August 20, 2026 – All four Broward Health hospitals have been recognized as High Performing in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals ratings, highlighting the health system’s breadth of specialized care and commitment to quality outcomes and patient experience.

“Every one of these ratings is based on measures that matter most to patients and families: outcomes, safety and care experience,” said Evan Boyar, M.D., chief medical officer of Broward Health. “These recognitions reflect our commitment to achieving strong results and giving patients confidence that they are receiving high-quality care close to home.”

The annual U.S. News & World Report ratings evaluate hospitals nationwide using measures that include patient outcomes, preventable complications, nursing care and patient experience. A High Performing designation recognizes hospitals that demonstrate exceptional performance in a specific specialty, procedure or condition.

Broward Health hospitals received eight High Performing designations across a range of specialties and conditions:

Broward Health North

  • High Performing in Rehabilitation
  • High Performing in Hip Replacement
  • High Performing in Stroke

Broward Health Coral Springs

  • High Performing in Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma
  • High Performing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • High Performing in Diabetes

Broward Health Imperial Point

  • High Performing in Colon Cancer Surgery

 

Broward Health Medical Center

  • High Performing in Aortic Valve Surgery

In addition to its three High Performing designations, Broward Health North’s rehabilitation program ranked 17th in Florida, recognizing the expertise of the team helping patients rebuild strength, regain function and move forward in their recovery.

Together, the eight High Performing recognitions reflect the range of specialized services available throughout Broward Health and the distinct strengths of each of its four hospitals.

The recognition adds to a growing list of achievements for Broward Health and underscores the health system’s commitment to delivering high-quality care close to home.

 

About Broward Health
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts four hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.

Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of over $2 billion and annually provides over $554 million in charity and uncompensated care.



August 20, 2026 – Wellington Regional Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Sepsis Certification, demonstrating its commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for patients diagnosed with sepsis.

Wellington Regional Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review in 2026. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including program management, early identification and treatment protocols, and the delivery and coordination of clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts, providers, measurement specialists and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews with staff and leadership.

“Sepsis Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” said Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer for The Joint Commission. “We commend Wellington Regional Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher-quality and more compassionate care for the individuals it serves.”

“We are proud to receive Sepsis Certification, which reflects our team’s dedication to delivering timely, evidence-based care for patients facing life-threatening infections,” said Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center. “This achievement highlights the collaboration of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams who work diligently to identify sepsis early, initiate rapid treatment and improve outcomes for our patients.”

To earn this certification, Wellington Regional Medical Center implemented standardized protocols for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and focused on continuous staff education and performance improvement. The program emphasizes rapid response, adherence to clinical guidelines and ongoing monitoring to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

 

About Wellington Regional Medical Center

Wellington Regional Medical Center is located in Wellington, Florida. It is a 235-bed, acute care hospital, owned by a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc., a highly respected healthcare management organization. Wellington Regional is proud to have provided high quality healthcare services to the residents of Palm Beach County since 1986. As a community hospital, accredited by The Joint Commission, Wellington Regional prides itself on its continued commitment to remain on the forefront of advanced technologies and expand programs and services to meet the needs of the growing community it serves.

 

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“As precision medicine continues to evolve, we need to think beyond identifying individual mutations and begin understanding the broader biologic context in which those mutations occur,” said Chinmay T. Jani, M.D., medical oncologist at Sylvester and lead author of the study. “Our findings suggest that age may be an important piece of that puzzle. By better understanding how tumors change across the lifespan, we can continue refining how we interpret biomarkers, develop new therapies and personalize treatment strategies for patients with lung cancer.” Photo by Sylvester

Large international analysis suggests age may influence lung cancer biology and could help guide more personalized treatment strategies

MIAMI – Aug. 20, 2026– Younger adults with non-small cell lung cancer are significantly more likely than older patients to have genetic alterations that can be matched with targeted therapies, according to a large international study led in part by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The findings will be presented Sept. 14, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer.

Analyzing genomic and immune data from 14,246 patients, researchers from Sylvester, Labcorp and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found nearly 58% of younger patients had guideline-recommended actionable alterations, compared with about 45% of patients age 55 and older, suggesting age may be an important factor in understanding tumor biology and tailoring treatment.

Key Findings:

  • Younger adults were more likely to have molecular changes that can be matched with existing targeted therapies.
  • Younger patients were more likely to have ALK, ROS1 and EGFR alterations, which can help guide treatment decisions.

