Broward General Medical Center is pleased to announce the election of Wilfred McKenzie M.D., to Chief of Staff.

Dr. McKenzie is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He has been practicing in Ft. Lauderdale for the past 14 years. Dr. McKenzie is actively involved with teaching medical students and family medicine residents at Broward General Medical Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine affiliated with Nova Southeastern University School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Previous to his election, Dr. McKenzie served on the medical council of Broward General Medical Center as Secretary/Treasurer and most recently, Vice Chief of Staff. Prior to his work at Broward General Medical Center, he was avidly involved with public healthcare in the City of Miami.

Dr. McKenzie received his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his internship at Booth Memorial Medical Center in Flushing, New York and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Mercy Catholic Medical Center of Philadelphia, PA.



Several leading physician organizations have joined in a first-ever partnership to help physicians improve the care they deliver to patients, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMSR) Research and Education Foundation recently announced. The partnership, which includes the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Pediatrics, is launching Improving Performance in Practice (IPIP), a pilot program giving doctors the tools, systems and support they need to provide consistently high quality care and improve patient health. The IPIP program is funded by two grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

IPIP will focus on closing the gap between the care patients receive and recommended care. The RAND Corporation has reported that patients receive only 55 percent of recommended care, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or income.

Physicians participating in IPIP will use performance measures to determine whether patients with conditions such as diabetes and asthma are actually getting the recommended care they need. Initially, 100 physicians in Colorado and North Carolina will pilot IPIP, and lessons learned will be shared across practices to increase knowledge and more rapidly spread effective changes.



Mary Jane Damavandi, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.H.S.A., has been named Chief Nursing Officer for Florida Medical Center.

Damavandi has considerable experience in critical care, cardiac and emergency medicine. During her past twenty years of hands-on nursing and escalating management experience at Florida Medical Center, she has proven herself to be a skilled leader in the areas of clinical operations, budgeting, project management, inventory/equipment control and personnel.

Damavandi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Florida State University in 1984, then started her career as a staff nurse in the medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center. In 1986, she moved to South Florida and began work at Florida Medical Center as a staff nurse and then charge nurse of the hospital’s cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU). Ten years later, in 1996, she became the Specialty Coordinator of the Emergency Department, and, in 1999, was promoted to the position of Director of Emergency and Cardiac Services, a position she has held until her recent elevation to Chief Nursing Officer. Damavandi also holds a Master’s of Science degree in Health Service Administration, which she received from Barry University in May 2005.



Does Mom have trouble with dressing, bathing or medication? Are you worried about Dad’s forgetfulness? To address these issues and much more, the Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged at Douglas Gardens (MJHHA) is pleased to announce a significant addition to their array of programs for seniors – a toll-free information and referral service. Those seeking answers to questions about healthcare issues can now make a free call to 1-877-DGARDNS (1-877-342-7367) Monday through Friday from 9am – 5 p.m. Whatever the need – from care provided in one’s own home and apartments for seniors to treatment options for those with Alzheimer’s disease, end-of-life care, and adult day care – the Call Center is your one-stop shop available to answer questions, give referrals and help find solutions to you or your loved one’s healthcare concerns.

As Fred Stock, Chief Operating Officer, stated, “There is a lot of confusion and concern out there when it comes to dealing with the complex issues involved with aging. In partnership with other information referral programs, we are offering this geriatric healthcare line as a public service to the South Florida community.” The Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged has evolved since its founding in 1945 to become South Florida’s leader in comprehensive geriatric care.



The George Washington Cancer Institute, an oncology center located in Washington, D.C., recently sponsored a fundraising gala at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Proceeds of the fundraiser will be used to bring high quality cancer resources and programs together for the benefit of everyone working in cancer prevention, patient care, research, policy work and education. It was also a time to recognize organizations and individuals that have advanced the fight against cancer.

(l-r) Kevin DiLallo, Wellington Regional’s CEO, Jim Doyle, Helen Doyle, Steven Patierno, Ph.D., Exec. Director of GW Cancer Institute, Urologist Ross Cohen, M.D.

More than 400 individuals were present at the gala, including a Wellington Regional Medical Center contingent who made the trip in order to present a $50,000 check to the GW Cancer Institute. The monies were raised by three annual prostate cancer golf tournaments thanks to the efforts of Wellington residents, Helen and Jim Doyle, both volunteers of Wellington Regional Medical Center.

Jim Doyle, a prostate cancer survivor, was accompanied on the trip by his urologist, Dr. Ross Cohen. Dr. Cohen received his medical degree and completed his residency at the George Washington School of Medicine and GW University Hospital. The Doyles established a Foundation in Dr. Cohen’s honor to thank him for the personal impact he made on Jim’s health and wellbeing during his prostate cancer recovery.

Wellington Regional Medical Center was a major sponsor of the event and hospital CEO, Kevin DiLallo, was also present at the gala.

“Bringing cancer awareness and early detection to the forefront to save men from this dreaded disease is what our work is all about,” said Helen Doyle. “Jim and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Dr. Cohen in this way.”