New multisociety expert consensus statement says safer technologies are available now and should become the standard for protecting healthcare workers.

July 14 2026 —Healthcare professionals performing minimally invasive procedures in fluoroscopy laboratories, often called “cath labs,” should no longer have to accept preventable radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries as part of their jobs, according to an expert consensus statement released today that is endorsed by six leading medical societies. 

Published today in JSCAI, the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR), and JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, “SCAI/ASE/HRS/SIR/SVS Expert Consensus Statement on Enhanced Radiation Protection: Time for Mandatory and Urgent Action” calls for hospitals, manufacturers, regulators, and professional societies to immediately adopt enhanced radiation protection technologies, modernize radiation safety standards, and strengthen monitoring and reporting practices to better protect the healthcare teams working in fluoroscopy laboratories.

Given the availability of safer technologies, the authors say broader implementation of enhanced radiation protection devices (ERPDs) is both an ethical responsibility and a necessary evolution of ALARA (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”), the longstanding radiation safety standard that exposures should be kept “as low as reasonably achievable.”

“For decades, we accepted occupational radiation exposure and the physical burden of heavy protective equipment as unavoidable realities of working in a fluoroscopy laboratory,” said David G. Rizik, MD, MSCAI, chair of the writing group. “That is no longer acceptable. Technologies available today can greatly reduce radiation exposure while also addressing the orthopedic injuries associated with traditional lead protection. The question is no longer whether these solutions exist. It is whether we are willing to make protecting healthcare workers the priority it deserves. This consensus makes clear that the time for implementation is now.”

ERPDs reduce radiation exposure through engineering controls rather than relying primarily on personal protective equipment. The consensus statement cites evidence that ERPDs can reduce operator and staff radiation exposure by up to 99 percent.

The statement cited a 2023 SCAI survey of interventional cardiologists, which found that nearly 60 percent reported orthopedic injuries and 17 percent reported limiting their time in the cath lab to reduce radiation exposure. Among women respondents, 28 percent reported being discouraged from working in the cath lab because of pregnancy or considering pregnancy, while 71 percent wanted the option to step away from the cath lab during pregnancy.

“Every clinician and staff member who leaves the fluoroscopy laboratory because of preventable injury or chronic occupational disease represents a loss of expertise that patients depend on, in addition to the immense pain and loss experienced by the clinician and their loved ones,” said James B. Hermiller, MD, MSCAI, cochair of the writing group. “Demand for minimally invasive procedures continues to grow, and the duration and complexity of these procedures are increasing. Maintaining a healthy, experienced workforce will be essential to ensuring patients continue to have access to the lifesaving care these teams provide.”

The statement calls for healthcare organizations and policymakers to:

  • Share responsibility among healthcare institutions, manufacturers, regulators, and professional societies for improving occupational safety in fluoroscopy laboratories.
  • Adopt ERPDs that can dramatically reduce occupational radiation exposure for physicians and staff.
  • Modernize federal and state radiation safety regulations to reflect today’s technology and evidence.
  • Measure and report radiation safety performance using real-time dosimetry and standardized quality metrics.
  • Design safer fluoroscopy laboratories by integrating enhanced radiation protection into imaging systems and procedure rooms instead of relying primarily on heavy wearable lead.
  • Expand education, training, and research to accelerate implementation and continuous improvement.

“Our goal is to ensure the best outcomes for patients as well as for the healthcare team that is operating within the fluoroscopy lab. Today’s enhanced radiation protection systems give us a clear opportunity to align policy, technology, and clinical practice around a safer standard. From healthcare systems to manufacturers, state legislatures and regulators, we all have a role in making sure these protections become part of the infrastructure used to deliver interventional care. This will ensure continued growth and access for these essential procedures,” said SCAI President J. Dawn Abbott, MD, MSCAI.

The multisociety expert consensus statement is endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), and the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS).

About the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions, established in 1978, stands as the primary nonprofit medical society dedicated to representing invasive and interventional cardiology. SCAI’s mission is to guide the global interventional cardiovascular community by fostering education, advocacy, research, and upholding standards for quality patient care. For more than 40 years, SCAI has exemplified professional excellence and innovation worldwide, cultivating a reputable community of over 5,000 members committed to advancing medical science and providing life-saving care for individuals, both adults and children, affected by cardiovascular disease. For more information, visit www.scai.org. 



