Effective April 1, 2021 Glenn Flores, M.D., FAAP, director of the Health Services Research Institute at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and professor of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
 
Dr. Flores will also serve as senior associate dean for child health, the George E. Batchelor Endowed Chair in Child Health, and physician-in-chief at Holtz Children’s Hospital at UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
 
A career focused extensively on disparities in health care caused by poverty, racism, and lack of access for underserved populations has led Dr. Flores very naturally to South Florida. As he says, “For me it’s the ultimate gift to be able to care for children and to improve their lives and well-being through clinical care, research, teaching, advocacy, and ensuring that we provide equitable care to all children.” 
 
After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College, Dr. Flores received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a residency in pediatrics at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and a fellowship in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Yale University School of Medicine.
 
He has served in leadership positions in pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and as distinguished chair of health policy research at the Medical Research Institute in Minneapolis and as a research affiliate at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. 
“Dr. Flores will be an extraordinary leader for our Department of Pediatrics’ mission to serve the children and families of South Florida and beyond,” said Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School of Medicine. “Our faculty has long worked to improve these families’ access to our high-quality care – at Holtz Children’s Hospital, in our facilities including the groundbreaking Pediatric Mobile Clinic, and at community health fairs – and to advocate for child health at the local, state, and federal level.”
 
Dr. Flores is a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program and the editorial board of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. He is director of the Academic Pediatric Association’s Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID), funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
 
Dr. Flores has received many awards for his research and advocacy at the national level, and his more than 240 publications address a wide range of research and policy issues, including racial and ethnic disparities in children’s health and health care, health policy, insuring the uninsured, health services research, population health, language barriers in health care, and childhood obesity. Based on his pioneering work on parent mentors, he drafted federal legislation that became law in 2018 and provides $120 million in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services grants to states to leverage parent mentors to insure uninsured children.
 
Dr. Flores, who begins his new position on April 1, 2021, succeeds Judy Schaechter, M.D., M.B.A., as chair of pediatrics. Dr. Schaechter was named a 2020-21 Health Policy Fellow by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Academy of Medicine.
 


The pandemic continues to affect the health of everyone, as evidenced by the dramatic drop in all routine screenings and tests.

At Broward Health, colorectal cancer screenings plummeted nearly 60% systemwide from 2019 due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the screenings, potentially life-saving diagnoses may be missed that could lead to less favorable long-term outcomes. Diagnosis at a later stage, decreases the rate of survivorship, while treatments work best when colorectal cancer is detected at an early stage. Nine in 10 patients whose colorectal cancers are found early and undergo treatment are still alive five years later.
 
“Colorectal cancer screenings are extremely important because colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women,” said Joseph Corallo, M.D., medical director of the Colorectal Center at Broward Health Coral Springs. “Early detection of colon cancer is critical because your lifetime survival is much higher if it is caught in an early stage, and it may be as high as 90%.”
 
While colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and most often found in those 50 years or older, significant cancer health disparities among minority populations are also leading to higher rates of colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer disproportionately affects the Black community. Blacks are nearly 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and approximately 40% more are likely to die from it than most other groups. When actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at 43, he not only became part of the 40% statistic, he also is part of the younger age group.
 
“It is a concern that more and more younger patients are being diagnosed with colorectal cancers,” said Dr. Corallo. “Again, screenings are obviously key to early detection.”
 
As many as one in 13 adults experience bowel control issues and nearly half of the population has hemorrhoids by age 50. These problems are rarely discussed and may have a dramatic impact on quality of life or could even lead to colon cancer. Many people incorrectly assume they are a normal consequence of aging or are normal health issues for women after childbirth.
 
Broward Health’s colon and rectal specialists are fully trained surgeons with board certification in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of benign and malignant colon and rectal conditions. They are focused on helping patients achieve comfort through accurate diagnosis, specialized treatment and follow-up care. Emphasis is placed on the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer via screening and surveillance programs. Special attention is given to the family history to assess for a possible genetic-familial component to colorectal cancer and polyps including genetic counseling and testing. 


March 29, 2021 – While some students spent spring break at the beach or relaxing at home, a group of dedicated nursing students volunteered their time to assist patients at Broward Health vaccine sites. 
 
Through a community partnership with Broward College, Nova Southeastern University and Keiser University, Broward Health is leading a coordinated effort to combat COVID-19 and help train the next generation of nurses. 
 
“Our partnership with these three prominent nursing programs has been a tremendous success,” said Charese Crawford, RN, regional manager of clinical education & support services at Broward Health. “I have been very impressed with the caliber of the nursing students. They are not only highly skilled and helpful, but they’ve also shown an incredible amount of dedication and professionalism.” 
 
Nearly 150 nursing students were granted a unique learning opportunity and have been receiving hands-on experience, along with invaluable mentorship and training, while fulfilling clinical training hours necessary to graduate. 
 
Jade Stone NSU Nursing Student working at Broward Health North’s vaccination site
 
Jade Stone, from NSU, is among the nursing students on the frontline of vaccine distribution. “It’s so important for us as nursing students to do our part, even during spring break,” said Stone. “I enjoy meeting the patients and hearing their stories. This is an amazing learning opportunity and so gratifying and fulfilling. I grew up with the healthcare industry with my grandparents and mom so for me this is a calling.”
 
