HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Tampa General to celebrate commitment to food as medicine.

July 16, 2026 – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins joined John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General, and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian at Tampa General Hospital today to celebrate TGH’s commitment to food as medicine. During the visit, Couris signed the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again pledge, establishing Tampa General as the first hospital in the nation to formally commit to putting nutrition at the center of care.

“Here at Tampa General, we know that food is medicine. What our patients eat directly impacts their health, their recovery and their long-term wellness. By introducing patients to world-class, nutrient-dense, wholesome meals during their stay, we’re not only accelerating recovery, but we’re giving them the best possible chance at the best possible outcomes. We’re also establishing a foundation for healthy eating long after discharge,” said Couris. “It’s a true privilege to welcome Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Rollins to witness this transformation in action. We’re grateful for their efforts to spotlight the good work of this team and lead the nation in elevating the quality of food served in hospitals.”

“Hospitals exist to heal people, and the food they serve should help patients recover — not contribute to the chronic disease that brought so many there in the first place,” said Secretary Kennedy. “That’s why the Trump administration launched the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge. Every patient deserves real, nutritious food that supports healing. I commend Tampa General Hospital for leading by example and encourage every hospital to join us.”

“Real food starts with America’s farmers and ranchers, who produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump has made it clear that making America healthy again begins with putting wholesome, American-grown food back at the center of our institutions. USDA is proud to partner with Secretary Kennedy and HHS to ensure more wholesome, nutrient-dense food reaches our schools, hospitals, and communities. We are thrilled Tampa General is joining this pledge, because when we connect patients and families with American-grown foods, we strengthen public health while supporting the hardworking producers who make it all possible.”

Several years ago, Tampa General embarked on a journey to revolutionize hospital food service with a new menu. In partnership with Chef Zakarian, TGH launched a new world-class menu inspired by the Mediterranean diet, rooted in science and crafted for flavor, balance and recovery.

Chef Zakarian developed the menu in collaboration with Dr. Tanuja Sharma, TGH Medical Director of Integrative Medicine and Arts. Together, they created a dining experience where culinary excellence meets evidence-based nutrition.

“Every meal served in a hospital is an opportunity to nourish, to heal and to inspire healthier habits that last well beyond a patient’s stay,” said Chef Zakarian. “At Tampa General, we’ve shown that nutritious food can also be vibrant, delicious and deeply satisfying. It’s an honor to partner with a health system that understands food is an essential part of medicine and is setting a new standard for hospitals across the country.”

Tampa General’s new hospital menu follows clear procurement standards that align directly with the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again Pledge. There are no added or artificial sweeteners and no processed foods. The menu prioritizes whole foods, organic produce, and locally grown and harvested products.

As one of the nation’s premier academic health systems, Tampa General Hospital is committed to delivering world-class care, from advanced medicine to the food that fuels recovery. Tampa General’s focus on patient nutrition is one example of how the academic health system is reimagining care at every level, blending cutting-edge science with whole-person healing.



Expanding Access to Advanced Cardiac Care in the Community

JULY 15 2026 — Broward Health North has successfully performed its first Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) procedure using the Watchman FLX Pro device, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing expansion of advanced cardiovascular services.

“Our goal is to ensure that patients across the northeast region of Broward County have access to the most advanced cardiac treatment options available,” said Jonathan Nives, M.D., a cardiologist specializing in electrophysiology with the Broward Health Physician Group. “Bringing LAAO procedures to Broward Health North represents another important step forward in delivering comprehensive cardiovascular care.”

The LAAO procedure offers an important treatment option for patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), particularly those seeking an alternative to long-term use of blood-thinning medications. “By closing the left atrial appendage, where the majority of AFib-related blood clots form, the procedure is designed to significantly reduce the risk of stroke without the need for blood thinners,” said Dr. Nieves.

This milestone follows the recent launch of Broward Health North’s advanced electrophysiology program, and further demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to providing innovative, patient-centered cardiac care for our communities.

For more information about Broward Health’s cardiovascular services, visit BrowardHealth.org/Heart.