Paley Institute makes history as the exclusive global launch center for the PRECICE Max (PMAX) Nail

July 14, 2026 – The Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute (Paley Institute), the world’s leading center for stature surgery, achieves another historic milestone with the first completed stature surgery utilizing the latest FDA-approved PRECICE Max (PMAX) nail.  As the exclusive global launch center for the technology, Paley Institute continues to lead the evolution of modern stature surgery – an advanced application of limb lengthening science pioneered over decades of orthopedic innovation.

Stature surgery is a safe procedure that permanently increases height using well-established orthopedic techniques.   A specialized surgeon places an internal lengthening device inside the bone, which gradually creates space for new bone and tissue to regenerate naturally. Modern devices such as the PMAX have transformed the experience, eliminating external hardware and enabling mobility throughout the recovery process.

The exclusive global launch of the PMAX nail by the Paley Institute places the latest technology at the institution that has pioneered many of the field’s innovations.  The PMAX builds on more than a decade of advancements in internal lengthening systems and is the most advanced device on the market, designed to further improve the stature surgery and recovery experience. The PMAX is currently available exclusively at the Paley Institute, where it was introduced by Dr. Dror Paley.

Dr. Paley is an internationally renowned surgeon who has spent more than four decades advancing the science of limb lengthening, deformity correction, and orthopedic reconstruction.  Widely regarded as the world’s foremost expert in the field, he has performed more limb lengthening procedures than any other surgeon worldwide and has helped establish many of the techniques now used internationally. While stature surgery represents just one application of limb lengthening science, patients from around the world seek care at the Paley Institute because of the expertise, safety protocols, and comprehensive support systems developed under Dr. Paley’s leadership.

“Modern stature surgery has evolved dramatically from the techniques people may associate with limb lengthening decades ago,” said Dr. Dror Paley, founder and director of the Paley Institute. “With PMAX, patients may return to full weight-bearing as soon as two weeks after surgery, and the technology continues to improve both recovery and patient experience.  As surgeons, our responsibility is not simply to perform the procedure, but to ensure patients are safely selected, thoroughly prepared, and supported throughout the entire journey.”

Research has shown that height dissatisfaction can have a meaningful impact on confidence, social experiences, and overall quality of life for some individuals. For carefully selected patients, stature surgery addresses a physical characteristic that cannot be changed through other interventions.  The Paley Institute emphasizes a balanced approach: recognizing the emotional impact height concerns may have while ensuring that surgery is pursued only when it is medically and psychologically appropriate.

“The surgery itself is only one part of the journey,” said Dr. Paley. “Our responsibility is to ensure patients are informed, prepared, and supported before, during, and after treatment. The best outcomes come from a partnership between the patient and the entire medical team.”

The introduction of PMAX marks a new milestone in the evolution of stature surgery and underscores the Paley Institute’s position as the global leader in stature surgery and limb lengthening innovation. The launch also reflects Dr. Paley’s longstanding role in shaping the field and advancing techniques that have transformed outcomes for patients worldwide.

About Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute

The Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute is internationally recognized for its excellence in orthopedic and spine care. The Paley Institute has a team of elite surgeons with expertise in limb lengthening, complex orthopedic reconstruction, innovative surgical techniques, and more. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Paley Institute provides comprehensive and personalized care for patients, combining advanced surgical approaches with specialized outpatient therapy and other services. The Paley Institute is a destination center having cared from patients from all 50 U.S. states and more than 110 countries. For more information, visit https://paleyinstitute.org/.

About St. Mary’s Medical Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC), part of the Palm Beach Health Network, is a 413-bed acute care hospital in West Palm Beach. The hospital has been serving Palm Beach County and the Treasure for more than 80 years.  SMMC is a Level 1 Trauma Center, a state-designated Pediatric Trauma Referral Center, certified Comprehensive Stoke Center, and has a level III NICU.

Pediatric services are provided at the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center, which is the only dedicated children’s hospital between Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. Along with 24/7 dedicated pediatric emergency and trauma care, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital’s medical staff consists of 160 pediatricians in 30 subspecialties.

To learn more about St. Mary’s Medical Center and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, visit www.stmarysmc.com, www.palmbeachchildrens.com or call 561-844-6300.



