Jackson Health System has named Gene Bassett as its new chief operating officer. Bassett joined the Jackson Health System in 2006 and previously served as chief administrative officer for Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH), with responsibility for the Medical/Surgical Hospital Center, Perioperative Services, Pathology and Radiology. Bassett has more than 40 years of hospital experience, with more than 30 years in hospital administration. He is also a retired Master Chief (Hospital Corpsman) from the Navy.

In addition to Bassett’s new position, Jackson Health System also announced that Eneida O. Roldan, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., has been appointed senior vice president, associate chief medical officer and chief administrative officer for Jackson Memorial Hospital. Roldan was former president and chief executive officer of Metropolitan Hospital of Miami (previously known as Pan American Hospital).



Corazon, Inc. (Corazon) welcomes world-renown Cardiologist Dr. William O’Neill to their Medical Expert Panel.

Dr. O’Neill is the Executive Dean for Clinical Affairs at The University of Miami School of Medicine. A leader in the field of interventional cardiology and in the research of new techniques to diagnose and treat obstructed heart arteries, Dr. O’Neill is internationally known for his contributions to the cardiovascular specialty. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in balloon angioplasty and related techniques, having made fundamental contributions to the development of these procedures and their applications. He is certified in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine and provides frequent interviews to local and national media about interventional cardiology. In addition, Dr. O’Neill has been selected one of the “Best Doctors in America” each year since 1993, and was recently named to the 2008 list.



Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is proud to announce that Phil Fusca, Oncology Social Worker with the Comprehensive Cancer Center, was selected as the 2007 Frist Humanitarian Award Employee Nominee of the Year. In addition, Bea Preston was selected as the 2007 Frist Humanitarian Award Volunteer Nominee of the Year.

Fusca has been a valuable member of the Comprehensive Cancer Center team for the past nine years. During his tenure he has expanded the Center’s programs to include community education forums on colorectal, breast, prostate, lung, and GYN cancer. He has also conducted multiple free community screening events.

Bea Preston began volunteering at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in 1994 after visiting a friend who was a patient. Since then she has contributed over 24,000 hours of service. She started volunteering 1 day a week in the Medical Staff Office and today works five days a week delivering mail to over 150 doctors throughout the hospital.



Broad and Cassel Fort Lauderdale Partner and national health law expert Lester J. Perling has been elected treasurer of The Florida Bar’s Health Law Section for a one-year term.

A board-certified health law attorney, Perling has been a member of the Health Law Section since 1994, and has served in numerous leadership positions, including executive counsel member and secretary. Recently, he was appointed chair of The Florida Bar’s Health Law Certification Committee.



Gary Reardon, the Director of Surgical Services and Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Columbia Hospital, received two of the highest honors awarded by the Palm Healthcare Foundation. From out of 160 nominees submitted, Gary was named 2008 Nurse of the Year as well as the foundation’s Leadership Award recipient.

Reardon began his nursing career 23 years ago. He earned a Masters of Science degree in Human Resources Development and Administration from Barry University and a Masters of Science degree in Nursing with a major in Nursing Education from Florida Atlantic University.