May 3, 2021 – Westside Regional Medical Center received an “A” grade in the spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing Westside Regional Medical Center’s achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical errors and other harms to patients in their care. 

 
“We are proud to offer our patients with care that is laser focused on patients and their safety here at Westside Regional,” said Barbara J. Simmons, RN, Chief Executive Officer at Westside Regional Medical Center. “We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care, while offering the most state-of-the-art equipment to our community.”
Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,700 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
 
Westside Regional Medical Center was awarded an “A” grade today when Leapfrog updated grades for spring 2021. To see Westside Regional Medical Center’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook. 
 
 
 
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. 
 
About Westside Regional Medical Center
Westside Regional Medical Center, an award-winning 250-bed hospital, is recognized for providing a wide array of services to the residents of Broward County, South Florida and visitors from around the world. We offer 24-hour comprehensive medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including oncology, cardiology and emergency care. Westside Regional also offers the community with the latest in minimally invasive spine and colorectal surgery and is one of only nine Joint Commission certified centers in the United States for minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Not only is Westside Regional certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA), but it also received its Thrombectomy Capable Center certification from the Joint Commission. Westside Regional Medical Center is also a teaching and research facility, offering Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in podiatry, surgery and internal medicine. For over 45 years, Westside Regional Medical Center has been committed to expanding and improving every facet of the organization, devoting significant time and resources to enhancing the facility, staff and medical care. Westside Regional Medical Center has an outstanding staff, which includes physicians, specialists and employees, all of whom place importance in making their patients feel welcome and comfortable.
 
HCA EAST FLORIDA
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center +
 JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Plantation General Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital & Medical Center + Westside Regional Medical Center
 


Interactive Flip Book of May Issue 



BY BRITTANY SYLVESTRI 4/29/2021 – FROM FAU NEWS DESK
 
 
From left to right, Andre Jones; Bradley Sorte; Shernette Dunn, Ph.D.; Melissa Durbin; Viridiana Lieberman; Dr. David Dillon; and Dr. Michael Metzner. Not pictured: Raymond Faloona and Maria Jasin, Ph.D. (Photo by Alex Dolce)
 
The Florida Atlantic University Alumni Association (FAUAA) hosted its annual Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni ceremony and reception recently. The event brought together alumni to celebrate the accomplishments of their most outstanding peers. Alumni from seven of FAU’s colleges were honored for their career accomplishments, and Dr. Michael Metzner, B.A.’12, a graduate of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and Melissa Durbin, B.S.N. ’96, M.S. ’12, a graduate of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing were introduced as the 2021 inductees into the FAUAA Hall of Fame.
 
Dr. Metzner is a medical advisor and associate producer for ABC Studios. He currently works with writers to help create medical stories, as well as with directors and actors to produce realistic and captivating stories for television. In 2017, he was selected as a medical communications fellow for ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Dr. Metzner has worked on projects with ABC, HBO, CBS, FOX, and Netflix with some of the greatest storytellers in the industry.
 
Dr. Metzner graduated in 2012 from the Wilkes Honors College at FAU as a Flagler Scholar with a double concentration in biological chemistry and visual art with a passion to unite the arts and sciences. He completed the M.D. program at the University of Central Florida and continued his post-graduate training as a general surgery resident at UT Health San Antonio, one of the leading trauma centers in the country.
 
Durbin is chief nursing officer and vice president at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. She joined Boca Raton Regional Hospital in 2006 as executive director of the Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute. Durbin obtained her undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees from FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing with a focus on administrative finance and nursing leadership.
 
Durbin is a member of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing advisory board, the past president of the Nursing Consortium of South Florida and the past president of the South Florida Organization of Nurse Executives. Previously, Durbin served as the director of trauma and critical care services at Delray Medical Center. She was responsible for the administrative trauma service functions as well as the clinical operations of the Level II trauma service. She actively participated in county and state initiatives for access to trauma care.
 
“These nine outstanding Owls embody everything FAU stands for: ambition, grit and a resilient spirit,” said Julie Lauderbaugh, assistant vice president of communications, alumni and donor engagement. “After such a tough year, we are delighted to elevate and celebrate their stories of perseverance and achievement to inspire our entire University community.”
 