Through a $500,000 commitment, the Mendoza Family Fund, established in partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is advancing regenerative stem cell research and expanding treatment access at UHealth’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence.

On July 9, Fernando Mendoza and his family arrived at UHealth – University of Miami Health System ready to turn years of personal commitment into lasting change.

They toured the transplantation and cellular therapy laboratory, stood beside the researchers advancing the future of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment and gathered for a check presentation recognizing Fernando Mendoza’s $500,000 gift to support multiple sclerosis research at UHealth through the Mendoza Family Fund.

The funding will help advance regenerative stem cell treatments aimed not only at managing MS, but at potentially stopping disease progression and restoring function, while expanding patient access at UHealth and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

It was a milestone made possible by the determination and love of a family inspired to make a difference for millions around the world living with MS.

A Family’s Conviction

Elsa Mendoza lives with multiple sclerosis. Over the years, her son Fernando, Miami native and No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with brothers Alberto and Max, and their father, Dr. Fernando Mendoza, have channeled that reality into a national movement, galvanizing support for MS research, services and awareness. The Mendoza Family Fund is the next chapter.

“People sometimes ask me where resiliency comes from,” Fernando said. “The answer is not football. It’s always been my mom.”

He reflected on the moment he learned the full weight of his mother’s diagnosis.

“From that day forward, I never saw someone struggling with MS. I just saw my mom, the same person who encouraged us every day, who always put family first and who always put a smile on her face no matter how hard the day was,” he said.

Evoking the words he shared when he accepted the Heisman Trophy, Fernando spoke to what has guided his family’s purpose.

“My mom showed me what real toughness looks like. It’s quiet, it’s not loud, and it’s choosing hope. I might have been talking about football, but I was really talking about life,” he said.

“The Mendoza family has done something remarkable,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., CEO of UHealth and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami. “They have transformed a deeply personal experience into an act of extraordinary generosity that will touch lives far beyond their own. At UHealth and the Miller School, we are committed to honoring that trust through the quality of our science and the ambition of our care. We are proud to be their partners in this mission, and we are grateful for their belief in what we are building here.”

Where Discovery Meets Care

The Mendoza Family Fund supports National MS Society programs and services and advances research focused on cures and affordable treatment for people affected by MS. Fernando Mendoza’s initial $500,000 gift through the fund is supporting research at UHealth’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, a National MS Society-affiliated program and one of the Southeast’s most comprehensive MS care and research enterprises, serving more than 3,500 patients across South Florida, surrounding states and Latin America. Part of the University of Miami neurology and neurosurgery program ranked No. 23 nationally among 1,227 programs by U.S. News & World Report, the MS Center is led by Flavia Nelson, M.D.,professor of neurology and the Thomas F. Whigham-Joseph Berger Chair in Neuroimmunology.

Dr. Nelson serves as principal investigator for a first-of-its-kind U.S. clinical trial testing intrathecal stem cell transplantation for secondary progressive MS, a stage of the disease for which effective treatment options remain out of reach. Launching later this year, the Phase IIb trial will span four U.S. sites, including the Miller School, NYU, Harvard-Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California, as well as two sites in Israel. Built through a landmark collaboration with Denise L. Pereira, M.D., associate director for clinical operations in Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, the program reached a historic milestone in December 2025: the first hematopoietic stem cell transplant performed in an MS patient in Florida.

“Philanthropic investments like Fernando’s initial commitment through the Mendoza Family Fund allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Dr. Nelson. “They accelerate innovation, open doors to new clinical trials and help us bring promising therapies to patients faster, offering real hope to individuals and families living with this disease.”

Dr. Pereira spoke to the power of what has been built between their programs.

“What we have established between our transplantation program and Dr. Nelson’s MS Center is something rare: two centers of excellence working in true alignment, bringing together the best of cellular therapy and neurology for the benefit of MS patients. The Mendoza Family Fund amplifies everything we are capable of doing together.”

Reaching Those with Limited Access

The gift will also help advance the NG01 Expanded Access Program, a critical pathway for patients with advanced MS who do not qualify for standard clinical trials. By helping offset transplant costs and investing in specialized personnel, it ensures that financial barriers do not determine who has access to promising new treatment options.

