Special honor is part of Tenet Healthcare’s annual recognition program
 
March 5  2021  – Good Samaritan Medical Center announced today that Rebecca Washam, RN, has been honored by Tenet Healthcare as part of its annual recognition program. Washam, has been named a “Tenet Hero” and also inducted into the Tenet Heroes’ Hall of Fame for her incredible contributions in 2020.
 
The Tenet Heroes program celebrates those individuals who make a meaningful impact within their respective communities that goes above and beyond their daily job responsibilities. Nominated by fellow colleagues, Tenet Heroes exemplify the company’s core values and the key tenets of its Community Built on Care. 
 
“Rebecca has inspired us through her actions to make a positive and meaningful difference in our community,” said Sheri Montgomery, chief executive officer for Good Samaritan Medical Center.  “We are grateful for Rebecca’s efforts, selfless nature and commitment to compassionate care particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are proud to work alongside her”
 
Washam was recognized as a Tenet Hero and Hall of Fame winner for not only bringing in items of clothing for homeless patients, and arranging for their personal needs outside the facility, but in addition, Washam, chaired the 2020 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night. While only held virtually, Washam worked tirelessly to host events, spread the word, and enlisted family and friends to make masks, and to raise more money for the event, even though the pandemic caused multiple challenges to raise funds for the year. 
 
Each year, a group of nominees are inducted into the Tenet Heroes’ Hall of Fame, the Company’s most prestigious honor for employees. This year, a total of 24 individuals were named to The Hall of Fame, including Washam. 
 
 
 
 
About Good Samaritan Medical Center
Good Samaritan Medical Center is a 333-bed acute care hospital providing sophisticated, personalized medical care to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast for 100 years.   As one of the area’s leading oncology centers, the hospital’s Cancer Institute provides general and highly specialized cancer services and is accredited by the Commission on Cancer, a program of the American College of Surgeons. Good Samaritan Medical Center’s Breast Institute is designated by the American College of Surgeons as a National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a designation reserved for breast centers that achieve high standards across the most effective breast cancer treatments. The Breast Institute is also a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.  Additional services include general and robotic surgical options through the hospital’s Surgical Institute, a Certified Primary Stroke Center, 24-hour emergency care, advanced cardiac care through the Cardiac and Vascular Institute, diagnostic imaging, maternity services, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and a Sleep Disorders Center. 
Good Samaritan Medical Center has been a recipient of the Healthgrades Labor and Delivery Excellence Award for two years in a row (2018-2019), placing Good Sam in the top 10% of all hospitals evaluated for L&D services.  The hospital has one of the lowest C-section rates in Florida: Good Samaritan Medical Center is proud to be one of only 19 hospitals in the state of Florida to achieve a C-section rate below 23.9% for first time mothers with low risk pregnancies, meeting the AHCA recommended C-section rate.  Good Samaritan Medical Center earned Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. The hospital was also the recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for 2020 and is a designated Center of Excellence for Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery™.  To learn more about Good Samaritan Medical Center, or for a complimentary physician referral, visit www.goodsamaritanmc.com or call 561-650-6023.
 
 
About Tenet Healthcare
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) is a diversified healthcare services company headquartered in Dallas with 110,000 employees. Through an expansive care network that includes United Surgical Partners International, we operate 65 hospitals and approximately 550 other healthcare facilities, including surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care and imaging centers and other care sites and clinics. We also operate Conifer Health Solutions, which provides revenue cycle management and value-based care services to hospitals, health systems, physician practices, employers and other clients. Across the Tenet enterprise, we are united by our mission to deliver quality, compassionate care in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.tenethealth.com. 
 
 


March 5, 2021 – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has announced availability of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for Florida’s children and young adults ages 16 to 21 who are currently under the care of physicians or specialists for medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as posing an increased risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19. 
 
The hospital has already vaccinated 500 eligible patients through outreach to other area hospitals and health systems, pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists in Florida that resulted in hundreds of referrals for vaccine appointments. Nicklaus Children’s recently received an additional allotment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, enabling the hospital to extend its offering on a broader level. Appointment requests can be submitted through the web link below, effective Monday, March 8, 2021. 
 
