Florida Gov. Charlie Crist went on the road to help make sure the state’s parents and families are aware of new legislation designed to help protect the health and safety of children during challenging times. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was the site on June 2nd for a ceremonial signing of the bills relating to the Florida KidCare and Guardian ad Litem programs.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the children of Florida grow up safe and healthy, so they can have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential,” Crist said. “The legislation I sign today helps Florida’s families access affordable health insurance and also ensures that our children have a voice when their parents are involved in court proceedings.”

The Florida KidCare legislation (Senate Bill 918) increases enrollment eligibility and streamlines the administration and implementation of the program. The legislation relating to the Guardian ad Litem program (Senate Bill 1018) expands the court’s ability to provide advocates who focus on the best interests of children during divorce or related proceedings.

During the ceremony, Crist noted that, like the work done every day at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, these two bills are examples of the great things that can be accomplished when people work together to help others.



VITAS Innovative Hospice Care® announces the promotion of Jane Merritt of Jupiter, Florida, to Regional Director of Market Development for VITAS Innovative Hospice Care®.

Merritt joined VITAS’ Palm Beach County program in 2006 as a representative, then senior representative in long-term care facilities. She was promoted to director of market development in Palm Beach County in 2008. Prior to joining VITAS, she served as marketing manager for another hospice and held sales and marketing positions for long term care facilities and assisted living communities.



Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC) has announced that Governor Charlie Crist appointed Don Chester to the Florida Rehabilitation Council. Chester is an assistant administrator at the hospital.

At SMMC, Chester is responsible for Pastoral Care, Community Relations and Government Relations. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the board of directors for several organizations including the Quantum House, Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies and the Palm Beach County Community Health Alliance.



Every quarter, Broward Health North Broward Medical Center recognizes two outstanding doctors as Most Valuable Physicians (MVP). This quarter’s MVP recipients are Anurag Agarwal, M.D., and Reza Voosoughi, M.D.

Dr. Agarwal is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology for Broward Health and leads the CyberKnife® Team at North Broward Medical Center. His nominations named him a dedicated, motivational team player whose professionalism and passion make him a wonderful ambassador for North Broward Medical Center.

Dr. Voosoughi received his B.S. in Genetics from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada before earning an M.D. from the Medical University of the Americas in the West Indies. He completed a residency in preliminary surgery at Spartanburg Regional Health Care System and one in clinical anesthesiology at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. His nominations spoke of him as a compassionate, highly skilled anesthesiologist who treats all of his patients as if they were his own family.



Lani Kahn Drody has been named to the Board of Directors of Baptist Children’s Hospital Foundation. She will also serve as a member of the Baptist Health Foundation Board.

Drody is executive vice president of Lowell Homes, Inc. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Drody is active in the community, serving on the Beaux Arts Ball committee and as a Sustainer member of the Junior League of Miami. She is also past president of the Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services and the Builders Association of South Florida.