Study Confirms Focused Ultrasound Provides Effective, Durable Relief for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

July 15, 2026- Delray Medical Center is celebrating a major milestone in Parkinson’s disease research following the publication of a groundbreaking study in the July 2026 issue of The Lancet Neurology, one of the world’s leading clinical journals in neurology. The study confirms that staged bilateral magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an effective treatment option for appropriately selected patients with Parkinson’s disease, providing substantial and durable relief from debilitating motor symptoms.

The multicenter study, titled Safety and efficacy of staged, bilateral magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound pallidothalamic tractotomy for motor complications of Parkinson’s disease, was co-authored by Delray Medical Center physicians Dr. Arif Dalvi, neurologist and director of the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Center at Palm Beach Neuroscience Institute, and Dr. Lloyd Zucker, neurosurgeon at Brain and Spine Center South Florida.

Delray Medical Center was the number one enrolling site in the nation for the clinical trial, helping advance research that ultimately contributed to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of staged bilateral focused ultrasound treatment for Parkinson’s disease patients experiencing motor fluctuations and dyskinesia.

The study followed patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease and found that focused ultrasound treatment significantly improved motor function and reduced complications associated with the disease. Researchers reported that benefits were apparent within one month of treatment and remained durable through at least 12 months following the second procedure.

“This publication represents years of dedication to improving the lives of patients living with Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Arif Dalvi. “Focused ultrasound offers a truly innovative, incisionless treatment option for patients whose symptoms are no longer adequately controlled with medication. We are proud to have helped lead this important research and contribute to advancing care for patients around the world.”

Focused ultrasound uses targeted ultrasound waves, guided by MRI imaging, to precisely treat areas of the brain associated with Parkinson’s disease symptoms without the need for surgical incisions or implanted hardware.

“This study highlights the tremendous potential of focused ultrasound technology and the importance of ongoing clinical research,” said Dr. Lloyd Zucker. “Being able to offer patients a less invasive treatment option while helping define the future of Parkinson’s care is incredibly rewarding. The publication of these findings in The Lancet Neurology supports the significance of the work being done here at Delray Medical Center.”

The publication further reinforces Delray Medical Center’s role as a leader in neuroscience research and innovation. Through its participation in national and international clinical trials, the hospital continues to help bring promising new therapies to patients with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Dalvi, Dr. Zucker and the entire research team for their contributions to this landmark study,” said Heather Havericak, CEO of Delray Medical Center. “Serving as the leading enrollment site in the nation demonstrates our commitment to advancing medicine and expanding access to innovative treatments. This achievement reflects the expertise of our physicians and our dedication to providing patients with the most advanced care available.”

The Lancet Neurology is internationally recognized for publishing influential research that shapes neurological clinical practice and advances the understanding and treatment of diseases affecting the brain and nervous system.

About Delray Medical Center

Delray Medical Center, part of the Palm Beach Health Network, is a 536-bed acute care hospital, spanning 30 acres, employing over 1,700 employees, 700 physicians, serving southern Palm Beach County for over 40 years. As both a community hospital and state-designated Level I Trauma Center Delray Medical Center offers several specialized services including state-of-the art cardiac and vascular facilities, orthopedics, neurosciences, emergency care, and weight-loss surgery.

Pinecrest Rehabilitation and Outpatient Hospital at Delray Medical Center is the only state designated brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation program in the county by the State of Florida.  Delray Medical Center is also home to Fair Oaks Pavilion, a 66-bed adult psychiatry unit. For more information about our services, visit our website at www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.



L to R:David Theroux – CEO, Tracy Victory – Emergency Department Director, Temiela Blackman – Chief Quality Officer, Sandra Carrion-Colon- Nursing Supervisor and Dakota Redd – CNO

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Rural Recognition Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards recognize hospitals for their commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based stroke care while addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.

July 2026— Hendry Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has received 5 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, 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, HRMC qualified for the awards by demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving the quality of cardiovascular care.

“HRMC is committed to delivering high-quality care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely, appropriate care for heart attacks and strokes,” Sandra Carrion-Colon, “Get With The Guidelines programs help our teams put proven science into practice every day, supporting better outcomes so more people in Hendry county can live longer, healthier lives.”

