April 6, 2021  – NCH Healthcare System (NCH) announced that Dr. Robert J.Cubeddu has joined the organization as its new President of the NCH Heart Institute. This ispart of NCH’s strategy and commitment to transform its cardiovascular services into a premier destination center for South Florida and beyond.

Dr. Cubeddu is a world-renowned cardiologist who comes to NCH from Cleveland Clinic Florida where he led the organization since 2015 as Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine and Regional Director of Structural Heart Disease. He brings to NCH a reputation of clinical excellence, exemplary leadership and outstanding patient quality outcomes.

Dr. Cubeddu received his medical education, and was valedictorian of his graduating class, at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He completed his post-graduate training as honorary Chief Resident and Cardiovascular Fellow at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. Subsequently, Dr. Cubeddu finalized his advanced training in Interventional Cardiology and Structural Heart Disease, becoming one of the first in the nation to pursue this subspecialty at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Over his career he has effectively established a robust academic practice and international reputation by means of his unique minimally invasive transcatheter skills to treat a multitude of valvular, structural and congenital heart conditions, including: TAVR, Mitraclip, transcatheter mitral valve replacement, PVL closure, ASD, PDA and PFO closure, Watchman among others, providing patients a safe and attractive alternative to open heart surgery.

His academic attributes are best reflected by his involvement in numerous scientific publications including original manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters. Having been involved as Principal Investigator in a multitude of nationally recognized clinical trials and the early development of cutting-edge technology, Dr. Cubeddu plans to expand and endorse the important foundations of research, education and innovation to uniquely position NCH. Dr.Cubeddu continues to serve on the editorial board of major peer-review journals, and as expert field panelist in a multitude of international cardiovascular meetings.

“At the NCH Heart Institute, physicians and staff have worked hard to build a strong foundation,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System. “Last year, the NCH Heart Institute earned the distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, which places NCH among the elite programs for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.”

NCH was also named one of America’s 100 best for cardiac care six years in a row by Healthgrades (2016-2021) as well as being ranked by U.S. News & World Report as eleventh in the state of Florida.

“We are excited and looking forward to having Dr. Cubeddu build upon our foundations and advancing our cardiac services,” said Paul Hiltz. “His patient experience scores are practically perfect, and his reputation and recruitment resources will unquestionably establish NCH for growth. Dr. Cubeddu will lead us to become a top destination for cardiac care in the nation.” Dr. Cubeddu will lead a team of nearly two dozen highly specialized cardiac providers currently at the NCH Heart Institute with future plans calling for more.

“Meaningful growth requires focusing on collaborative relationship and building the formation of a strong multidisciplinary heart team,” said Dr. Cubeddu. “I’m excited for the opportunity to lead a world-class cardiac institute with the goal of becoming the preferred destination for cardiac care in Florida and the U.S. The key to providing exceptional outcomes and patient experience begins with the trust and collaboration of our patients, their families, and an extraordinary clinical team committed to better health and wellness.”

Dr. Cubeddu will assume the role in June, 2021. To read more about Dr. Cubeddu’s impressive background, please visit: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/20274-robert-cubeddu#locations.

About NCH Healthcare System
The NCH Healthcare System is a not-for-profit, multi-facility healthcare system located in Naples, Florida, and is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The System is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Naples Hospital) with a total of 713 beds. NCH is an alliance of 775 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Collier County and southwest Florida that offers nationally recognized, quality health care to our community. Our mission is to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.

 

 



April 13, 2021 – Maribel A. Torres, MSM, BS, RN-BC, joins the staff of North Shore Medical Center as the hospital’s new chief nursing officer. Torres has more than 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in nursing. In her new role at North Shore Medical Center, Torres is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the hospital’s nursing units and their daily operations.
 
“I would like to welcome Maribel to the North Shore Medical Center family,” said Matthew K. Garner, Chief Executive Officer of North Shore Medical Center. “I am very excited about her vision for the nursing organization at North Shore, and I am confident that she will lead the team to long-term success.”  
 
In her most recent role as CNO at Hialeah Hospital, Torres was instrumental in implementing forward-thinking practices in emergency services to significantly improve core ED throughout metrics, recertifying & maintaining the hospital’s TJC Primary Stroke accreditation and building an accredited Bariatric Surgical Program.  A passionate advocate for patient safety and nursing practice, she was also successful in developing programs that led to sustained performance in nursing-specific quality metrics that far exceeded national averages, including falls, CLABSIs, CAUTIs, hospital-acquired wounds, turnover and patient experience.  Her leadership at Hialeah Hospital throughout COVID has been vital to the success of the hospital at large.  Prior to her role at Hialeah Hospital, Torres served as Executive Vice President of Patient Care Services, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations and CNO for various acute care hospitals across the Northeast United States.  She has a BS in Healthcare Leadership and a BS in Nursing.  She also has a Master of Science in Management.
                                                                                   