“Nicklaus Children’s is committed to our mission of prioritizing the children and young adults of our community and beyond. While most children are only mildly affected by COVID-19, those with complex conditions may be at risk of severe illness if they contract the virus. We are honored to be able to offer the vaccine to support the care of vulnerable children in Florida,” said Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, parent organization of the hospital. 
 
Nicklaus Children’s is able to offer the vaccine to children and young adults ages 16 to 21 who provide written correspondence from a physician confirming that they are being treated for one or more of the conditions identified by the CDC as increasing the risk associated with COVID-19. These include asthma (moderate to severe), cancer, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes (type 1 or 2), Down syndrome, heart conditions, hypertension, immunocompromised conditions, liver disease, neurologic conditions, obesity, pulmonary fibrosis, sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Individuals older than 21 and under the medical care of a pediatrician or pediatric specialist are also being evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
 
Interested families should visit Nicklauschildrens.org/Covid19Vaccine for more information. Vaccine appointments can be requested on this page effective Monday, March 8, 2021.
 
 
 
About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital 
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians, including more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org


Revolutionary lung valve is the first FDA-approved device  to help
emphysema patients breathe easier without major surgery  
 
March 5 2021 –  Holy Cross Health is one of the first in South Florida to offer a new lung valve treatment for patients with severe COPD/emphysema.  
 
Recently approved by the FDA under its “Breakthrough Devices” status, the Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve treatment is a major advancement because it is the first minimally invasive procedure to help emphysema sufferers breathe easier without major surgery. Through a simple bronchoscopy, the valves improve a patient’s quality of life by allowing them to breathe easier, reducing the shortness of breath, while promoting a more active and energetic lifestyle. 
 
“We are very excited to have this new treatment option because emphysema patients are often in poor physical condition, struggling with each breath despite medication therapy. Before the Zephyr Valves, the only options for relief were highly invasive treatments including lung surgeries,” said Sam G. Kosseifi, M.D., DABSM, lead pulmonologist at Holy Cross Health. “Being able to offer this minimally invasive procedure has the potential to improve the quality of life for many emphysema sufferers in Florida and beyond.” 
 
The one-time procedure is done during a simple bronchoscopy that requires no cutting or incisions. During the procedure, an average of four tiny valves are placed in the airways to block off the diseased parts of the lungs where air gets trapped. Keeping air from getting trapped in the diseased parts of the lung allows the healthier parts of the lungs to expand and take in more air. This  results in patients being able to breathe easier and have less shortness of breath.  
 
Emphysema is a progressive and life-threatening lung disease and a severe form of COPD (chronic pulmonary obstructive disease). There is no cure, and patients live with severe shortness of breath that keeps them from doing simple daily activities such as walking or taking a shower without pausing to catch their breath or resting. This extreme shortness of breath is caused when air becomes trapped in parts of the lung that are damaged by the disease. This trapped air causes the damaged areas of the lungs to get larger which puts pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm. During this short procedure, on average a physician places four tiny valves in the airways to block off the damage areas of the lungs so air no longer gets trapped there. This allows the healthier parts of the lungs to expand and relieves the pressure on the diaphragm, which decreases shortness of breath and makes breathing easier. 
 
In August, Herb Yardley of Massey Yardley CDJRF donated $2 million to establish the Catherine Yardley Pulmonary Center of Excellence at Holy Cross Health to honor his wife Catherine who passed away from COPD. With this funding Holy Cross can conduct comprehensive research, advance clinically effective treatments of COPD and other lung diseases, spark the creation of a new lab focused on research and education, and allow for a number of enhancements to already established bronchoscopy labs.   
 
More on the Zephyr Valves: 
The Zephyr Valves were fast-tracked through the FDA’s “Breakthrough Device” status because they “offer bronchoscopic lung volume reduction without surgery and its associated risks.” The FDA’s approval was based on the results of four randomized controlled clinical trials, including the U.S. approval study, LIBERATE. Data from the study showed that implantation of the Zephyr Valves successfully reduced shortness of breath while improving lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life. 1 These benefits lasted at least one-year post-treatment for patients with severe emphysema.  
 