These findings can help physicians better identify which patients may benefit from targeted therapies and support more personalized treatment plans.

Older patients showed a different pattern. Their tumors were more likely to have KRAS-related changes and a higher tumor mutational burden, meaning the cancer carried more mutations overall.

Researchers also found age-related differences in immune markers, including LAG3 and TIGIT, which are being studied as possible targets for future immunotherapy strategies.

The findings point to a gradual shift in tumor biology with age, not a hard divide between younger and older patients.

“As precision medicine continues to evolve, we need to think beyond identifying individual mutations and begin understanding the broader biologic context in which those mutations occur,” said Chinmay T. Jani, M.D., medical oncologist at Sylvester and lead author of the study. “Our findings suggest that age may be an important piece of that puzzle. By better understanding how tumors change across the lifespan, we can continue refining how we interpret biomarkers, develop new therapies and personalize treatment strategies for patients with lung cancer.”

“Age should be considered alongside traditional biomarkers when evaluating treatment options for patients with lung cancer,” said Gilberto Lopes, M.D., Sylvester’s chief of medical oncology, associate director and medical director for international affairs and senior author of the study. “As we learn more about the factors that influence how individual tumors behave, we can make more informed treatment decisions and continue advancing truly personalized cancer care.”

The study supports broader use of comprehensive genomic profiling, especially for younger adults diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. Testing can help doctors identify whether a tumor has a genetic driver that may respond to a targeted therapy.

The researchers also saw consistent age-related patterns across multiple ancestry groups, strengthening the evidence that age may influence the molecular drivers of lung cancer.

Younger adults generally fall outside current lung cancer screening eligibility criteria. Research like this can help identify high-risk populations and inform future efforts to expand or refine screening guidelines to support earlier detection.

Age may help explain why lung cancers behave differently from one patient to another. The findings could help researchers refine how doctors interpret biomarkers and choose more individualized treatment strategies.

Researchers say the results add to growing evidence that precision medicine should account not only for what mutations are present, but also for how tumor biology changes over a patient’s lifetime.

Read more about Sylvester’s efforts to advance cancer research through big data on the InventUM blog and follow @SylvesterCancer on X for the latest news on its research and care.

Conference: IASLC 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Sept. 12-15, 2026

Poster Title: “Age and biomarkers: divergent genomic drivers and immune phenotypes across 14,246 real-world NSCLC patients”

Authors: A complete list of authors is available here.



Aug. 19, 2026 – Healthcare Network has received $366,000 from the Naples Children Foundation (NCF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, to strengthen children’s behavioral health workforce by supporting two full-time post-master’s registered behavioral health clinicians over the next two years.

Through this grant, Healthcare Network will address some of the biggest barriers that keep aspiring behavioral health professionals from pursuing a career in mental health counseling or social work such as providing paid registered internships and offering an accessible way to obtain supervised clinical experience required for licensure. In addition to supporting intern salaries, the funding covers clinical supervision, licensure exam preparation, examination fees, and other professional development resources that help emerging mental health counselors and social workers successfully transition into fully licensed behavioral health providers.

This grant is part of NCF’s innovative Registered Intern Workforce Pilot program, an initiative investing $2 million to address Southwest Florida’s shortage of licensed behavioral health professionals serving children and families. The initiative expands clinical training opportunities, increases access to children’s behavioral health services, and creates a sustainable pipeline of licensed professionals.

Representing an ongoing investment in Healthcare Network’s behavioral health workforce, NCF has supported two additional post-master’s clinicians and provided annual stipends for students completing their master’s internship or bachelor’s practicum since 2024, increasing Healthcare Network’s capacity to provide timely behavioral health care to children and families in Collier County.

“We are grateful to the Naples Children Foundation for its continued investment in our behavioral health program,” said Jamie Ulmer, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Network. “This funding makes it possible for more children and families to receive timely behavioral health services while helping us develop the next generation of licensed clinicians. NCF has always been a visionary partner that not only responds to today’s needs but also invests in long-term solutions that will strengthen our community for years to come.”

 For more information on Healthcare Network’s behavioral health program, the services offered or to make an appointment, please visit HealthcareSWFL.org or call 239-658-3000. For inquiries about open register behavioral health intern positions, please contact HResources@HealthcareSWLF.org.

