. “This recognition validates the culture we have intentionally built, one where resident choice, dignity, and individuality are at the center of every decision. We are honored to help set the standard for person-centered care and to serve as a model for excellence within the senior living profession.”

According to HIGN Executive Director Tara Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN, the designation helps families identify communities that truly embrace individualized care. “When seeking out long-term care, many older adults and their families want communities that empower residents and honor their preferences, but these person-centered approaches can be difficult for families to assess from a website or visit,” said Cortes.

The designation is supported by The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation, the only philanthropic organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to advancing person-centered care in residential communities for older adults. The award honors the legacy of Robert Nathan Mayer, PhD, whose pioneering work emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of older adults and creating care environments that respect their individuality, autonomy, and choices.

About Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences Boca Raton
Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences Boca Raton is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community developed by Federation CCRC Development, an independent 501(c)(3) associated with the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Highly secure, with restricted gated access, Sinai is located on the 100-acre Federation campus, the largest land-based Federation in the country. Sinai provides a superior lifestyle for active adults through a focus on wellness, health services and a wide variety of sophisticated activities. While guided by Jewish faith and heritage, Sinai’s progressive senior living community in Boca Raton welcomes people of all faiths, beliefs and cultures. Learn more at www.SinaiResidences.com.

 

About the Mayer-Rothschild Foundation Designation of Excellence

The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation Designation of Excellence in Person-Centered Long-Term Care initiative has developed processes, tools and standards to guide and evaluate nursing homes, assisted living communities, and dementia and memory care residences in their journey to excellence. This outcomes-driven designation is rooted in a strong evidence-based foundation developed through rigorous research and evaluation completed by the HIGN team at NYU Meyers with funding from The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation. Learn more at https://hign.org/programs/mayer-rothschild-foundation-designation-excellence.

 



July 21, 2026 – HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital is helping grow the region’s healthcare workforce as 29 new resident physicians begin the next phase of their medical training this month in Sanford. Many of the incoming physicians are relocating to the area, where they will live, work and become part of the community they serve.

“I’m so excited to be doing my residency in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital,” said Dr. Peter Gallos, who moved from Blacksburg, Virginia, and is originally from Illinois. “As a kinesiology and health undergrad, and with my master’s research in neuro-adaption and biomaterial development, I had an appreciation for human movement at the gross and cellular level. In addition to wanting superior anatomical and biomechanical training while also remaining procedurally conservative as provider, there was only one field that fit that mold for me, and that was physical medicine and rehabilitation.”

Graduate medical education programs play an important role in addressing Florida’s growing physician shortage, as more than 50% of residents and fellows, on average, choose to establish their practices in the communities where they complete their training.

“We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of residents,” HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital’s Internal Medicine Residency Program Associate Director Dr. Allison Ferrara. “We look forward to watching them grow into the next generation of internists serving our community.”

Along with the high-demand fields of internal medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation, some of the hospital’s new residents are in a Transitional Year Residency Program that provides recent medical school graduates with a year of comprehensive clinical skills training before they go on to more specialized training.

“Welcoming our newest class of resident physicians is always an exciting time, and this year is especially meaningful as our internal medicine residency program reaches its full complement of residents for the first time,” said HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program Dr. Joshua Shultz. “This milestone reflects the dedication of our faculty, hospital leadership and clinical teams to building a new program that attracts outstanding physicians and prepares them to deliver exceptional, compassionate care.”

“Being part of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital is a dream come true,” said Dr. Waqar Haider, who moved from Phoenix, Arizona, and is originally from Karachi, Pakistan. “I have chosen to specialize in internal medicine because of the variety and complexity of patient presentations. I enjoy managing multiple medical conditions at the same time and the critical thinking involved in balancing treatment plans.”

Resident physicians care for patients under the guidance of experienced physician faculty while gaining hands-on experience with advanced technologies, evidence-based medicine and multidisciplinary care teams. Their training helps ensure patients receive high-quality, compassionate care while preparing physicians to practice in their chosen specialties.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to be part of the growth of the graduate medical education program at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital,” said HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital GME Director Krystal Hernandez. “Having witnessed our evolution from day one, I am immensely proud of how far we have come, and we have an exciting road ahead with dynamic new programs on the horizon. Welcoming this year’s incoming class of residents highlights our commitment to fostering a diverse, collaborative environment across all of our specialties.”

HCA Florida Healthcare’s graduate medical education programs train more new doctors than any other program in the state. With 153 GME programs across 29 teaching hospitals, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 2,580 residents and fellows are the next generation of doctors local communities will depend on for care.

“HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to developing tomorrow’s physician leaders,” said HCA Healthcare North Florida Division Vice President of Graduate Medical Education Cheryll Albold, PhD. “By investing in graduate medical education, we’re not only training exceptional physicians, we are also strengthening the future of healthcare across North Florida.”

For more information about healthcare services near you, visit hcafloridahealthcare.com.

About HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital

HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital, a 221-bed acute care hospital, Level II Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center, serves the communities of Seminole, west Volusia and Lake and Orange counties. The hospital provides the only full-service cardiovascular program in Seminole and west Volusia, including open heart surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and comprehensive diagnostic services. Other specialized services include orthopedic and spine care, robotic surgery, acute inpatient medical rehabilitation and complete imaging services. HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital is located 3.6 miles east of I-4 between S.R. 46 and Highway 17-92 in Sanford. The hospital provides 24/7 emergency care at its main location as well as at HCA Florida Heathrow Emergency located at 4525 International Parkway in Sanford, HCA Florida Mount Dora Emergency located at 16831 US-441 in Eustis,  HCA Florida Casselberry Emergency, located at 2560 S US-Hwy 17-92 in Casselberry, HCA Florida West Volusia Emergency, located at 2490 S Woodland Blvd in DeLand, and HCA Florida Wekiva Emergency, located at 2757 W Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka.

 

About HCA Florida Healthcare

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is one of Florida’s leading healthcare networks. Its 11,200 physicians and 80,000 colleagues work together to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care through nearly 12.8 million patient encounters annually. With more than 670 connected care sites—including hospitals, physician practices, urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms—across the state, HCA Florida Healthcare helps expand access to the specialized care patients need. HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals are annually recognized for excellence in patient experience and clinical outcomes, including three facilities ranked in the top 2% nationally for overall clinical excellence. A leader in healthcare education, HCA Florida Healthcare supports the next generation of healthcare workers through its 153 graduate medical education programs across 29 hospitals. In 2025, the network provided more than $1.1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.5 million to community organizations across the state. Visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com. HCA Florida Healthcare is helping build Florida’s future physician workforce through one of the state’s largest graduate medical education programs. Across Florida, HCA Florida Healthcare offers 153 residency and fellowship programs at 29 teaching hospitals, training more than 2,580 residents and fellows in a wide range of specialties. As part of HCA Healthcare’s national GME enterprise, physicians receive comprehensive clinical training focused on innovation, quality outcomes and compassionate patient care.



July 20, 2026 – HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital has earned Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Certification.

HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital underwent a rigorous, onsite review on June 26, 2026. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including stroke program leadership, rapid assessment and treatment processes, interdisciplinary clinical care, patient and caregiver education, performance improvement activities, and ongoing monitoring of patient outcomes. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewer also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“Primary Stroke Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing executive, Joint Commission. “We commend HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital for using Joint Commission’s certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“We congratulate HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

“This certification is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our physicians, nurses and entire care team, who work every day to ensure patients experiencing a stroke receive timely, high-quality care,” said Paige Laughlin, Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital. “Earning The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification reflects our commitment to providing advanced stroke care close to home and our ongoing investment in clinical excellence. Our community can be confident that when every minute matters, they have access to nationally recognized stroke care right here in Lehigh Acres.”

This certification is the result of months of collaboration among our quality teams, emergency department, physicians, nurses, imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, rehabilitation services, EMS partners and countless others who worked together to build and strengthen our stroke program. Because of your efforts, we are now better equipped than ever to serve our community in moments that matter most.

For more information, please visit Joint Commission’s website.

About HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital

HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission with the Gold Seal of Approval and has earned The Joint Commission’s Primary Stroke Center Certification, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based stroke care. An 88-bed acute-care facility, HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital has proudly served its five-county community in Lehigh Acres, Florida, since 1965. Committed to the care and improvement of human life, the hospital has been named a Patient Safety Excellence Award winner for the past eight years. HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital provides specialty care services that include cardiology, emergency care, gastroenterology, imaging services, infectious disease, inpatient physical and occupational therapy, neurology, orthopedic care, joint replacement, minimally invasive robotic surgery, podiatry, surgery, tele-psychiatry, vascular care, wound care, and certified stroke care. As part of the largest network of physicians, nurses and care sites in Florida, HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital’s experienced care teams are focused on listening to patients, understanding their needs and delivering a personalized care experience.

Learn more about HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital and follow the hospital on Facebook.

About HCA Florida Healthcare

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,100 experienced doctors and more than 84,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care through more than 11.6 million patient encounters each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $903 million in uncompensated care and contributes $2.2 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly-trained specialists, including the state’s largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.



The American Heart Association presents the Get With The Guidelines® awards for proven dedication to best practices, life-saving care

July 20, 2026 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has received four American Heart Association quality achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart conditions and stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Heart conditions are a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines® puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest science-backed guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.

“Caring for our community’s children is both our privilege and our purpose,” said Randy Harmatz Matott, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “Receiving recognition through the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality and safety in cardiovascular care. We are proud to equip our care teams with the resources and expertise needed to provide timely, evidence-based treatment that helps our young patients have healthier futures.”

This year, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital received these achievement awards:

  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold – Neonate/Infant
  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold- Pediatric
  • Target: CPR
  • Get With The Guidelines® – Resuscitation Gold – Adult

“These awards reflect Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Nicklaus Children’s can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”

About Nicklaus Children’s Health System Where Your Child Matters Most ™

For more than 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s Health System has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. Nicklaus Children’s provides pediatric care across a growing network of hospital and community-based partnerships, including care within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center, select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Fort Lauderdale and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Coral Springs each located on the campuses of Broward Health. The hospitals and their network of more than 35 outpatient care locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. outpatient locations include an array of urgent care, pediatric primary care and subspecialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS).Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children’s is an academic and clinical affiliate of the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Nicklaus Children’s is home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Neuroscience Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The 474-bed system is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children’s also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with more than 40 pediatric specialties and an ambulatory surgery center. For more information, visit nicklauschildrens.org.

 

About Get With The Guidelines

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 18 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.