Representing seven of FAU’s colleges are the following distinguished alumni:
 
Viridiana Lieberman, M.A. ’12, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Raymond Faloona, B.B.A. ’90, MAc ’91, College of Business
Bradley Sorte, MSW ’11, MBA ’14, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Shernette Dunn, M.Ed. ’04, Ed.S. ’10, Ph.D. ’20, College of Education
Andre Jones, B.S. ’92, College of Engineering and Computer Science
David Dillon, M.S. ’11, M.D. ’15, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Maria Jasin, Ph.D., B.S. ’78, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science


April 30, 2021 –  Beginning today, anyone over the age of 16 can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Lee Health. The vaccination clinic is open to the community; you do not need to be a Lee Health patient to get the vaccine.
 
Lee Health recently received a shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is approved for use in those 16 years-old and above. You can schedule your appointment by visiting www.leehealth.org.
 
Appointments are available as early as next week. A parent or authorized guardian must accompany a minor for vaccination. 
 “We are pleased to be able to now vaccinate our 16 and 17 year-olds, and I encourage all teens in this age group to come in with a parent or guardian to get the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and chief executive officer of Lee Health. “It would be wonderful if we could get as many students vaccinated as possible before they begin the next school next year.”
 
All self-scheduling appointments must be made online, and Lee Health kindly asks that you not to call our hospitals or physician offices to inquire about vaccine appointments as it overwhelms our phone system and keeps others from reaching us for their care. 
 
A mask is required to enter any Lee Health facility.
You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving your final dose of the vaccine. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html. 
 
 
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.
 


 
April 30, 2021 – Cancer Center of South Florida, part of Tampa General Hospital (TGH), recently unveiled its new location in Palm Springs, Fla.
 
Located at 1630 South Congress Avenue, the improved facility provides an enhanced patient flow and experience, including a streamlined check-in and checkout process. The new space includes eight exam rooms, 16 chemotherapy infusion bays, and a USP 800 certified pharmacy. Cancer Center of South Florida’s upgraded location provides 6,000 square feet of office space, along with ample patient parking. 
 
“Our new, state-of-the-art facility ensures our patients will continue to receive the highest quality care, utilizing the latest treatment technologies,” said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, TGH chief of oncology and senior vice president of oncology and network development. “Placing our patients first and enhancing overall patient care and satisfaction is of utmost importance. Our new location offers a warm and compassionate atmosphere with an unparalleled level of care.”
 
 
The upgrade follows Cancer Center of South Florida’s recent alliance with TGH, a major academic medical center expanding into Palm Beach County. Palm Beach and Treasure Coast residents can now receive world-class cancer treatment and services, provided by a leading academic medical center, paired with hometown convenience. 
 
Tampa General surgical oncologists and specialists work in collaboration with local physicians to provide the most comprehensive treatment options in a seamless, coordinated manner. Cancer specialists travel to Palm Beach County to consult with local patients, working closely with their referring physicians to create a comprehensive treatment plan. 
 
Patients are able to receive case evaluations from multidisciplinary panels of TGH experts, participate in a broader array of cutting-edge clinical trials, and benefit from new services such as palliative care and genetic counseling. And those patients who need complex, specialized surgeries will benefit from a convenient, streamlined process to have surgeries in Tampa with pre- and post-surgery care performed in Palm Beach. 
 
Cancer Center of South Florida currently has two locations in Palm Beach County, with its Palm Beach Gardens office servicing North County residents, and its new Palm Springs office catering to Central and South County patients. 
 
For more information, please visit cancercenterofsouthflorida.com.
 
 
ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 1,007-bed, nonprofit, academic medical center, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region’s only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-21 Best Hospitals, and one of the top 4 hospitals in Florida, with five specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. It is one of the nation’s busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center and its 32-bed Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed, Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital’s footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health, and 19 outpatient Radiology Centers. Tampa Bay residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even receive home visits in select areas through TGH Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.