 About Healthcare Network

Since 1977, Healthcare Network has distinguished itself as a premier patient-centered medical and dental home. Offering the highest level of coordinated care to all ages, Healthcare Network plays an integral role in keeping the entire community healthy, providing quality and comprehensive care and financial assistance when needed. With practices located throughout Collier County, primary health care services include family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dental care and pharmacy as well as behavioral health counseling for both adults and children. Additionally, the organization’s community health workers bring health and social services directly to underserved families. For more information, visit HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-658-3000.

About Naples Children Foundation

The Naples Children Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable children in Collier County. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCF has impacted nearly 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 420,000 children with the services and resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions, NCF supports programs that ensure every child can thrive. NCF’s unique approach, which bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community – one issue at a time.

 

For additional information on the Naples Children Foundation, please contact Madison Blasco at madison@napleschildrenfoundation.org or 239-325-2975



On August 18, 2026, The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Medical Center, in partnership with Jackson Health Foundation, celebrated the Karlie Kloss Center for Maternal Health, a newly renovated space designed to provide pregnant patients across South Florida with timely, specialized obstetrical care in a modern, welcoming, and supportive environment. The Center includes a newly renovated Obstetric Emergency Room (OB-ER) and was made possible through a philanthropic gift from supermodel, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former patient Karlie Kloss and her husband, Joshua Kushner.

The reimagined Karlie Kloss Center for Maternal Health is designed around the needs of pregnant patients and families, particularly during urgent and vulnerable moments of pregnancy. It features updated patient rooms, enhanced clinical spaces, and an improved clinical environment, designed to support timely, specialized care supporting over 4,300 babies and families a year with greater comfort, privacy, and dignity throughout their experience.

Kloss, who delivered her children at The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial, chose to support the renovation as a way to give back to the health system that cared for her family, while helping ensure future generations of mothers receive exceptional care in an environment that reflects the world-class expertise of Jackson’s maternity teams.

“Jackson Memorial will forever be woven into the story of our family. It’s where Josh and I welcomed all three of our children, and where we experienced firsthand the extraordinary compassion, expertise, and care of this remarkable team,” Kloss said. “We are deeply honored to give back to a place that has given our family so much, and to help create a space where mothers and families across South Florida can feel safe, seen, supported, and cared for during some of life’s most meaningful and vulnerable moments.”

The opening of the Karlie Kloss Center for Maternal Health is the latest investment in The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial’s nationally recognized maternity program.

“This remarkable gift represents more than a renovation or a beautiful new space – it’s an investment in every mother who walks through their doors, every baby welcomed into the world, and every caregiver dedicated to providing high-quality care at Jackson,” said Flavia Llizo, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Jackson Health Foundation. “We’re deeply grateful to Karlie, Joshua, and their entire family for their generosity, and for believing in Jackson’s mission.”

The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial continues to expand access to comprehensive, equitable maternal healthcare through services like maternal-fetal medicine, neonatal intensive care, prenatal care, and more. Key features of the hospital include:

  • Florida’s leading academic program for maternal-fetal medicine, fetal surgery, and advanced neonatal care.
  • Precision medicine from prenatal diagnosis and fetal intervention to whole genome sequencing for rare diseases.
  • Expert care for two to three times more complex obstetrical cases than any other hospital in South Florida.
  • A fully renovated labor and delivery unit with 20 private rooms, an obstetric recovery area with 10 bays, and an OB ER with 11 private patient exam rooms, featuring one dedicated ultrasound room.

“Every day, our obstetric emergency team cares for women during some of the most urgent and vulnerable moments of pregnancy,” said Joanne Ruggiero, senior vice president and CEO of Jackson Memorial Medical Center. “This renovation creates a new and improved environment that better reflects the extraordinary care our doctors, nurses, and staff provide every day, while enhancing the experience for the families who entrust us with their care. We’re extremely grateful to Karlie, Joshua, and their entire family for this gift that will positively impact thousands of South Florida families, and Jackson babies, for generations to come.”

Beyond her work in fashion and business, Kloss has dedicated much of her philanthropic career to expanding opportunities for women and young people and improving access to education and healthcare. In 2015, she launched Kode with Klossy, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of young people pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics. She also launched the Gateway Coalition, which directs funding and resources to frontline organizations working to preserve access to essential healthcare for women and families. Most recently, Kloss joined the Board of Directors of the Lotus Endowment Fund, the supporting foundation of Lotus House. Together, these efforts reflect her longstanding commitment to creating opportunity, improving health outcomes, and ensuring women and families have access to the resources and care they need to thrive.