Beginning this fall, Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer two new combined programs in nursing and artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering.

This innovative, forward-looking and convergent curriculum design was conceived by Safiya George, Ph.D., dean, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science; Javad Hashemi, Ph.D., associate dean of research, College of Engineering and Computer Science; Karethy Edwards, Dr.PH, APRN, associate dean of academic programs; and Joy Longo, Ph.D., assistant dean, undergraduate programs, both within the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. The need for such a program was recognized through a number of research collaborations and discussions between the two colleges.
 
The combined degree programs will provide FAU bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) graduates with a leading edge in artificial intelligence, which includes algorithms, pattern matching, deep learning and cognitive computing to learn how to understand complex data. Artificial intelligence can be applied to almost every field of health care, including drug development, treatment decisions and patient care. Graduates of this new program will be able utilize knowledge to tackle complex problems that would otherwise be difficult or very time-intensive to address without artificial intelligence. FAU BSN graduates who continue on to the master’s in science (MS) in the biomedical engineering program will use engineering principles to define and solve problems in biology, medicine, health care and other fields. 


Holy Cross Health announced it will provide a $500 appreciation award to all colleagues across its hospitals and other health care locations in recognition of their contributions to the health system’s COVID-19 response. This is the second appreciation award Holy Cross Health will provide colleagues as a thank you for their continued commitment and service to patients and fellow employees throughout the pandemic.

“As we reach the end of our fiscal year 2021, we are reflecting on everything Holy Cross Health’s hard-working and compassionate employees have accomplished through the pandemic,” said Holy Cross Health president and CEO Mark Doyle. “Not only have they provided unwavering care for patients with COVID-19, but they moved with agility and speed to distribute the vaccine once it became available. We are proud and thankful for the commitment and service that our colleagues have demonstrated and are hopeful that this gesture will convey our appreciation.”
 
Throughout the pandemic, Holy Cross Health and Trinity Health have provided more than one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, both in the communities of its health ministries, as well as by partnering with outside organizations.
 


Sofia Mendez Rodriguez, IIDA, NCIDQ, has joined LEO A DALY’s Miami studio as Interior Designer. Mendez brings 6 years’ experience working on a variety of projects, with a focus on improving the user’s wellbeing through sustainability and design.  

Mendez will be working closely with LEO A DALY’s Miami Managing Principal, Eduardo S. Egea, AIA, NCARB by advising like-minded clients in aviation, public safety, commercial and healthcare design.
 
Mendez and her team are currently working on several public safety and hospitality renovation and expansion projects, which includes the City of Miami Beach’s Police Headquarters and Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club in Anguilla.
 
Mendez is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Women in Healthcare, is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds her licensing from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She has been an active volunteer in organizations such as Project HOME and her design work and thought leadership have been featured in MODO DE VIDA.
 


Brian E. Keeley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Health South Florida announced his plan to retire in 2022.

Keeley began his career as an administrative resident with Baptist Hospital in 1969. After serving four years as an officer of the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corp, he was named Assistant Administrator of the hospital in 1973, Chief Operating Officer in 1979 and CEO in 1986. He oversaw Baptist Hospital’s mergers with South Miami Hospital and Homestead Hospital in 1995, subsequently becoming the President and CEO of the newly formed Baptist Health South Florida.
 
Keeley spearheaded the additional growth of the health system that now includes 11 hospitals and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Under his leadership, Baptist Health has become the largest and most preferred healthcare organization in the region with an operating budget of $4 billion, providing $380 million in charity care and community benefit last year.
 
With Keeley’s pending retirement, the board has unanimously selected Albert “Bo” Boulenger, current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to succeed Keeley. Boulenger began his career with Baptist Health in 1985 at South Miami Hospital. In 1994, he was named CEO of Homestead Hospital, and in 2006 he became CEO of Baptist Hospital. In 2018, he assumed his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Health.
 


Ralph Rios
Vice President of Professional Services, West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Baptist Health South Florida
 
When Ralph Rios, FACHE, commits to something—either personally or professionally—he goes all in, whether it’s skydiving, scuba-diving, piloting a plane or providing the highest level of care to patients at Baptist Health facilities.
 
“When I’m involved in an activity, I want to reach the highest level of certification/accreditation available,” he explained. “That’s why I join the associations or organizations that support those activities and take an active role.”
 
As the vice president of professional services at West Kendall Baptist Hospital and vice president of academic affairs for Baptist Health South Florida, Rios knows the importance of continuing education and networking with peers. He also understands the value of long-term relationships, having worked for the Baptist Health network for the past 26 years.
 
“I started with Baptist Health as a physical therapist right out of college,” he explained. “During my time at South Miami Hospital, I was encouraged by the department director to consider a career in healthcare administration.
 
“I was impressed by the fact that the decisions he made, while not necessarily popular with employees—like working more weekends—were the right decisions for patient care,” he continued. “I had always hoped to make a significant impact on patient care, but hadn’t realized that someone in administration could do that by directing the services of those providing hands-on care.”
 
Rios, who earned his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Florida, decided to pursue a master’s in health services administration from Florida International University. “I was fortunate to work under South Miami Hospital CEO Wayne Brackin during my administrative residency, and he provided a lot of guidance, and also helped me land my first job in performance improvement at South Miami Hospital,” said Rios, who later became the hospital’s assistant vice-president.
 
After 15 years at South Miami, Rios moved to West Kendall Baptist Hospital as its vice-president, where he worked with CEO Javier Hernandez-Lichtl. “We were here a year before the hospital opened and took it from eight to 800 employees,” said Rios. “We had to hire everyone, plan for lines of service, bring on medical staff, select a board, create policies and procedures, and ensure that everything worked safely and effectively. It was fast and furious, but very exciting.”
 
Five years ago, Rios began wearing a second hat, training nurses, physicians and therapists at the Baptist Health Center for the Advancement of Learning where he now serves as its vice president of Academic Affairs.
 
“I feel that it’s extremely important to be engaged and involved in any organization in which you have an interest,” said Rios, who also mentors individuals in the Baptist Health System.
 
For this reason, Rios joined the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) soon after obtaining his master’s degree, and has since served on the board and held various positions with the goal of bringing services to ACHE members. He also became a Fellow of the organization.
 
“I believe that the Fellow credential demonstrates my commitment to the profession,” he explained. “When others see it, they not only know that I am an advanced professional, but it acts as a conversation piece.
 
“Talking about it encourages nonmembers to get involved, and helps remove some of the mystique behind it and the perceived barriers for members who might be considering it,” he added. “While challenging to earn, it is achievable.”