In a private ceremony, representatives from the North Dade Medical Foundation recently presented St. Thomas University with a donation of $450,000 to name a lecture hall in the University’s new Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building, currently under construction.

The grant was proposed by North Dade Medical Foundation board member Cesar J. Sastre, M.D., as a way for the Foundation to further its goal of improving the lives of North Dade residents.

Pictured are: (l-r) Front row: Susan Jacobson; Dr. Gregory S. Chan, St. Thomas University Provost; Cesar Sastre, M.D., Vice Chairman, North Dade Medical Foundation, George Daviglus, M. D., Chairman, North Dade Medical Foundation; Beverly S. Bachrach, St Thomas University, Vice President for University Advancement and Marketing & Communications; Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale, President, St. Thomas University; Sandra Giblin, Chief Executive Officer, North Dade Medical Foundation. Back Row: Ira Jacobson, M.D. Trustee, North Dade Medical Foundation: Dr. Edward Ajhar, Interim Dean, St. Thomas University School of Science, Technology & Engineering Management; Terrence L. O’Connor, St. Thomas University Vice President for Administration & Chief Financial Officer; Prospero Herrera, Trustee, North Dade Medical Foundation; Chester Morris, M.D., Trustee, North Dade Medical Foundation; John Kathe, M. D, Secretary, North Dade Medical Foundation



Bethesda Memorial Hospital is proud to announce Valerie Coniglio, M.S., (ASCP) as the new Administrative Director of Laboratory Services.

Coniglio joins Bethesda’s team with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, most recently as the Administrative Director of Laboratory Services at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from St. Thomas Aquinas College and her Master’s Degree in Medical Technology with specialization in Administration from St. John’s University in New York.



Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches is proud to announce Senator Jeff Atwater has been selected as the Honoree at the Walter D. Kelly Award Luncheon.

Senator Jeff Atwater comes from a long line of Floridians and grew up with a strong connection to the state and a sense of service in his blood. The District 25 Senator is an active member of the community, serving on a variety of advisory boards, as well as being Chair of the Health Regulation Committee for the State Senate. Senator Atwater has been called one of Palm Beach County’s best-liked and most respected political leaders. His unassuming, down-to-earth persona coupled with a deliberate, wise way of handling complex issues helps neighbors relate to him, business executives to respect him, and his colleagues in the Senate to admire him.

The luncheon, which will take place on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, awards a community leader who is an advocate for mental health in the state of Florida.



A grant award from the Health Foundation of South Florida to the North Broward Hospital District soon will establish a transitional sickle cell day hospital & wellness center designed to improve the quality of life for young adults living with sickle cell disease.

The hospital and wellness center, created in a former pediatric area at Broward General Medical Center, will specialize in the care of sickle cell patients 18 to 28 years old. It will include eight patient beds, a nutrition center, and an entertainment area for patients while they receive not only medical treatment for sickle cell crisis, but also obtain wellness care in order to avoid a crisis.

Once a patient is enrolled in the program, care is monitored and overseen by a case manager from NBHD’s Community Health Services. By offering disease case management, wellness care and sickle cell day hospital treatment, the program will reduce emergency department visits, inpatient hospital stays and costs associated with treating the disease. To expedite care and decrease the severity of a crisis, patients enrolled in the program will be able to bypass the emergency department and go directly to the day hospital.



Neurologist Sonia Tolgyesi, M.D., has joined the staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center, announced Chief Executive Officer Paul Echelard.

Dr. Tolgyesi has been in practice for more than four years, two of which have been with the Sunrise Medical Group in Plantation. Previously, she served as a general neurologist at Neurology Consults of Central Jersey PA in New Jersey from 2004 to 2005.