Commerce Bank has recently expanded to South Florida with convenient locations in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach and West Palm Beach and ultimately plans to build a network of 150+ convenient retail locations throughout southeast Florida.

Commerce Bank combines its community bank roots with the financial strength of a major regional bank to meet the diverse needs of commercial customers. Commerce Bank’s lending professionals are local bankers making local loans, and they establish customer relationships focusing on service and the delivery of individualized financing solutions. Commerce is a leading healthcare lender and has a growing team of industry professionals dedicated to serving healthcare clients. Commerce healthcare bankers understand the issues critical to healthcare clients and fully understand the evolving needs and demands of operating a healthcare enterprise in today’s changing environment.



Plantation General Hospital (PGH) has recently appointed Barbara J. Simmons, R.N. as the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Celebrating 31 years of her employment at PGH on May 5, 2006, Simmons started her career in 1975 as a staff RN / Clinician in the Medical/Surgical Orthopedics Department. She then worked in the Adult Intensive and Critical Care Units (ICU/CCU) as Head Nurse, and then succeeded to the Critical Care Supervisor covering various areas such as the ICU, CCU, and High Risk Maternity. Simmons became the Director of Nursing Operations in 1993 and held the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 1995. For the past 10 years she has been the COO overseeing all operations, day-to-day management of the facility including new services and construction.

Throughout her career she has received many honors including the SFONE Nursing Excellence Award in 2000 and most recently awarded one of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies “Outstanding Mothers of 2006.” Simmons is currently an Executive Board Member of the Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce and was the Chairperson of the City of Plantation’s Planning and Zoning Board in 2005.



Jorge L. de Cespedes, president and chief operating officer of Pharmed Group Corporation; John M. Barth, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Controls; and Robin C. Brooks, chairman and chief executive officer of Brooks Food Group were recently honored for significant long-term achievements in minority business development at the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Leadership Awards Dinner-Dance.

Steven Reinemund, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo (right) presented the award to Jorge de Cespedes, president and chief operating officer of The Pharmed Group, Miami, Florida.
Photo credit: Allen Morgan

Jorge L. de Cespedes is president and chief operating officer of Miami-based Pharmed Group Corporation. A 29-year veteran of the health care industry, de Cespedes held various positions with SmithKline Laboratories, from field sales representative to hospital manager, where he honed his skills in the industry prior to forming the Pharmed Group. He is on the board of advisors and directors for Barry University, Gibraltar Savings and Loan, Guarded Networks, Miami Dade College and St. Thomas University. de Cespedes recently was inducted into Miami Dade College’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

John M. Barth is chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Controls, Inc. in Wisconsin. Robin C. Brooks is chairman and chief executive officer of Brooks Food Group, Inc.



John W. Chidsey, chief executive officer of Burger King, has been named to the Doctors Hospital Board of Directors.

Chidsey also serves on Burger King’s Board of Directors. He previously served as president and chief financial officer for Burger King. Before his post with Burger King, Chidsey served as chairman and CEO for two corporate divisions at Cendant, a travel and real estate company.

Chidsey received his law degree and master’s degree in finance and accounting from Emory University in Atlanta. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. He also serves on Davidson’s Board of Trustees. He is a certified public accountant.



Baptist Health South Florida has received a grant from Health Foundation of South Florida in the amount of $280,950 towards developing a training program in “Improving End-of-Life Care for Intercultural Diverse Populations.” The goal of the program is to enhance the knowledge, skills and comfort level of Baptist Health healthcare providers in providing end-of-life care for the diverse populations in South Florida.

The two-year project will involve participation of physicians, nurses, nursing care techs, respiratory therapists, social workers and chaplains in focus groups for the first year, and participation in training the second year. Based on the information received from the focus groups, which will include healthcare providers and family members who have lost loved ones, a training curriculum will be developed.