Miami-Dade County’s HCA affiliate Hospitals – Cedars Medical Center, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, and Kendall Regional Medical Center- are proud to be the Gold Sponsor of the Mayor’s Initiative on Aging.

The Mayor’s Initiative on Aging is a wellness and safety campaign for Miami-Dade County residents 55 and over. It is organized by the Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, The Alliance for Aging Inc. and the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. The initiative provides seniors with free resources to manage their health including free health screenings, free health educational materials and free fitness activities.

(l-r) Anthony M. Degina, CEO Cedars Medical Center; Dr. Allan Fishman, Chief of Radiology Cedars Medical Center; Dr. Rafael Antun, Chief of Staff Cedars Medical Center; Susie Lambert, Interim COO Cedars Medical Center; and Carlos Alvarez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.

The Initiative also focuses on the training and continued education of caregivers throughout Miami-Dade County. On September 28th, a Geriatric Symposium for physicians was held at Cedars Medical Center. This accredited free seminar allowed physicians to receive 4.0 AMA PRA category 1 credits through the Florida AHEC network. The program included Pain in the Elderly: Understanding & Treatment of Chronic Pain, Nutrition: The Way to Better Health – It Starts with You, and Prevention of Medical Errors. Mayor Carlos Alvarez attended the event to show his continued support for the care of the elderly.



Joe Rogers, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Managed Care at the North Broward Hospital District, has been reappointed to Florida’s Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Network Advisory Council.

The CMS Network Advisory Council serves as an advisory body to the Florida Department of Health. The council’s 12 members represent the private healthcare sector, families of children with special healthcare needs, the Agency for Healthcare Administration, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an academic health center pediatric program and the health insurance industry.

“The North Broward Hospital District and the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center have a long history of providing care for children with chronic health conditions,” Rogers said. “The Council provides insight and recommendations in addressing the needs of these children. I appreciate the opportunity to represent NBHD and to bring our ideas and experience to the Council.”



Robert Schwartz, M.D., University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Chair, was elected chairman of the South Florida Health Information Initiative, an emerging Regional Health Information Organization formed to advance the adoption of electronic health information in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Health Foundation of South Florida President and CEO, Steven E. Marcus, Ed.D., who was elected vice-chairman of the board, states “I am looking forward to working with the SFHII board and executive committee, including Sandra Gonzalez-Levy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Terrermark Worldwide, Inc., who will serve as board treasurer, and Sandra Greenblatt, Esq., a local health law attorney, as board secretary.”



Welcomed by mimes and fire eaters, families entered the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center bubbling with excitement for Florida’s inaugural Kids Party for a Cure, presented by Jonathan and Lexi Greenwald. The combined carnival and circus atmosphere created fun for the whole family. It also raised funds nearing $300,000 for the Diabetes Research Institute, the best hope for a cure for 8-year-old Lexi and all others living with type 1 diabetes. Presenting sponsors Jonathan and Lexi Greenwald (front) and their parents, committee chairpersons Amy and Scott Greenwald, happily gave support to the Diabetes Research Institute with Kids Party for a Cure.



Governor-Elect Charlie Crist has named North Broward Hospital District Commissioners Robert Bernstein and Jacob Jackson to his transition team. They will be serving on one of nine Citizen Review Groups. The Groups consist of individuals who are volunteering their time from both the private sector and public service areas.

Robert Bernstein will lead one of nine Citizen Review Groups for Government Affairs and Management. Bernstein was appointed to the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners in 2005 by Governor Jeb Bush. Commissioner Bernstein has more than 20 years experience as a business and healthcare executive. Commissioner Bernstein has also served on the State Lottery Commission, the Governor’s study group on Boards and Commissions and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation. Commissioner Bernstein earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at Florida Atlantic University.

Within the Citizen Review Group for Government Affairs and Management, Jacob Jackson will work on the transition team with the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. Jackson was appointed to the Board in 2005 by Governor Jeb Bush. He is legal counsel for District 10 for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. He received his undergraduate degree in public relations and his law degree from the University of Florida.