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.



Miami Dade College’s North Campus student leader Carlos M. Acevedo has been elected 2006-2007 Phi Theta Kappa Students International Vice President-Division II of Phi Theta Kappa International. Acevedo won the post last month at the 88th International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa in Seattle, Washington.

“This is of great significance to the college and the North Campus on multiple fronts,” said Dr. José Vicente, North Campus President. “Firstly, he [Acevedo] becomes the first Hispanic from Florida to be elected for this post and, secondly, the last time that MDC had someone elected was 18 years ago, also from the North Campus.”

Acevedo, originally from Colombia, received support from other members of the North Campus Mu Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa to prepare for his campaign. During the convention, he delivered a winning speech before 4,000 members of Phi Theta Kappa and dignitaries in Seattle.

Acevedo will be featured in USA Today along with Tallahassee Community College student Tycia Foster, the first African American student to be elected as 2006-2007 Phi Theta Kappa Students International President-Division II.



Jim Sugarman, MA, has been appointed as the Chief Development Officer for FoundCare and Comprehensive AIDS Program of Palm Beach County, Inc. (CAP). Sugarman, completed his BA from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and acquired his Masters in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.

Sugarman served as the Executive Director and CEO of the American Lung Association of Florida – Southeast Area from 1995 until 2006 and was responsible for the coordination and administrative oversight of fund and program development for the organization. Prior to that, from 1989 through 1995 he was the Director of Program Resources for Comprehensive AIDS Program of Palm Beach County, Inc. He has served as past president of Leadership Palm Beach County, is involved with numerous community service projects and has developed volunteer programs both in the U.S. and abroad.



Westside Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has recently acquired a new, state-of-the-art CT imaging system from GE Healthcare. The LightSpeed VCT is the world’s first Volume Computed Tomography (VCT) system.

Physicians are now able to capture images of a beating heart in five heartbeats, an organ in one second and perform whole body trauma in ten seconds, more than twice as fast as conventional multi-slice CT scanners. This speed is especially helpful in shortening breath hold procedures for geriatric patients and patients who are on ventilators.

“Our new Volume CT system allows our physicians to perform new and enhanced procedures and obtain the information they need to diagnose patients who are suffering from chest pains or stroke,” said Earl Denning, CEO of WRMC. “Volume CT is patient friendly. Fast scans can help reduce patient stress and anxiety, and some of the volume CT procedures can be done in only one simple exam.”

The LightSpeed VCT offers the speed and resolution required for rapid imaging of blood vessels in the brain. This enables physicians to make a quick diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment while reducing the number of exams a patient may need to undergo.



The South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners that oversees all actions of Memorial Healthcare System elected its officers at the July 26th board meeting. Shane Strum was re-elected Chairman; Kevin P. Tynan was re-elected Vice-Chairman, and Kathleen A. Durham was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer. The Board members serving alongside the officers are Albert C. Jones, Laura R. Miller, Carlos J. Reyes, and Sara E. Wolfer.

Shane Strum is director of marketing at Blue Frog Solutions. Prior to that, he worked at Nova Southeastern University, holding positions such as Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, Marketing Manager, and Corporate Liaison.

Kevin P. Tynan is a partner in the law firm of Richardson & Tynan, P.L.C. and concentrates his practice to the field of legal ethics and professional responsibility. He has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1987 and is admitted to practice before all of the Florida courts and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Kathleen A. Durham has extensive experience in banking operations, business development and management, having worked for more than 30 years in the banking industry. Durham is past president of the Davie/Cooper City Chamber of Commerce and is past president and lifetime director of the North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. Durham is vice president and branch manager at SunTrust South Florida in Davie.