May 5 2021 – On the 20-year journey from staff therapist to hospital CEO, Vedner Guerrier gained considerable experience and formed valuable relationships. Both have come in handy since he began leading operations earlier this year at Memorial Hospital Miramar, a 178-bed facility simultaneously expanding to meet the needs of a growing community and waging war against COVID-19.
 
During his first 90 days as CEO, Guerrier and his executive staff have essentially combined two hospitals into one in Miramar. In one area, clinicians care for patients overcoming traditional medical issues and deliver babies at a facility that includes a Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Level II neonatal intensive care unit. In the other, critical care is provided to COVID-19 patients, 50% of whom come from Miami-Dade County.   
 
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead this hospital,” said the tri-lingual Guerrier, a 44-year-old ‘Miami guy’ born in the Bahamas to Haitian parents. “It’s my job to get our teams to work collaboratively and produce results needed by the communities we serve.”  
 
With an increased number of patients crossing county lines seeking medical attention, Memorial will soon open the first of four floors of a 130,000-square foot medical pavilion to meet the growing demand for healthcare services in southwest Broward and northwest Miami-Dade counties. 
 
Guerrier is working to ensure a wide variety of physicians have access to the specialty services pavilion. “I’m not doing any of this alone and look forward to welcoming those who can best serve our diverse catchment area.” 
 
Once completed, the building will feature an ambulatory surgical center with four operating rooms for outpatient procedures, women’s imaging services (ultrasound, mammography, and bone density), and an entire floor dedicated to pediatric services that will include specialists in orthopedics, endocrinology, otolaryngology, and neurology, among others.
 
Of his rise through the Memorial Healthcare System to the top spot at Memorial Hospital Miramar, Guerrier says he was inspired to be a leader by the words of a former mentor who said there are three types of people: ‘those who make it happen, those who watch what happens, and those who ask what happened.’ 
 
 
ABOUT:
Memorial Healthcare System (www.mhs.net) is one of the largest public healthcare systems in the U.S. and a national leader in quality care and patient, physician, and employee satisfaction. It is highly regarded for a patient and family-centered approach that prioritizes multi-disciplinary collaboration, research, innovation, and transparency. 
 
A South Florida-based academic medical center, Memorial is committed to healing the body, mind, and spirit of those it cares for at six hospitals (including Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital), numerous primary, urgent, and 24/7 care facilities, a health specialty center, and nursing home. 
 
To learn more, visit mhs.net and connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 
 

 



New hours help meet the area’s growing demand for healthcare   
    
Effective May 1, Holy Cross Urgent Care will offer new, even more, convenient hours to patients. Both Holy Cross Urgent Care centers new operating hours are 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. and 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. on weekends.  The urgent care centers are located at 1115 S. Federal Hwy. in Rio Vista and 3481 N. University Dr. in Coral Springs.    
 
Holy Cross Urgent Care provides walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries.  Most major insurances are accepted with no appointment necessary for patients ages three months and up.  Conditions treated include: 
 
•                Fever 
•                Cold and flu 
•                Minor cuts that may need stitches 
•                Possible broken bones or simple fractures 
•                Minor eye, ear and skin irritation 
•                Sore throat 
•                Sprains and strains 
•                Vomiting and diarrhea 
 
Holy Cross Urgent Care provides on-site, Rapid COVID-19, flu and strep testing at its urgent care centers.  Results are available in minutes. 
 
Holy Cross Urgent Care centers also offer next-level convenience with options like online registration and bill-pay. Patients that check-in online using their home computer or mobile device will automatically receive texts, counting them down to their scheduled arrival time. Patients who cannot make it to the center can also schedule a “Virtual Visit.” To learn more, visit HolyCrossUrgentCare.com. 
 
All Holy Cross Urgent Care centers follow CDC recommended “COVID-19” safety protocols that include: 
 
•Masks  
•Temperature and symptom Checks  
•Strict cleaning and disinfection processes    
•Curbside visits 
•Seating and floor markings to ensure social distancing 
 
Holy Cross Urgent Care centers will operate as a seamless extension of the Holy Cross Health System. In cases where follow-up care is needed, patients will have a fast-track option to see a Holy Cross physician or an affiliated specialist.  Most insurance will be accepted. 
 
