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. 
 


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


New CEO and development director named to lead big changes at nonprofit 
 
March 4 2021 – Following a nearly nine-month national search for a new CEO, the board of directors for the Palm Beach County Food Bank has named Jamie A. Kendall to lead the local nonprofit focused on ending hunger in Palm Beach County. In addition, long-time fundraising professional Ellen Vaughan has been appointed as director of development and philanthropy. The two assume their new roles at a time of exciting activity for the Food Bank, as the organization is moving to a new, fully-funded warehouse and distribution facility following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in mid-March – doubling its capacity to serve the community. 
 
 
Jamie A. Kendall
Ellen Vaughan ï»¿
 
The Palm Beach County Food Bank procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and provides it to almost 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and residential housing programs. Palm Beach County Food Bank programs reach families, children and seniors, and connect those in need to available benefits and resources. Partner agencies distribute the products received, including culturally appropriate food and necessities like paper towels and diapers. This process ensures families have access to food when they need it most.
 
“Thanks to experienced and committed interim leadership, the Palm Beach County Food Bank is well poised to continue to meet the unprecedented food insecurity needs that COVID-19 has created in our community,” said Marti LaTour, chairman, board of directors. “With the addition of Jamie and Ellen, we add great depth of knowledge to our leadership team. While the need for our services has never been greater, we are also in an exciting growth phase to meet that need, thanks to incredible generosity from our community. I know the amazing staff at the Food Bank will continue to do great things under their leadership.”
 
Historically, the Palm Beach County Food Bank provided access to nutritious food for more than 200,000 hungry Palm Beach County residents every month. Since COVID-19 disrupted the county’s economy, the demand for the Food Bank’s services has tripled. While pre-COVID 19 distributions averaged close to 5 million pounds per year, the current facility is now distributing close to 1.5 million pounds of food per month. LaTour says the new location and new leadership offers the nonprofit the ability to continue to meet the increased demand from Palm Beach County neighbors who find themselves needing access to food for their families.
 
A new resident of Boynton Beach, Kendall moved to Palm Beach County after serving for 10 years as chief operating officer for America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia – a nonprofit focused on ending hunger in a 21-county area of Ga. In her last fiscal year there, her leadership allowed the food bank to more than double the amount of food they distributed, compared to years prior. 
 
“I am extremely passionate about the mission of ending hunger,” said Kendall. “I am an outside-the-box kind of leader and know that problems can be solved by being creative with our solutions. The Palm Beach County Food Bank has a great staff and an amazing board of directors who are each very involved with our mission to end hunger in our community. The need for our services is greater than ever and we must help our neighbors in need of assistance.”
 
Prior to her most recent food bank experience, Kendall spent more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector, working for social service humanitarian organizations, as well as land conservation groups across the state of Ga. She is an Ohio native and attended Bowling Green State University. 
 
Delray Beach resident Vaughan is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, via Ct. She brings nearly 20 years of Palm Beach County fundraising experience to her new role. With former leadership positions at St. Andrew’s School, American Cancer Society and Armory Art Center, she most recently served as director of annual fund development for Palm Beach Atlantic University. 
 
“Every day when I come to work, I am able to see our results and impact in the county,” said Vaughan. “It can be very rewarding; I know that our donors feel this too. They appreciate how hard we work to support the one in five children who will go to bed hungry – and the thousands of seniors who do not know where they will get their next meal. The pandemic has changed the ‘face’ of hunger and exposed just how easy it is for people to become food insecure. I feel especially grateful to be in this role during the pandemic because it allows me to bring my experience to the table to produce the best possible results, so that we can continue to alleviate hunger in Palm Beach County.”
 
In addition to her professional roles, Vaughan is president-elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Palm Beach County Chapter. She is also a sustainer with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches – an organization where she has been a member for more than 20 years.
 