                                                                                     
About North Shore Medical Center 
North Shore Medical Center is a 337-bed general acute care community hospital located at 1100 NW 95th Street in Miami, Florida. The hospital is part of Tenet Healthcare’s Miami-Dade Group and has been serving the medical and healthcare needs of the North Miami community for more than 65 years. North Shore Medical Center offers a broad range of services, including: 24/7 emergency care, maternity services with a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a cardiac catheterization lab, and psychiatric care. The hospital also offers specialized centers including: A Community Cancer Center, Comprehensive Breast Institute, Sleep Disorders Center, Pain Care Center and Comprehensive Stroke Care Center.   
North Shore Medical Center has consistently won achievement awards with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program. The hospital has earned the 2018 Stroke and Target Stroke Elite Plus Quality Achievement Award and the 2018 Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. First in Florida Joint Commission Accredited Chest Pain Center. North Shore Medical Center is among 832 Hospitals Nationwide Awarded an “A” for its commitment to keeping patients safe and making the highest safety standards in the U.S for Fall, 2017 and Spring 2018. The Leapfrog Hospital Survey is the gold standard for comparing hospital’s performance on the national standards of quality and efficiency that are most relevant to consumers and purchasers of care.  
 
North Shore Medical Center is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about North Shore Medical Center, please visit www.northshoremedical.com. 
 


Center of Excellence Recognizes High Degree of Experience with New Technology
 
April 13 2021 – Lief Urology today announced that Matthew S. Lief M.D. has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Rezum Water Vapor Therapy treatment – a minimally invasive in-office procedure for men looking to treat their benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), not just the symptoms. Rezum Therapy uses natural water vapor to reduce the size of the prostate and provide lasting symptom relief from BPH without invasive surgery or some of the potential side effects of prescription drugs. The Center of Excellence designation recognizes Matthew S. Lief M.D.’s high degree of experience with Rezum Water Vapor Therapy and commitment to delivering significant, lasting symptom relief to men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
 
BPH is a condition in which a man’s prostate enlarges and squeezes the urethra, causing frustrating symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, and the need to get up several times a night to urinate. It affects about 50% of men by age 60, and up to 90% of men by age 85.
 
“Being designated as a Rezum Center of Excellence is a meaningful recognition for us, as we strive to provide the best possible treatment of urological conditions for patients in Broward County and surrounding areas,” said Matthew S. Lief M.D.  “For years, the primary options for treating BPH were through behavior modifications, medications or invasive surgery. However, medications may not work for everyone and may have undesirable side effects such as dizziness, sexual dysfunction and lower sex drive.3 With Rezum Therapy, we’re able to provide relief of BPH for men who do not want to take medication or want to avoid invasive surgery and implants.”
 
During Rezum Therapy, which takes place during one short office visit, natural water vapor is released throughout the targeted prostate tissue. When the steam contacts the tissue and turns back to water, it releases energy, destroying the excess prostate cells that squeeze the urethra. Over time, the body’s natural healing response removes the dead cells and shrinks the prostate. With the extra tissue removed, the urethra opens, relieving BPH symptoms while preserving erectile and urinary function.1 This procedure does not require general anesthesia and is performed under oral sedation or local anesthesia.
 
“I was so thankful when my physician told me that LiefUrology began offering Rezum Therapy,” said Mel Sherman, 81, Ft. Lauderdale, FL who received Rezum Therapy in 12/20. “After years of waking up multiple times a night to use the bathroom and not being happy with the results of my medications, it was truly life-changing to have an effective, minimally invasive therapy available to me that didn’t require hospitalization. The best part is I was back to doing the activities I love just a few days after the procedure.
 
Lief Urology 9750 N.W. 33rd Street Suite 218, Coral Springs, FL 33065 – Phone 954-755-3801
 


FAU Schmidt College of Medicine and an International Team Publish Study Findings in ‘International Journal of Cardiology’  
 
April 12, 2021 — Family history of early cardiac events in first degree relatives such as a parent or sibling is a major risk factor, especially for premature events. Currently, data on risks in close relatives of patients with a family history of premature heart attacks, chronic stable angina or peripheral vascular disease are sparse. 
 
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine in collaboration with an international team of leading scientists in Italy, the United Kingdom and Poland, assembled a consecutive series of 230 patients with premature onset of heart attacks, strokes, angina or peripheral artery disease and a comparison group of apparently healthy men and women during a 24-month period. The comparison group had no family or personal history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and had normal electrocardiograms (ECGs), cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressures and glucose. Researchers defined a premature event as occurring in men 60 years or younger and in women 65 years or younger. 
   
  “Our data indicate that early cardiac events pose major and different risks in close relatives,” said Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.PH. senior author, the First Sir Richard Doll Professor and senior academic advisor in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. “Further, since families share more than genes, not surprisingly, these data are compatible with a role for both genetic and environmental factors.”  
 
