Level I Children’s Surgery Verification distinguishes Joe DiMaggio’s Surgery Center for providing multidisciplinary, high-quality, patient-centered care to patients

July 7, 2021 – What makes surgery at a pediatric hospital top-notch? According to the American College of Surgeons, it is a commitment to quality care, appropriately and highly trained staff, participation in cutting-edge research, and leadership from surgeons who review the services’ surgical outcomes throughout the year. That commitment extends to meeting every child’s individual surgical needs with a care environment that offers optimal pediatric resources. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital personifies this commitment and was recently designated Level I Children’s Surgery Verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Children’s Surgery Verification (CSV) Program. That is ACS’s highest designation provided to a surgical center for its excellence in delivering care and continuous improvement to enhancing the structure, process and patient outcomes. As part of this designation, the hospital also participates in a national surgery registry where best practices are shared with other programs. 
 
“Achieving Level I speaks to the caliber of the surgical team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and attests to our capability for meeting the most complex surgical needs of our pediatric community,” said Jill Whitehouse, MD, Vice-Chief, Pediatric General Surgery, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “It also demonstrates our team’s passion for excellence and our dedication to safety and quality that extends to every patient we touch.” 
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of only two in the state with Level I verification, and joins an elite list of 33 hospitals nationwide with this honor. The CSV program is based on other nationally recognized American College of Surgeons quality improvement programs that have measurably improved surgical quality and have prevented complications, reduced costs and saved lives. CSV standards ensure that children facing surgery receive care under a multidisciplinary program with quality improvement and safety processes, data collection, and appropriate resources provided to them as patients at the hospital.
 
“This is an amazing achievement from our surgical team, a well-deserved recognition for the hospital and a major benefit to our community,” said Caitlin Stella, CEO, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. 
 
The ACS CSV program was developed to improve the quality of children’s surgical care by creating a system that allows for a prospective match of every child’s individual surgical needs with a care environment that has optimal pediatric resources. Verified centers must meet criteria outlined in the standards document, Optimal Resources for Children’s Surgical Care 2015. 
 
After submitting an application, centers seeking verification undergo an extensive site visit by an ACS team of surveyors. The surveyor teams consist of experienced children’s surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses who review the center’s structure, process, and clinical outcomes data. The current Optimal Resources for Children’s Surgical Care manual drives the application and is used as a guideline in conducting the survey.
 
 
 
ABOUT JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL:
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. A level one trauma center, it combines advanced technology, the expertise of board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered approach to heal the body, mind, and spirit of those it touches. The hospital’s nonprofit foundation focuses on philanthropy to positively impact patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment that support the pediatric facility’s mission. Connect online at jdch.com and @jdchospital on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

 



July 7 2021 – The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at the Morehouse School of Medicine today announced the selection of 12 physicians as the inaugural fellows for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship, a new collaborative initiative empowering physician-led advocacy to advance health equity, removing barriers to optimal health for all.  
 
Over 300 applications were received nationwide. The selected fellows represent a unique group of physicians from around the country encompassing multiple specialties, all with a commitment to addressing the root causes of health inequities and improving the health and wellbeing of their patients and the communities they serve. 
 
 
•Eileen Barrett, M.D., M.P.H., S.F.H.M., M.A.C.P.
•Amber Clark, M.D.
•Charles Calvin Coleman, M.D.
•Lorenzo Antonio Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.L
•Omar Guzman, M.D.
•Kamaal A. Jones, M.D.
•Kameryn J. Lee, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.O.G.
•Melissa Palma, M.D., M.P.H.
•Avani K. Patel, M.D., M.H.A
•Shilpen Patel, M.D., F.A.C.R.O, F.A.S.T.R.O
•Maya Ragavan, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
•Ramona Rhodes, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.C.S.
 
“It is an honor to welcome the inaugural cohort of physicians for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship,” said AMA’s Chief Health Equity Officer Aletha Maybank, M.D., M.P.H. “The AMA is committed to educating and empowering a new generation of physician leaders that can effectively advocate for advancing equity and justice within their own communities, bringing us closer to our goal of improving the health of our nation.”  
 
“We are thrilled to provide the selected fellows with an innovative mentoring and training platform that uses an anti-racist and equity-centered framework. This initiative is a unique opportunity to equip physicians with the tools, skills, and knowledge to engage in institutional and political health advocacy –offering solutions for a more healthy, equitable, and inclusive society,” said Daniel E. Dawes, J.D., professor of health policy and executive director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine and author of ‘The Political Determinants of Health.’
 