The Zephyr Valves were approved by the FDA in July 2018. Since 2007, more than 15,000 patients have been treated with The Zephyr Valve worldwide. Zephyr Valve treatment is included in emphysema treatment recommendations issued by leading health organizations worldwide, including the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 
 
More about COPD and Emphysema 
More than 15 million Americans suffer from COPD and 3.5 million of those patients have emphysema.2Despite using COPD medications, one million+ emphysema patients continue to suffer symptoms of hyperinflation, in which air becomes trapped in the lungs and prevents new air from coming in, causing severe shortness of breath. Breathing becomes inefficient and patients have to work very hard just to breathe – making normal activities, like walking, eating or even bathing, difficult. There are few treatment options for most patients with emphysema and there is no cure. Until now, the only other options for these patients were highly invasive treatments such as lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation. 
 
For more information visit www.MyLungsMyLife.com or https://www.holy-cross.com/.   
 
 
ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH 
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, non-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been named one of the top 10 hospitals in the Miami metro area and among the top 30 in the state in U.S. News and World Report’s 2020-2021 Best Hospital rankings. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 50 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl. 
 


Company also pledges Rally for Recovery Commitment to protect
employees and encourage COVID-19 vaccinations
 
March 4, 2021 – Florida Blue Medicare, the state’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare company, announced today its participation in a new effort to promote health equity by removing barriers to vaccinations for 2 million Americans most at risk for COVID-19. 
 
Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative
Every American deserves access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines. Florida Blue Medicare and other health insurers have been working with federal, state and local leaders to ensure Americans can get vaccinated as quickly and equitably as possible. Members of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) extended that commitment with the announcement of the Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative.
 
The Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative aims to enable the vaccination of 2 million seniors age 65+ in America’s most at-risk, vulnerable and underserved communities – such as Black and Hispanic communities. 
 
Florida Blue Medicare and other insurance providers will focus on their members and the communities they serve. They are working to reach this important goal quickly, depending upon the increasing availability of vaccine supply. 
 
“Florida Blue Medicare has a long history of working closely with community leaders to understand the unique needs and obstacles each community faces and collaborate to address them. Work is already underway to leverage those long-held business and non-profit relationships in Florida’s high-risk underserved communities as part of this nationwide effort to vaccinate seniors,” said Camille Harrison, Florida Blue’s executive vice president of Medicare.
 
How the initiative will work
As vaccine supplies expand and registrations become more available, Florida Blue Medicare and other health insurers will use combined expertise, data and insights to:
Identify seniors 65+ who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and live in areas where vaccination rates are most inequitable.
Work with partners in the community to educate seniors on the safety, efficacy and value of COVID-19 vaccines.
Contact those seniors who are eligible to get a vaccine through multiple channels to: 
          Facilitate vaccine registration and appointment scheduling.  
          Answer their questions about vaccines.
                   Help them to understand when, where and how they can receive vaccines and remind them about any required second doses (if applicable).
           Coordinate services to help overcome barriers that may stand between them and getting vaccinated, including transportation.
Work with federal, state and local leaders to deliver vaccines to underserved communities and closely collaborate with other vaccination partners, such as pharmacies.
Track progress to ensure that those who need vaccinations most are receiving them.
 
Florida Blue Medicare is using its enrollee data and analytics in addition to a number of methods –
including government resources such as the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) – to help identify the 25% most vulnerable communities. The SVI is a metric used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that considers 15 social factors across socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation. 
 
Social index data will be paired with other data such as vaccination histories and the prevalence of chronic conditions, improving accuracy and efficiency in the effort. By tailoring the outreach approach to each community, Florida Blue Medicare and other insurers will be able to best meet unique community needs.
 
The equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrates the critical importance of strong partnerships between the public sector and private market. Florida Blue Medicare and other participating insurers will rely on existing relationships, their ability to build strong networks within communities and among community leaders, and make connections across the health care system to provide access for America’s most vulnerable seniors 65+.
 