The dedicated nursing students have been in rotation at three of Broward Health’s vaccination sites, one of which includes Inter Miami CF Stadium at Lockhart Park in Fort Lauderdale.
 
Cheryl Wild-Norvell RN, MSN, MBA Chief Nursing Officer Broward Health North
 
“We are so privileged to be working with these respected nursing programs,” said Cheryl Wild, RN, chief nursing officer, Broward Health North. “When we opened our vaccination sites, we saw a huge opportunity for the nursing students to come in and not only obtain their clinical hours but also assist us in our mission to serve the community.” 
 
At the vaccination sites, students rotate through various stations, from signing patients in, escorting them to the seating areas, administering the vaccine and observing them post-vaccine. 
 
Alexandra Ruiz NSU Nursing Student working at Broward Health North’s vaccination site
 
“I love the contact we have with patients and am proud to be part of Broward Health, helping the community receive the vaccine,” said NSU nursing student Alexandra Ruiz. “We are learning so much working closely with physicians and nurses. To think that every vaccine is saving a life is huge. I am so happy to see so many in our community getting the vaccine.”
 
 

 



Using state-of-the art technology that promises to become tomorrow’s standard of care, neurosurgeons at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, Frank Vrionis, M.D., and Timothy Miller, M.D., have successfully performed their first robotic-assisted spine surgery. The Institute, located at Baptist Health’s Boca Raton Regional Hospital, is the only facility in Palm Beach and Broward counties to offer this advanced technology and one of only two facilities between Central Florida and the Florida Keys.

The patient, a man in his 70s, underwent a minimally invasive spinal fusion to stabilize the lumbar area of his back using the Mazor X™ Robotic Guidance Platform.
 
“Robotics allow us to perform minimally-invasive surgeries with increased safety and precision, leading to less blood loss, less post-operative pain and faster recovery,” says neurosurgeon Frank Vrionis, M.D., the Institute’s director. “With our new sophisticated robotic system, we will be able to perform more minimally invasive procedures safely and effectively. This is particularly beneficial to our aging population, because it reduces the risk of infection and shortens hospital stays.”
 
The robotics platform assists surgeons by combining 3D pre-operative planning, robotic guidance and intra-operative surgical navigation for precise placement of spinal implants and screws. “The margin of error is very small in the spine,” Dr. Vrionis says. “If you’re placing hardware in the spine, there are times when one millimeter is all it takes to leave a person with weakness or a neurological problem. The more precise we can be, the better.”
 
The Mazor X™ Robotic Guidance Platform provides surgeons comprehensive information and visualization before ever making an incision. Using 3D imaging and computer analytics, the surgeon plans an optimal surgery in a CT-based 3D simulation of the patient’s spine. This means the angle, width and length of every screw are very specifically mapped for each patient and guided in real time during surgery.


New APDA Center at University of Miami Expands Services to Southern Florida Parkinson’s Disease Community,
Including Underserved Spanish-Speaking Population
 
March 29, 2021 – The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), the largest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) across the country through a network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, announces today the opening of a new APDA I&R Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The Center will serve the South Florida area, from Palm Beach Gardens to Miami, with a special focus on the Spanish-speaking community. The I&R Center joins APDA’s South Florida Chapter in serving people with PD in Southern Florida.
 
The APDA Information & Referral Center will provide additional resources to enhance outstanding programs and services already being offered. Each APDA I&R Center is a community resource that provides guidance to people with PD, their care partners, and families at all stages of the disease. The APDA I&R Center operates a telephone helpline accessible to people with PD, family members, healthcare professionals, and other community members. The Center serves as a vital resource of information regarding PD, current therapies, and emerging research, as well as opportunities for accessing local clinical trials for PD. 
 
There are now 20 APDA I&R Centers in the network and each one has a trained coordinator that connects people with local social service agencies and services that support people with PD and their families. George Dumenigo, LCSW, a clinical social worker and community outreach coordinator, has been appointed as the APDA I&R Coordinator. Mr. Dumenigo is bilingual and able to assist the Spanish-speaking PD community, who are often underserved when it comes to PD resources and care.
 
“We are the boots-on-the-ground. APDA is providing programs and services in the local communities and we are helping people every step of the way along their PD journey,” states Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO, APDA. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine so we can reach more people and expand our services in South Florida, especially our resources and services in Spanish. We’re thankful to Dr. Ihtsham ul Haq and the Department of Neurology for helping make this alliance come to life.”
 
Each APDA I&R Center also has a Medical Director who provides oversight and direction for the overall success of the Center. Serving in this role is Henry Moore, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Miller School and Director of Movement Disorders at Palm Beach County, Co-Director of Neurology Clinic at UHealth Boca Raton. “Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can be very overwhelming” states Dr. Moore. “We are pleased to work on this new center so together we can help more people impacted with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest.” 
To reach the APDA Information & Referral Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, please contact: GDumenigo@med.miami.edu  or 305-243-1865
 
To find other APDA Chapters and I&R Centers across the country, please visit the APDA website.
 
 
 
About the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) 
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the more than 1 million people in the US with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $207 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org