 
About Holy Cross Urgent Care 
 
Holy Cross Urgent Care provides state-of-the-art walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries seven days a week, including holidays.  Centers are equipped with digital x-ray, laboratory services, and an electronic medical records (EMR) system. Licensed providers perform procedures like splinting, suturing and occupational health services ranging from workplace injuries, DOT/Non-DOT Physicals, Blood Analysis, Return-to-Work Exams and Drug Testing.  Holy Cross Urgent Care operates as a seamless extension of the Holy Cross Health System and is accredited nationally by the Urgent Care Association, ensuring the highest level of care.  As always, if you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.  Holy Cross Urgent Care is part of the Premier Health Family of Urgent Care Centers. 
 


Palm Health Foundation and Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties fund Thank Our Healers program to recognize nurses’ important contributions during COVID-19 and beyond.
 
 
May 5 2021 – In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2021, Palm Health Foundation and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties are announcing the launch of the Thank Our Healers program that will offer complimentary admittances to Palm Beach County nurses and their guests at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens to recognize their devotion to patient care. The foundations joined together to fund the program to show appreciation and offer nurses a time for respite and relaxation in support of their mental health during exceptionally challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative follows the successful Healers in the Gardens program at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens first offered to 500 nurses in fall 2020 and funded by a grant from Palm Health Foundation.
 
The three county attractions offer nurses a variety of experiences:
 
•Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park will provide complimentary entrance fees for 700 nurses and their families (a carload up to eight people) beginning on May 6, 2021 until passes run out. Nurses will have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful barrier island paradise and its many amenities to relax and recharge. To enjoy free entrance, nurses will drive through the main entrance, show their nurse ID and then are welcome to explore the beautiful park. 
 
•The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is offering 1,100 free admissions for nurses and family members beginning May 6, 2021 until passes run out. Thank Our Healers passes provide admission for up to 8 people per party. Guests will experience exhibits including Journey Through the Human Brain and Dinosaur Revolution and enjoy outdoor activities such as the Fisher Family Science Trail and miniature golf Conservation Course for a fun and educational family outing. To redeem free admission, nurses must show their employee ID at the admission counter when they arrive. Admission is first-come, first-served. 
 
•Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is currently offering visitor passes on a first-come, first-served basis through June 2021 at this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ansg-healers-in-the-gardens-2020-2021-tickets-123085525119
 
The Gardens will again offer visitor passes for 1,000 Palm Beach County nurses with a guest when their next season opens in October 2021. The program ends in June 2022 or when passes run out. Each visiting nurse and their guest will enjoy an urban sanctuary of almost two acres, including Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens of rare palms and cycads. Guests will receive a gift of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens signature notecards. Nurses will be able to claim their passes in the fall of 2021 at a forthcoming Eventbrite link. 
Both art and nature have been shown to have positive effects on mental health, and the combination of the two in “creative green prescription programs” have demonstrated synergistic benefits on psychosocial wellbeing. On any given day, nurses experience anxiety and burnout, and there is strong evidence that the pandemic has caused nurses to experience unprecedented levels of stress. 
 
Patrick McNamara, Palm Health Foundation president and CEO, sees the unique partnership program as a meaningful extension of the foundation’s long history of recognizing the contributions of nurses and its dedication to growing and strengthening the nursing workforce in Palm Beach County. “We are grateful to the Community Foundation for joining with us to offer our county heroes time for self-care at these exceptional cultural and recreational areas,” he said. “More than ever, nurses deserve our gratitude and recognition of their selfless dedication, especially during the pandemic. We appreciate the community organizations who have come together to show how much we care about their wellbeing.”
 
If You Go
 
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
10900 Jack Nicklaus Dr, 
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
macarthurbeach.org
 
South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
4801 Dreher Trail North
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
sfsciencecenter.org
 
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
253 Barcelona Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
ansg.org
 
 
About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. 
 
Since the foundation’s inception in 2001, it has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships and invested more than $10 million in initiatives to build a highly skilled nursing workforce that provides care across all settings and supports optimal health in the community including care transitions and care coordination. As Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, Palm Health Foundation works with donors to make contributions to its Nursing Advancement Fund or to create donor advised funds in support of nursing, behavioral health, or any health-related cause to benefit Palm Beach County.  
 
 
For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.
 
 
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties strives to serve as a catalyst for building vibrant communities through meaningful philanthropy. The nonprofit organization has provided more than $150 million in grants and scholarships over its nearly 50-year history. With more than $200 million in assets, it is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. Through the support of its donors and fundholders, the Foundation has been able to address some of the community’s most pressing needs, including hunger, housing and education.  www.yourcommunityfoundation.org
 


May 4, 2021 – Jackson Health System is making changes to its COVID -19 visitation guidelines to align with the latest national and state safety protocols. Effective  Wednesday, May 5, limited visitation will be allowed in some patient units. 
 