Florida Blue commits to Rally for Recovery
Florida Blue also announced today that it is joining other BCBSA companies in a Rally for Recovery Commitment, which aims to protect employees by encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations, while also educate employees and local communities on ways to mitigate the spread of the virus. The pledge was launched by the federal government and business leaders to encourage companies to take action to defeat the coronavirus. 
Florida Blue commits to: 
•Requiring individuals to wear masks and social distance while in the workplace. 
•Reducing barriers to vaccinations by making it easier for employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, once available to them. 
•Communicating with employees, members and communities about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
 
"We are seeing progress in the mitigation of COVID-19, but we cannot let our guard down,” said Florida Blue president and CEO Pat Geraghty. “While the public health and economic emergency continues to test our resolve, now is a time of guarded hope. As health leaders in our communities, we remain committed to setting the example and supporting our neighbors as we do our part to ensure the state is on the path to recovery.”
 
About COVID-19 Vaccines
For more information and resources related to COVID-19 vaccines, visit:
•Florida Blue: COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Page
•AHIP: Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
•BCBSA: Aiding the Most Vulnerable Seniors with Vaccines  
 
 
About Florida Blue
Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield company, has been providing health insurance to residents of Florida for more than 75 years. Driven by its mission of helping people and communities achieve better health, the company serves more than 5 million health care members across the state. In total, Florida Blue and its affiliated companies serve 28 million people in 45 states. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
 
About AHIP
AHIP is the national association whose members provide coverage for health care and related services to hundreds of millions of Americans every day. Through these offerings, we improve and protect the health and financial security of consumers, families, businesses, communities and the nation. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private partnerships that improve affordability, value, access, and well-being for consumers. Visit www.ahip.org for more information.
 
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 35 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.
 


 
March 5, 2021 – Gastro Health, a national leading medical group specializing in digestive health, has partnered with Digestive Disease Associates (DDA), a gastroenterology group with two locations based in Catonsville and Columbia, Maryland. This partnership also includes the state-of-the-art endoscopy center, Howard County Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Center, and two infusion centers. 
 
This latest acquisition by Gastro Health marks the sixth state the group has entered, continuing a rapid growth and expansion period through a series of mergers and acquisitions within the single-specialty gastroenterology sector over the last two years. Gastro Health now has practices in Florida, Alabama, Washington, Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland with over 100 locations consisting of medical office practices, infusion centers, imaging services and a specialty pharmacy. Additionally, Gastro Health owns and operates endoscopy centers in five of the six states. 
 
DDA’s group of 15 board-certified gastroenterologists, two anesthesiologists, two radiologists, three nurse practitioners, and four board-certified nurse anesthetists have been committed to providing high-quality, specialized care in gastroenterology, hepatology, and liver-related disorders to patients throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC since 1996. DDA’s ambulatory surgery center was also ranked #6 in the state of Maryland in 2021 by Newsweek based on its quality of care, performance data, peer recommendations, and overall response to COVID-19. 
 
“We are pleased to add the experienced team of GI specialists from DDA to the Gastro Health team,” said Gastro Health CEO Joseph Garcia. “Their well-established impact on patient care coupled with successful physician leaders makes DDA a strong anchor in the Maryland market and a significant addition to our company as we continue to expand our footprint in the Mid-Atlantic.” 
 
As a leader in the market, the practice’s physicians hold key roles in area hospital systems, including Johns Hopkins Medicine, currently ranked #4 in the nation for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals, as well as influential GI organizations, allowing them to stay at the forefront of new and innovative treatment options and deliver an unparalleled quality of care to patients. 
 
“It was clear to us that partnering with Gastro Health will elevate our practice so that we can expand the care we provide to the communities we serve,” said Kester Crosse, M.D., of DDA. “This relationship will help us significantly further our mission to improve efficiency, drive growth, and bring innovative solutions to our patients.” 
 
With this partnership, Dr. Crosse will become the Vice President of Clinical Affairs, Maryland, and Tim Lynch, DDA’s Chief Operating Officer, will now become Gastro Health’s Division Vice President in Maryland as he continues to manage the practice’s operations and growth. 
 
Financial Advisor  
Bailey Southwell served as the exclusive financial advisor to Digestive Disease Associates. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 
 
 
About Gastro Health 
Gastro Health is one of the leading gastroenterology groups in the United States with 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. Learn more at GastroHealth.com.