Ryan H. Sobel, M.D., a head and neck oncologic surgeon, has joined Broward Health Physician Group with his new primary practice location at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. Sobel has extensive experience in trans-oral robotic surgery.

Prior to joining Broward Health, Sobel worked at Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Surgery at the Milton J. Dancer Jr. Head and Neck Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He also served as the director of head and neck surgical oncology at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
 
Sobel earned his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and completed his fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital for advanced training in head and neck oncologic surgery. 


Bariatric surgeon Marlon Pastrana, M.D., has joined Baptist Health Medical Group. Dr. Pastrana specializes in weight-loss surgery that can reduce a patient’s risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Dr. Pastrana earned his medical degree at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, Netherlands Antilles. He completed two general surgery residencies at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University Hospital, Drexel University College of Medicine, both in Philadelphia, Pa. He also is fellowship trained in bariatric surgery, completing this comprehensive training at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown, Pa. Dr. Pastrana is a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.


The North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners cut taxes by reducing the millage rate, setting a new rate of 1.0324, which was also the proposed rollback rate. Last year’s millage rate was 1.0855. This rate reduction, compared to last year’s set millage rate, results in tax savings of almost $7 million for county taxpayers.

It is the eighth consecutive year that the North Broward Hospital District, d/b/a Broward Health, has reduced the millage rate, including a sustained $20 million reduction last year from the prior millage rate. The tax cut was achieved through Broward Health’s continued focus on operational improvements and reduction of expenses, as well as increasing revenues.
 
“This has been an incredible year for Broward Health,” said Gino Santorio, President/CEO. “We exceeded aggressive budgetary goals, which enabled us to roll back the millage rate and save taxpayers. This reduction was possible even as we made significant investments in robotics, technology and capital improvement projects.”  
 
“I’m exceptionally proud of Broward Health’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,” said Ray Berry, Chairman of the Board of the North Broward Hospital District. “These ongoing reductions of tax assistance illustrate the efforts made across Broward Health to provide the highest quality care at the lowest cost. This would not have been possible without the tremendous support of leadership, physicians and our passionate caregivers.”
 
The millage rate is a set percentage of property values used to generate tax funds to cover all uncompensated care costs for Broward Health, which includes four hospitals and Broward Health Community Health Services. Broward Health is the primary care provider for the indigent, uninsured and underinsured living in the northern two-thirds of Broward County.


 As outgoing chair Brian R. Lohmann passed the gavel to newly elected chair Leslie (Les) B. Daniels, Commissioner Lohmann said, “I have always been a firm believer in leaving it better than you found it.”

Commissioner Daniels and other members of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board agreed that during Lohmann’s eight years on the board, his leadership left the community better off, as the public health care system expanded access to care while reducing the burden on taxpayers.
 
“I have tremendous appreciation and respect for Brian,” said Darcy J. Davis, CEO of the Heath Care District. “He set the tone for fiscal responsibility and efficiency with an eye on meeting future needs. From the rich soil in the western communities, to the beaches on the coast, he governed equally and fairly.”
 
After recognizing Commissioner Lohmann, the Board elected Commissioner Daniels as new chair during the Board’s September meeting. Daniels was appointed to the Health Care District Board in May 2013 by former Florida Governor Rick Scott and was reappointed for a second four-year term in 2017. The Board re-elected Nancy C. Banner, Esq. as Vice Chair and Sean O’Bannon as Secretary.
 
Commissioner Daniels is an Operating Partner of AE Industrial Partners, L.P. He serves on the board of directors of Moeller Aerospace, as well as GAMCO Investors, Inc. (GBL). Daniels also serves on the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiation (ACTPN) as a presidential appointee. He is a former chair and former member of Florida’s State Board of Administration, Investment Advisory Council (IAC). Daniels received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Fordham University.


Palm Beach Hospice and Palliative Care by MorseLife has named Felicia Gonzalez, MSN, RN, CHPN, as Palliative Care Manager.
 
Gonzalez will be responsible for overseeing care goals, advance care planning and pain and symptom Gonzalez most recently served as a home-based palliative care nurse with Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham, Massachusetts, a Harvard Medical School affiliate.
 
Gonzalez received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Barry University in Miami and her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She is also BLS certified, a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care RN, ELNEC trained, and trained in the Serious Illness Conversation project.