February 12, 2024 – Naiara Abreu Fraga Braghiroli, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Skin Cancer Clinic at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, was installed as the Kalman Bass Endowed Chair in Skin Cancer at a ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami. The program was led by Joe Natoli, EVP and chief administrative officer for Baptist Health; Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation; and Michael Zinner, M.D., CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute and Baptist Health Cancer Care, followed by a presentation by Dr. Braghiroli.
The endowed chair was established in 2022 and was named in honor of Kalman Bass, to commemorate his 100th birthday. It will support the work of Dr. Braghiroli, a dermatologist at Miami Cancer Institute who treated Mr. Bass.
“We are excited to play a role in this important occasion for Miami Cancer Institute,” said Alex Villoch. “The generosity of the Bass family will have an enormous impact on Dr. Braghiroli’s work in skin cancer research, leaving a legacy that will benefit South Florida for years to come.”
Dr.Braghiroli specializes in skin cancer treatment that uses the latest technology to monitor and diagnose high-risk patients. These technologies include the VECTRA WB360 whole-body skin lesion mapping system, reflectance confocal microscopy and
optical coherence tomography.
Dr. Braghiroli holds a Ph.D. in human pathology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and Brazilian Dermatology Society, as well as a member of the American Confocal Group and the International Dermoscopy Society. Dr. Braghiroli’s research has been published in many peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including Dermatology, Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery and Brazilian Annals of Dermatology. She is a frequent presenter at professional meetings and has served as a reviewer of the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, and International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Case Reports.
Dr. Braghiroli is involved in Miami Cancer Institute’s clinical trials for the treatment of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. She is also part of a multidisciplinary team of skin cancer specialists, including dermatologists, oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists, that meet each week to discuss complex patient cases.
“I am honored to officially accept this endowed chair,” said Dr. Braghiroli. “The detection and treatment of skin cancer has been my life’s work, so I am grateful to have the funding to help us expand our knowledge about treating these conditions, which affect so many in South Florida.”
Kalman Bass is a long-time Florida resident, having moved here from New York in 1947 with his wife, Irma, after honeymooning in Miami. The couple started a soon-to-be thriving elevator manufacturing company, which their son and grandson now run.
Mr. Bass believes strongly that philanthropy supports visionary physicians, drives innovation and ensures the community has the excellent healthcare it needs. “Dr. Braghiroli is a wonderful physician — anyone would be fortunate to have her as a doctor,” he said. “I am so happy she is being awarded this Chair and know that these funds will help advance her research and impact many people’s lives.”
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.