This year, HRMC received these achievement awards:

Acute Heart Attack Ready GWTG Achievement Awards:

  • Coronary Artery Disease-STEMI Referring 2026 (Bronze)
  • Rural Coronary Artery Disease NSTE-ACS (Silver)
  • Coronary Artery Disease Chest Pain-(Silver Plus)
  • Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI (Gold)

Stroke

  • Rural Acute Stroke-(Gold)

“These awards reflect HRMC’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, HRMC 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.”

CONTACT:
Hendry Regional Medical Center | Megan Young | 863.983.2735 | myoung@hrmc.us



  • Researchers mapped immune cells and their interactions across multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions
  • The study identified five tumor microenvironment subtypes, or “ecotypes,” linked to tumor burden and outcomes
  • Ecotypes captured differences not fully explained by disease stage alone
  • Findings may support future personalized risk assessment and treatment strategies

July 14, 2026 – Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have created a comprehensive single-cell map of the tumor immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. The study provided new insights that may explain why patients with similar diagnoses often have differences in disease progression, treatment response and outcomes.

The study, published in Blood, was co-led by Robert Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Lymphoma/Myeloma and Experimental Therapeutics; and Linghua Wang, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Genomic Medicine, executive director and head of the Center for Cellular Language Intelligence, associate member of the James P. Allison Institute™, and focus area co-lead with the Institute for Data Science in Oncology.

“Our delineation of five distinct tumor microenvironment ecotypes in the bone marrows of patients with plasma cell disorders provides a new framework to understand the critical role of the host immune system in the biology of these diseases,” Orlowski said. “Importantly, this information may provide added prognostic value beyond our current models, which predominantly focus solely on tumor cells. We are hopeful this may help guide treatment selection and provide new avenues to improve host immune system health as part of our strategy to ultimately cure myeloma.”

Why study the immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells, which are a type of immune cell found in the bone marrow. Despite advances in treatment, myeloma is still largely incurable, highlighting a need to understand underlying factors of disease progression.

The researchers used advanced single-cell sequencing technologies to analyze bone marrow samples from 235 patients spanning precursor conditions, newly diagnosed disease and relapsed myeloma. The resulting atlas mapped immune cell populations and interactions across the disease spectrum, revealing five distinct subtypes, known as “ecotypes,” that have specific features.

How do the five ecotypes affect patient outcomes?

The researchers discovered that the five ecotypes capture meaningful insights into distinct signaling pathways and genetic programs that were not fully explained by disease stage alone. One was marked by limited immune infiltration, while others showed features of immune surveillance, cytotoxic T-cell activity, inflammation or immune cell stress.

These patterns may help explain why some tumors appear more visible to the immune system, while others grow in immune-suppressive environments that are less responsive to immune-based therapies. For example, some ecotypes were linked to tumor burden, survival and response to immunotherapies such as CAR T cell therapy and T cell engagers.

Notably, certain ecotypes that were enriched in advanced disease could already be detected in precursor conditions, meaning there might be a way to stratify patients at risk for future disease progression.

What does this mean for patients with multiple myeloma?

These findings demonstrate that multiple myeloma is shaped not only by cancer cells, but also by the immune cells surrounding them. Factoring in these differences may help researchers better stratify patients and design treatment strategies. The study also points to immune pathways involving inflammation, metabolic stress and immune suppression that could be studied as targets for future combination therapies.

Future studies will validate these ecotypes in larger patient populations to determine if they can be easily measured using available clinical tools. Additional work also is needed to examine whether specific ecotypes could help guide patient selection or treatment strategies.

“This work provides a comprehensive cellular roadmap of the immune landscape across multiple myeloma progression,” Wang said. “We hope this atlas will serve as a valuable resource for uncovering new mechanisms and therapeutic vulnerabilities in myeloma.”

***

This study was funded in part by the Riney Family Multiple Myeloma Research Fund from the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, the Myeloma Solutions Fund, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Break Through Cancer, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Brock Family Myeloma Research Fund, the Yates Ortiz Multiple Myeloma Fund, the Diane & John Grace Family Multiple Myeloma Research Fund, the Jake and Nina Kamin Endowment for Multiple Myeloma Research in Memory of Linda Chapman Golden, the Raymond Alexanian, M.D., Endowed Fellowship, the James B. & Marie R. and David & SaraAnne Baker Hopkins Research Endowment, and institutional funding. For a full list of collaborating authors, disclosures and funding sources, see the full paper in Blood.