Those in need of food assistance may visit the Palm Beach County Food Bank website to learn where they can find food distributions right in their neighborhood. To learn more about opportunities to volunteer, host a food drive or make a financial contribution to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, visit pbcfoodbank.org or call at 561-670-2518.
 


March 4, 2021 – As part of its virtual “Ask the Expert” program series, the Alzheimer’s Association will host “Medicine Cabinet Mayhem,” a free, educational program on March 18.
 
Featuring Dr. Miguel Rivera as guest speaker, the program will explore how prescription and over-the-counter medications can contribute toward cognitive impairment.
 
“Just because a medicine is sold over-the-counter, without a prescription, does not make it safe,” said Rivera, an adult psychiatrist in private practice in Sarasota. “It is important to educate ourselves regarding everything we put in our body – this includes our food, drinks, supplements, medications and more.”
 
Rivera dedicates his practice to the evaluation and management of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body, frontotemporal and other types of dementia. Also the medical director of TriYoga International, Rivera graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency training at the University of South Florida.
 
Following Rivera’s presentation, attendees of the program will also hear from dementia specialist and Alzheimer’s Association community educator Louise Gallagher to learn more about the common signs of cognitive impairment.
 
Bernice Pelea, program manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, noted: “There are some medications and supplements that can have negative effects on cognitive health. It’s important to share all medications and supplements you’re taking with your clinician, so then you can have a conversation about the benefits and decide what is best for you.”
Sponsored in part by Sarasota County, “Ask the Expert: Medicine Cabinet Mayhem” will begin at 11:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 18. To register, visit www.bit.ly/MedicineMayhem or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
 
 
 
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.
 


March 4, 2021 – Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital welcomes Brian Burkey, MD, MEd, FACS, as the inaugural Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. In addition to seeing patients, he also serves as the Institute Chair of Surgical Specialties for the Cleveland Clinic Florida region.  
 
Dr. Burkey is now accepting new patients at Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, located at 3555 10th Court in Vero Beach. To schedule an appointment, call 772.563.4673.
 
Dr. Burkey has a 30-year history of treating tumors and cancers affecting the head and neck, with a special interest in thyroid surgery and parotid surgery. His collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to care is instrumental in treating patients with conditions affecting the head and neck that require complex surgical and medical interventions. 
 
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic in Florida, Dr. Burkey served as Vice Chairman and Section Head of the Section of Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute in Ohio. Dr. Burkey came to Cleveland Clinic after almost twenty years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, rising to Professor of Otolaryngology and Vice Chairman within that department.
 
He earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed otolaryngology residency training at the University of Michigan and a fellowship in microvascular and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Ohio State University.
 
Dr. Burkey has been an American Board of Otolaryngology diplomat since 1992.An active member of the American Head and Neck Society, he currently serves as Vice President of that organization. He serves on the editorial board of multiple journals in the field of otolaryngology, and has lectured extensively on educational and clinical subjects both nationally and internationally. He has authored over 20 book chapters and 120 peer-reviewed articles on head and neck and reconstructive surgery topics. He has been a leader on several cooperative group studies and been a co-principal investigator of NIH-funded research.
 
About Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is a 332-bed, not for profit hospital offering comprehensive medical services to the Treasure Coast community. The Welsh Heart Center, Scully-Welsh Cancer Center and Scully Endoscopy Center offer full-service programs and a multidisciplinary approach. Healthcare professionals represent specialties including orthopaedic services, minimally invasive vascular surgery, neurosurgery, stroke services, robotic surgery, a state-of-the-art wound healing center, bariatric surgery and the only maternity wing in the community. The hospital features all private rooms and is the largest private-sector employer in Indian River County. Learn more at clevelandclinicindianriverhospital.com. 
 
About the Cleveland Clinic Florida region
The Cleveland Clinic Florida region is a nonprofit, multi-specialty healthcare provider that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. The Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, with five hospitals and numerous outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
 
 
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (Miller Family) : https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/heart