Carter, first baby born at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, and members of his care team recently celebrated his 10th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the hospital.
The Palm Beach Health Network announced that five team members have been honored by Tenet Healthcare as part of its annual recognition program. These individuals are “Tenet Hero Nominees” for their incredible contributions in 2020. Across the Palm Beach Health Network, the following team members received this prestigious recognition.
• Cat Dalberg, Employee Health Nurse, Delray Medical Center
• Rebecca Washam, Registered Nurse, Oncology, Good
Samaritan Medical Center
• Cheryl Morkan, Assistant Nurse Manager, Cardiac Unit,
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
• Rich Avato, Systems Analyst, St. Mary’s Medical Center
& Palm Beach Children’s Hospital
• Kelley Swannick, NICU Nurse, West Boca Medical Center
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The American Lung Association in South Florida recently announced that Brian Hunis, M.D., from Memorial Cancer Institute will be honored as the LUNG FORCE Distinguished Physician Award recipient.
“The challenges that we have faced over the past year have truly underscored the critical importance of our healthcare workers and our lung health. Dr. Brian Hunis has been on the front lines treating people with lung cancer during a respiratory pandemic, where he provided hope, support and outstanding patient care,” said Lori Adelson, event Co-Chair and owner of HRLaw Pro. “While the world continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel that this year’s Distinguished Physician Award takes on new meaning and are honored to recognize Dr. Hunis.”
Dr. Hunis is the leader of the Memorial Cancer Institute at Memorial Healthcare System and a medical oncologist/hematologist. He specializes in treating patients with thoracic, head and neck malignancies. He became interested in oncology at an early age. His father is an oncologist, and he saw firsthand the impact his father had on his patients’ lives and the unique relationships that he shared with them. Dr. Hunis knew that he wanted to follow in his footsteps and considers it a privilege to be able to help people through a very difficult time in their lives.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Hunis is also involved in clinical research and serves as principle investigator for trials focusing on lung, head and neck cancers. While he loves many aspects of his job, the ultimate reward is seeing his patients making memories.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) in an effort to address employment issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other provisions, ARPA created a COBRA premium subsidy along with additional COBRA enrollment rights for certain employees who lost group health plan coverage due to an involuntary termination of employment or a reduction of hours.
From April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, group health plans providing COBRA continuation coverage (or continuation coverage under state “mini-COBRA” laws) must offer a 100 percent subsidy of COBRA premiums for assistance-eligible individuals and their dependents.
The premium amount is paid by the employer or plan and will be reimbursed by the federal government through a refundable credit against payroll taxes. For self-insured plans and insured plans subject to federal COBRA, the employer will receive the tax credit. For insured plans not subject to COBRA, the insurer will receive the credit. Credit amounts exceeding Medicare taxes will be treated as a refund of a Medicare tax overpayment.
Additionally, ARPA imposes three key notice requirements on employers with compliance deadline. First, before May 31, 2021, employers were required to notify those who became eligible for premium assistance before April 1, 2021, that they may be entitled to premium-assisted COBRA coverage. This same information needs to be provided to all individuals that become eligible for COBRA during the six-month subsidy period.
Employers will also be responsible for notifying "second chance" individuals of their option to re-elect COBRA coverage by May 31, 2021. Finally, employers will be responsible for notifying AEIs when the COBRA premium assistance period is ending. These notices must be sent to AEIs at least 15 days – but not more than 45 days – prior to the expiration of premium-assistance COBRA coverage.
A recent Gallup poll found that nursing is considered to be the most trusted profession. Nurses earn a record 89% very high/high score for their honesty and ethics, and for patients, that’s important. When you’re not feeling well, you can be at your most vulnerable. While the doctor creates the plan for recovery, it’s often nurses who carry it out. Nurses also have more personal and more frequent interaction with patients than any other healthcare provider.
If you ask a nurse why they chose the profession, many will tell you it’s more than a job, it’s a calling. They’re born caregivers and are naturally driven to build trust with their patients. Looking at their general characteristics, here are three reasons why nurses are so well regarded and respected.
Bedside Manner
Nurses are at the patient’s bedside more than doctors, and they put the patient’s needs and feelings first. They also strive to make the encounter personal, using the patient’s name, maintaining eye contact, and listening. Nurses also deal with patients when they may be stressed or emotional. They recognize that the reactions they may face are not directed at them, and they maintain their professionalism and their compassion.
Time
Nurses really get to know their patients. Because nurses spend a lot of time with patients—much more than any other healthcare provider, they have a chance to get to know their patients. Their friendly face is often the first one they see at the hospital or doctor’s office during the course of care. Patients often trust the person who is always there. And nurses are always available around the clock, ready to help.
Caring
Patients know that nurses care because it is demonstrated in every interaction. If a patient needs a blanket or a glass of water, the nurse is the one who will respond. If a patient has a question about their treatment, medication or needs help moving about, the nurse is there for them … to find answers to their questions and get them what they need. Nurses also tend to the patient’s family, answering questions and helping interpret what the doctor is saying. Caring throughout the day builds a relationship and a level of trust.
When a patient experiences a strong level of care, it can lead to the type of trust displayed in the results of the Gallup poll. If you’re driven to help people and are considering a career in this rewarding field, Fortis College in Cutler Bay can help put you on the path. Fortis offers a variety of programs including an Associate Degree in Nursing, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting and Medical Assisting with Basic X-ray Operation.