While virtual visits remain the safest form of interaction during the COVID pandemic, and Jackson staff is committed to providing the equipment, attention, and support necessary to arrange those calls, Jackson understands that in-person visitation is an important part of a patient’s care and recovery.
 
Under the new patient visitation guidelines, visitors must adhere to the following:
 
•       Hospitalized adult patients may have one healthy visitor at a time from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Additional visitors must wait outside the building or come at a different time.
•       All visitors must be at least 18 years old.
•       Visitors who leave the facility must be re-screened for re-entry.
•       Visitors may be requested to leave the patient’s room during procedures or treatments.
•       The visitor for a patient with a scheduled procedure must remain in a designated lounge while the patient is being cared for. At the end of the procedure, a member of the patient’s care team will let the visitor know that it is safe to visit their loved one in their room.
•       Inpatients receiving care at Jackson Behavioral Hospital – adults and children – may have one healthy visitor for one hour per day:
             Visitors are welcome from 5 to 6 p.m. for patients whose last names begin with A-M.
             Visitors are welcome from 6 to 7 p.m. for patients whose last names begin with N-Z.
•       Behavioral health patients at Jackson South Medical Center may have one healthy visitor from 6 to 7 p.m. daily.
•       Visitation is allowed in our long-term care facilities, as directed by state and AHCA requirements.
•       Visitors are not allowed in adult emergency departments.
•       Adult patients are not allowed overnight visitors.
 
Exceptions to the new policy exist for labor and delivery patients, all pediatrics patients, babies in the Newborn ICU, rehabilitation, and end-of-life patients.
 
For a complete list of our COVID-19 revised visitation guidelines, please visit jacksonhealth.org.
 
 


May 4, 2021 –  With a mission of promoting innovation, education and research within the Southwest Florida community, Lee Health’s Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is announcing a donation of $150,000 to Florida Gulf Coast University to support bioengineering students. 
 
The $150,000 will be dispersed through the Lee Health Foundation over a period of three years, at $50,000 a year through student scholarships. 
 
The funds will be used to support FGCU bioengineering students in their junior and senior years. In addition to student scholarships, the donation will also be used to support the students’ professional development through conferences, travel, internships and other opportunities. The goal is to engage the students in the research, clinical delivery and community engagement that the Shipley Cardiothoracic Center participates in throughout the year.
 
“Through this fund, we are training the leaders of tomorrow. FGCU is such an important community partner, and we are proud to be able to provide this donation, which will create the Shipley Center Scholars Program Fund,” said Dr. Paul DiGiorgi, cardiothoracic surgeon at Shipley Cardiothoracic Center. “We hope to gain insight from the students as they conduct research, gather data, observe cases, etc., while also hoping to inspire the students to continue in biomedical engineering careers and learn from the surgeons here.” 
 
The Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is Lee Health’s cardiothoracic surgery program. It’s the largest program in the region performing over 1,600 surgical cases annually. The Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is located within HealthPark Medical Center, which is recognized as an IBM Watson Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital. HealthPark is the only hospital in Florida to receive this recognition for four consecutive years. 
 
In addition to providing high-quality care, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is dedicated to serving the community through partnerships with numerous local groups and organizations to bring awareness and education to the Southwest Florida region. The Shipley Cardiothoracic Center has had a long-standing partnership with FGCU that includes various educational projects and collaborative efforts with the university’s software engineering and bioengineering students, including an internship program called the Shipley Center Scholars.
 
"The Shipley Center Scholars program is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain relevant clinical exposure to the needs and problems associated with healthcare today. Working directly with the physicians, nurses and staff of Lee Health, these students will be able to translate their experiences in the hospital to project and research opportunities within our bioengineering program,” said Dr. Chris Geiger, associate professor and chair of the Department of Bioengineering at FGCU. “In addition to funding for tuition, the program will provide students with experiential learning opportunities through a summer internship, as well as additional support to disseminate their findings at regional and national conferences. We are extremely grateful to the Shipley Center and look forward to continuing to enhance the relationship we’ve built with them over the last several years." 
 
To learn more about the Shipley Cardiothoracic Center and how you can support this program and others, visit www.leehealthfoundation.org.
 
About Lee Health
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.