“For many of our patients, access to cutting-edge treatment is about more than innovation,” Dr. Nelson said. “It is about preserving independence, maintaining quality of life and creating new possibilities for the future.”

Research That Shapes Generations

Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School, placed this gift within the context of the institution’s deepening commitment to neuroscience. The University of Miami has pledged more than $30 million to bolster basic science research, with a major infusion into neuroscience, reflecting its ambition to become one of the nation’s defining centers for understanding and treating neurological disease.

“Research may begin in the laboratory,” Dean Ford said, “but it is often fueled first by someone choosing to believe that a better future is possible. This gift has the potential to change lives for generations of patients and families.”

Jose Romano, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neurology, has reflected on what makes this program and moment distinctive.

“Discovery science is not an individual sport. We need interdisciplinary collaborations, because the knowledge in this field is expanding too rapidly for any one discipline to tackle alone,” he said.

A Partnership with Purpose

Bruce Bebo, Ph.D., chief research and medical affairs officer at the National MS Society, celebrated what the Mendoza family has set in motion.

“The Mendoza family did not just make a gift, he said. “They launched a fund, and the Mendoza Family Fund has already brought thousands of people behind them, helping move this discovery out of the lab and closer to real, affordable, accessible treatment for the nearly one million people in the United States living with MS.”

For Fernando, the gratitude behind his family’s generosity runs deeper than any number on a check.

“To the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and especially Dr. Nelson and your amazing team, thank you for taking care of families impacted by MS,” he said. “It means that parents have more reasons to believe they are going to have treatments and cures in their lifetimes, and that sons and daughters like my brothers and me can believe in a better future.”

To support innovative MS research and clinical care at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, visit this giving page. To stay connected to the Mendoza family efforts, follow @fernandomendoza on social media. For additional information about supporting UHealth’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence at University of Miami, email Tricia Keck.



By Pedro C. De Guzman, President and CEO, HCI College

Florida’s healthcare system continues to face significant pressure as demand for qualified nurses grows. At the same time, nursing education programs are being asked to do more than ever: expand access for aspiring nurses while ensuring graduates enter the workforce prepared to provide safe, high-quality patient care.

These priorities are often framed as competing interests. In reality, they are not mutually exclusive. The future of nursing education in Florida depends on our ability to create more opportunities for students without compromising the rigorous standards that define the nursing profession.

Expanding access does not mean lowering standards

One of the most persistent misconceptions about nursing education is that some educational pathways are inherently less rigorous than others. That is not the case.

All pre-licensure registered nursing programs, regardless of degree type, must prepare students to meet the same NCLEX standards and demonstrate the same level of clinical competence and patient safety. Nursing curricula are highly structured and regulated, covering pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, mental health, and the care of medically complex patients.

The expectation is consistent across all pathways: graduates must be prepared to enter practice as safe, competent registered nurses. The pathway may differ, but the standards and expected outcomes do not.

The challenge is access, not interest

Florida continues to see strong interest in nursing careers. The problem is not a lack of motivated students. Rather, many qualified applicants are unable to access nursing education because of faculty shortages, limited clinical placements, and enrollment caps.

As a result, capable individuals are often turned away not because they lack the ability to succeed, but because educational capacity is limited.

If Florida is to meet its growing healthcare needs and address the nursing workforce shortage, expanding access to nursing education must be a priority.

Increasing capacity while preserving quality

Expanding nursing program capacity does not require lowering academic or clinical expectations. Instead, it requires innovative approaches that preserve quality while creating additional opportunities for students.

Programs can responsibly increase access through multiple cohort schedules, hybrid learning models, expanded use of simulation, and flexible scheduling options that accommodate working adults and other non-traditional students.

High-fidelity simulation has become an especially valuable educational tool, allowing students to develop clinical judgment and critical thinking skills in realistic, controlled environments before entering clinical settings.

However, innovation must always be paired with accountability. Student progression should be based on demonstrated competency, clinical reasoning, and mastery of required skills—not simply time spent in a program. Ultimately, nursing program quality should continue to be measured by outcomes such as NCLEX performance, graduate readiness, employer satisfaction, and patient care outcomes.

Technology can help educate more future nurses, but it should enhance, not replace, the clinical preparation essential to safe nursing practice.