The fellowship will cultivate physicians as the next generation of advocacy leaders, driving meaningful policy and structural changes that ensure equity and justice in medicine and their communities. Under the mentorship of renowned multidisciplinary health equity experts, the fellows will work collaboratively to generate and exchange solutions for implementing healthy equity projects focused on ensuring better health outcomes and closing health gaps for patients and their communities.
 
The inaugural Medical Justice in Advocacy fellowship will take place from September 2021 – November 2022, convening monthly for learning and mentor engagement. For additional information on the fellowship and to follow the fellows’ activities, visit the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship website.
 
 
 
About the American Medical Association 
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care. For more information, visit ama-assn.org.
 
About Morehouse School of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, Ga., was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981, MSM became an independently chartered institution. MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians and was recently recognized as the top institution among U.S. medical schools for social mission. Our faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research and public policy. MSM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Council on Education for Public Health, Liaison Committee on Medical Education and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. https://www.msm.edu/
 
About Satcher Health Leadership Institute
The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) aims to be the leading transformational force for health equity in policy, leadership development and research. Rooted in the legacy of its founder, the 16th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, SHLI’s mission is to create systemic change at the intersection of policy and equity by focusing on three priority areas: the political determinants of health, health system transformation, and mental and behavioral health. In conjunction with key strategic partners, SHLI enhances leadership among diverse learners, conducts forward-thinking research on the drivers of health inequities and advances evidence-based policies, all in an effort to contribute to the achievement of health equity for all population groups. Learn more at: https://satcherinstitute.org; https://healthequitynetwork.org; https://healthequitytracker.org
 
 
 


July 7,2021 – Penfund, an independent provider of junior capital to North American middle market companies, announced the completion of a second lien debt and equity co-investment in Gastro Health, LLC (“Gastro Health” or the “Company”). Penfund is the lead investor for a new US$90 million second lien credit facility and also invested US$10 million in equity, both of which supported the acquisition of Gastro Health by OMERS Private Equity (“OPE”).
 
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Gastro Health is the second largest gastrointestinal (“GI”) physician practice management platform in the United States. Gastro Health employs over 250 physicians in six states and offers a comprehensive suite of core GI procedures including colonoscopies and endoscopies along with ancillary services.
 
“We have a very longstanding relationship with OMERS and are delighted to support them again. We are excited to partner with Gastro Health as they execute their growth strategy,” stated Jeremy Thompson, a Partner at Penfund.
 
Adam Breslin, a Partner at Penfund, added, “We are impressed with the platform the Gastro Health team has built. The cohesive partnership model it has created with its physicians in Florida and other states positions the company for tremendous future success.”
 
 
 
About Gastro Health, LLC 
Gastro Health is one of the leading gastroenterology platforms in the United States supporting practices in Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington. Gastro Health strives to provide outstanding medical care and an exceptional healthcare experience. The Gastro Health care teams utilize technology, clinical expertise, and compassionate care to provide a personalized approach to digestive health and overall wellness.
 
Website: www.gastrohealth.com/
 
 
About Penfund
Penfund is a leading provider of junior capital to middle market companies throughout North America. The firm is owned by its management team and is currently investing its most recently established fund, Penfund Capital Fund VI. Penfund manages funds sourced from pension funds, insurance companies, banks, family offices and high-net-worth individuals located in Canada, the United States, the Middle East and Europe. Penfund has invested more than C$3 billion in over 225 companies since its establishment. Assets under management are approximately C$1.5 billion.
 


Competition focuses on opportunities to advance community-based entrepreneurship, financial literary, as well as access to educational, legal and health resources
 
July 7, 2021 – GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell), the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care, is launching Growing Resilient Communities, a statewide challenge to accelerate the development of place-based approaches focused on addressing economic disparities in underserved communities in Florida.
 
“This challenge aims to identify resources, tools, programs and novel approaches that empower people living in underserved communities to lead the way in designing their paths to sustainable economic stability and long-term resilience,” said Kirstie McCool, executive director of GuideWell Innovation. “It aligns with GuideWell’s commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health, including economic factors that can impact people’s health outcomes and ability to thrive.” 
 
According to a September 2020 report by the Urban Institute called “Creating Places of Opportunity for All” there is a direct correlation between the economic prosperity of a person’s neighborhood and their health. 
 
The four-month challenge is targeted to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, social innovators and grassroot organizations and is focused on sourcing innovative approaches that empower community residents to be actively involved in developing their neighborhood’s long-term resiliency. 
 
