The Martin Memorial Emergency Center at St. Lucie West, an off-site emergency department that is scheduled to open in fall 2009, will meet the critical medical services shortage currently facing residents of west Port St. Lucie by bringing them timely emergency care. The center will be located at the health system’s current facility at St. Lucie West and Martin Memorial recently held a groundbreaking ceremony initiating the renovations for the project.

Martin Memorial’s St. Lucie West facility will be renovated to meet state standards for emergency departments. The facility already features ancillary services such as CT and MRI capability, as well as other diagnostic technologies, which will make the transition more convenient and less expensive.

The 9,100-square foot emergency center will feature 12 beds and provide a wide range of care.



Hector Rodriguez-Cortes, M.D., a physician at Broward Health Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, recently passed the Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care boards. He continues to be actively involved in the development of the Barbara Ziegler Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Chris Evert Children’s Hospital.

Rodriguez-Cortes earned his undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Puerto Rico and his medical training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. After graduating, he completed his residency in pediatrics at the University Children’s Hospital in Puerto Rico. His fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology was conducted at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Dr. Rodriguez-Cortes is also board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology and oncology.



Information technology expert and globally experienced business executive Shubho Chatterjee, Ph.D., has been named chief information officer of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital at Douglas Gardens (MJHH). Dr. Chatterjee brings an accomplished educational and business background to MJHH, including management positions with multiple Fortune 500 companies and companies with operations on numerous continents.

Most recently he served as chief information officer and vice president of New York city-based Inventurus Knowledge Solutions. He has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed journal publications and earned numerous awards, including the International Data Group’s Cache Innovation Award, Quest Diagnostics’ Marketing Innovation Award and Bell Laboratories’ Advanced Technologies Excellence Award.



Florida Medical Center, is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Robin Simon to the staff.

Dr. Simon received her medical degree from Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa and interned with Oakland General Hospital in Michigan. Her fellowship in post-traumatic reconstruction and limb reconstruction was completed at Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston, TX. She completed her residency with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Prior to joining Florida Medical Center, Dr. Simon spent 10 years in clinical practice in Hollywood and Aventura, FL.



In June 2008, Dr. Joe Barimo, Executive Director of Education at Signature HealthCARE, was chosen by the student body of the University of Phoenix South Florida campus as the “Faculty Member of the Year”. During the commencement ceremony where he received the award, he addressed 10,000 attendees about the importance of teachers and how education makes a difference in people’s lives. Recently, Dr. Barimo was asked to participate in the grand opening of the University of Phoenix Miami Learning Center and be a part of the group that presented the Education Leadership Award from the University of Phoenix to Miami Dade County. In addition, he presented on the topic of wellness, specifically, identifying and coping with stress. These techniques are useful for students and non-students alike.

Dr. Barimo currently is working with Signature HealthCARE to create a learning focus that will advance the skills and education levels of its employees, while positively impacting resident care.