The data, published in the International Journal of Cardiology, also suggest that first degree relatives of patients with premature heart attacks compared with those presenting with a first episode of chronic stable angina or peripheral vascular disease have a shorter survival time. Patients with heart attacks and chronic stable angina reported significantly higher frequencies of attacks in their first degree relatives than patients with peripheral vascular disease. In contrast, patients with chronic stable angina and peripheral vascular disease reported significantly higher frequencies of chronic stable angina and peripheral vascular disease, respectively, in their first degree relatives compared to patients with heart attacks. 
 
“Family history of early onset events is a major and independent risk factor. Thus, patients with a positive parental or sibling history of premature cardiac events require even more aggressive therapeutic lifestyle changes as well as adjunctive drug therapies of proven benefit,” said Hennekens. “In the United States, Europe and worldwide, most guidelines recommend risk scores for initial clinical assessments, which do not include family history of early events.”
 
Hennekens formerly served as the first John Snow and the first Braunwald professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. His groundbreaking scientific findings have significantly improved the ability to treat as well as prevent CVD, and for more than a decade, he was ranked as the third most widely cited medical researcher in the world by Science Watch.  
Hennekens has collaborated for several decades with Felicita Andreotti, M.D., Ph.D., first author and a professor at Catholic University Cardiovascular Medicine in Rome; and brought the data when she served as visiting professor at FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. Their collaborations have included the major role of therapeutic lifestyle changes, especially overweight and obesity and physical inactivity as well as statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, aspirin, converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. 
 
In this study, Hennekens and Andreotti collaborated with Janet Robishaw, Ph.D., co-author and senior associate dean for research and chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. Andreotti had conducted the study at the Hammersmith Hospital and London Chest Hospital in the United Kingdom.  
 
“Recent advances in human genome sequencing as well as basic and population genetics may help identify specific genotypes that predispose to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, or both,” said Robishaw, a world renowned functional and translational genomics researcher with 30 years of sustained federal funding from the National Institutes of Health who trained under Nobel Laureate Alfred G. Gilman, Ph.D. “Further studies also are needed to identify and quantify the functional role of candidate and marker genes for cardiovascular phenotypes and risk factors, as well as to better understand plausible independent contributions as well as interactions between nature and nurture concerning family history as a major and independent risk factor in cardiovascular disease, especially of premature onset.”   
 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for many decades, heart disease has been the leading killer among American men and women, causing approximately 600,000 deaths each year of which about 25 percent present with sudden cardiac death.
 
Study co-authors are Filippo Crea, Ph.D., professor of cardiology at the Catholic University in Rome, Italy; Giuseppe Patti, M.D., Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy; Carol C. Shoulders, Ph.D., Queen Mary University of London, England, UK; Eliano Pio Navarese, M.D., Ph.D., Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland; and Attilio Maseri, M.D., of Florence, Italy, an internationally renowned researcher in ischemic heart disease.  
 
 
 
 
About the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine: 
FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is one of approximately 155 accredited medical schools in the U.S. The college was launched in 2010, when the Florida Board of Governors made a landmark decision authorizing FAU to award the M.D. degree. After receiving approval from the Florida legislature and the governor, it became the 134th allopathic medical school in North America. With more than 70 full and part-time faculty and more than 1,300 affiliate faculty, the college matriculates 64 medical students each year and has been nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum. To further FAU’s commitment to increase much needed medical residency positions in Palm Beach County and to ensure that the region will continue to have an adequate and well-trained physician workforce, the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Consortium for Graduate Medical Education (GME) was formed in fall 2011 with five leading hospitals in Palm Beach County. The Consortium currently has five Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residencies including internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and neurology.
 
About Florida Atlantic University: 
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu. 


Patients Must Pre-Register at BrowardHealth.org
 
Broward Health is currently accepting new appointment requests for COVID-19 vaccination. With consistently low wait times, the entire process – from check-in to completing observation – averages about 45 minutes. The majority of vaccinations are held at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.  
 
“Broward Health has vaccinated thousands of members of our community at our site in collaboration with the City of Fort Lauderdale,” said Aldo Calvo, D.O., medical director of ambulatory services, Broward Health. “We are able to deliver these vaccines safely and efficiently, with virtually no wait times.” 
 
The site is open Monday through Friday and averages 1,250 pre-registered patients per day. Anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are pregnant, breast feeding, receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you must bring a note from you treating physician.
 
Community members are encouraged to register for an appointment at BrowardHealth.org. Guests should visit the website and at the top of the page click on “To submit a request click here” to complete and submit the necessary vaccination request form. Broward Health schedulers will then call and book first and second appointments. 
 
“As one of the first health systems in the region to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to the community, Broward Health is proud of the public’s response,” said Dr. Calvo. “Demand for the vaccine has been great, and by partnering with our community to administer these safe vaccines, our caregivers are proud to play a role in ending this pandemic as quickly as possible.”
 
About Broward Health
Broward Health, providing service for more than 80 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.