The challenge will award a total of $100,000 in prize money to organizations with sustainable, innovative approaches that align with one of the following focus areas:
•Programs or proven approaches that provide knowledge, mentorship and capital to jumpstart local small businesses and drive place-based entrepreneurship 
 
•Educational programs that teach financial literacy and credit skills or that provide legal or educational counseling to families living in distressed Florida communities 
 
•Organizations that offer mobile or virtual health services that can be offered “on demand” in a distressed community 
 
•Organizations that can provide a safe convening place within a distressed community to host community input forums, entrepreneurship skills workshops and regular health and wellness clinics 
 
•Programs or models that mentor people within a local community to design and bootstrap their own baseline community development strategy or social enterprise 
 
Applicants will be competitively selected to present in one of four virtual regional pitch events with finalists in Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami this fall.
 
The top three finalists from each region will each receive $5,000 in funding and will be invited to the statewide challenge finals on Oct. 27 at the GuideWell Innovation Center in Orlando’s Lake Nona Medical City for a chance to win a $40,000 grand prize.
 
The statewide challenge showcase will kick off the Growing Resilient Communities well-being forum, an invitation-only, collaborative event between the Florida Blue Foundation and GuideWell that is being held on Oct. 28. This forum will bring together a national audience of thought leaders, experts and stakeholders to focus on building high-impact opportunities for creating equal health access and education in Florida. John Hope Bryant, a nationally recognized speaker, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity, will serve as the keynote speaker.
 
The well-being challenge and forum are just a couple of initiatives that demonstrate GuideWell’s commitment to addressing health disparities and social determinants of health, the social and economic factors that impact people’s overall health.
 
The Florida Blue Foundation, a separate philanthropic affiliate of GuideWell, has identified health equity as one of its current three areas of focus. Driven by its mission to improve the health of people and communities in Florida, the Foundation strategically targets funding to organizations that can deliver resources and programming to impact generational poverty and drive improvements in the overall health status of communities. 
 
GuideWell will begin accepting applications for the Growing Resilient Communities challenge on July 7 and applications must be submitted by August 6. Additional information on the challenge is available at https://wellbeingforum.guidewellinnovation.com/.
 
 
 
 
About GuideWell 
GuideWell Mutual Holding Corporation (GuideWell) is a not-for-profit mutual holding company and the parent to a family of forward-thinking companies focused on transforming health care. The GuideWell organization includes Florida Blue, the leading health insurance company in Florida; GuideWell Health, a portfolio of clinical delivery organizations; GuideWell Connect, a health care consumer marketing, sales and engagement company; GuideWell Source, a provider of administrative services to state and federal health care programs; PopHealthCare, a leader in risk adjustment and population care management; and WebTPA, a market leading administrator of self-funded employer health plans. For more information, visit www.guidewell.com.
 


On June 26, 2021, the Florida state of emergency due to COVID-19 expired, and temporary emergency order 20-002 (along with others) lapsed and expired as well. In response, The Florida Department of Health issued an email update to registrants on July 1, 2021 advising licensed and registered healthcare providers that as a result of the expiration of the temporary emergency order “controlled substance prescribers are [now] required to conduct an in-person physical examination to issue a renewal prescription for a controlled substance.” Meaning controlled substances may no longer be prescribed using telehealth services.
 
However, the update does not address the impact of the expiration in light of the current Florida legislation, statute 456.47, which governs the provision of telehealth services. The legislation provides specific carveouts for Florida licensed healthcare providers and out-of-state providers using telehealth services to provide treatment. Thus, it allows for the continuity of  some telehealth services that would otherwise be impacted by The Florida Department of Health update. 
 
Subsection 456.47(2)(c) of the statute impacts most Florida telehealth providers and states the following:
“A telehealth provider may not use telehealth to prescribe a controlled substance unless the controlled substance is prescribed for the following:
1.The treatment of a psychiatric disorder;
2.Inpatient treatment at a hospital licensed under chapter 395;
3.The treatment of a patient receiving hospice services as defined in s. 400.601; or
4.The treatment of a resident of a nursing home facility as defined in s. 400.021.”
 
This paragraph effectively allows telehealth providers to continue prescribing controlled substances under these specific exceptions, irrespective of the Department of Health advisory notice.
 
It is important to note there are significant nuances that must be taken into consideration when providing telehealth services and prescribing treatment under this statute. We advise both Florida licensed providers and out-of-state providers to consult with their attorney regarding The Florida Department of Health email update and how it may impact their healthcare practice before continuing the provision of telehealth services. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Komal S. Mirza is an attorney with Mirza| Healthcare Law Partners.
For more information visit www.MirzaHealthLaw.com, or if you have a specific legal question, ask Komal at KMirza@MirzaHealthLaw.com.