Meeting students where they are

Today’s nursing students are more diverse than ever. Many are working adults, parents, military veterans, career changers, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and other healthcare professionals seeking advancement opportunities.

These students bring valuable life and healthcare experience to the classroom, but they also balance employment, family obligations, and financial responsibilities. Flexible program structures, including evening, weekend, hybrid, and bridge pathways, can remove barriers that have little to do with academic ability and everything to do with life circumstances.

Creating pathways that meet students where they are expands access while strengthening Florida’s healthcare workforce.

A shared responsibility

Addressing Florida’s nursing shortage will require collaboration among educators, healthcare employers, policymakers, and regulators. No single institution or sector can solve this challenge alone.

The path forward is clear: expand access to high-quality nursing education while maintaining the rigorous standards that protect patient safety and ensure professional competence. By increasing educational capacity without compromising outcomes, Florida can prepare more qualified nurses to meet growing healthcare needs.

At HCI College, we believe expanding access and maintaining excellence are not competing priorities — they are both essential to building the nursing workforce Florida needs.

Pedro C. De Guzman is President and CEO of HCI College, a private, accredited postsecondary institution specializing in healthcare education. HCI College prepares future registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, and veterinary assistants through its campuses in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. With more than 40 years of experience in higher education, including 26 years in executive leadership roles, De Guzman has dedicated his career to advancing academic quality, student success, workforce development, and institutional growth.



Shane Strum, President & CEO, joins Broward Health leadership and the Broward Health Medical Center team to celebrate the opening of the hospital’s new Labor and Delivery Suite

Advancing Maternal Care with $4.5 Million Investment

JULY 14, 2026 –  – Broward Health Medical Center has completed a $4.5 million renovation of its Labor and Delivery Suite, modernizing 6,000 square feet on the hospital’s third floor to enhance the birthing experience for mothers, babies and their families.

“Broward Health Medical Center has been part of some of our community’s most meaningful moments, beginning with the birth of Broward County’s first hospital-born baby just days after our hospital opened in 1938,” said Manny Linares, CEO of Broward Health Medical Center. “We continue to build on that legacy by creating a modern, safe and welcoming environment designed around the needs of today’s families while reinforcing our commitment to and investment in exceptional maternal and newborn care for families in our community.”

The labor and delivery unit remained fully operational during the meticulously planned 10-month, three-phase construction project. Labor, delivery and recovery rooms, nursing stations, patient assessment areas, corridors and support spaces were all reimagined to enhance the care environment for patients, families and caregivers by improving functionality, comfort and efficiency while maintaining existing bed capacity. Other features include modernized medical headwall systems, updated medical gas infrastructure, state-of-the-art birthing lights, new patient and guest furnishings, and upgraded doors and contemporary finishes, including luxury vinyl tile and porcelain mosaic accents.

“Every birth is unique, and our goal is to ensure each family feels supported from the moment they arrive,” said Katina Brown-Burgess, D.O., Broward Health Medical Center’s medical director of obstetrics and gynecology during a recent open house for physicians, staff and the community. “These enhancements allow us to provide compassionate, high-quality care in an environment thoughtfully designed for both patients and caregivers. Combined with our 24-hour Obstetric Emergency Department and around-the-clock team of obstetric hospitalists, certified nurse-midwives, anesthesiologists and highly skilled labor and delivery nurses, families can feel confident they are receiving expert care every hour of every day.”

Through its partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Broward Health also offers families access to advanced pediatric and neonatal care without leaving the county. The collaboration includes Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at both Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health Coral Springs, providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns, along with pediatric specialists and dedicated pediatric emergency departments. This integrated model ensures mothers and babies can receive seamless, high-quality care from delivery through specialized neonatal treatment, if needed, all on the same campus.

Project partners for the updated Labor and Delivery suite included architect of record, Bermello Ajamil & Partners; Osborn Engineering, providing MEP and structural engineering services; and general contractor ANF Construction.

Broward Health Maternity Place at Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health Coral Springs were recently voted Favorite Labor and Delivery Hospitals in Broward County by South Florida Family Life Magazine.

For more information about maternal and newborn services at Broward Health Medical Center, visit BrowardHealth.org/Maternity.

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 $523 million in charity and uncompensated care.

For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.