Holy Cross Hospital recently started renovations on the facility that will be transformed into the new Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women’s Center at Holy Cross Healthplex, slated to open this fall.

Joined by community leaders and more than 50 of their 75 “Girlfriends,” women in the community who each pledged $5,000 as lifelong members of the Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women’s Center, Holy Cross recently held a demolition event to celebrate the kick off of Phase I renovations to the building. Plans for the entire space include a dedicated entrance, a welcome area, education and community rooms, a cuisine center, a chapel, counseling rooms, a women’s boutique, gift shop, doctors’ offices, and a computer and library research center.



Boca Raton Mayor, Susan Whelchel, was in attendance at the 12th Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon recently held at the Boca West Country Club. This annual event is presented by The Boca Raton Women’s Club and honors local doctors for their service to the community. In front of hundreds of community leaders and healthcare professionals, Mayor Whelchel read a special proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 24, 2010, as “Dr. Dorothy M. Murray Day” The proclamation also noted that Dr. Murray is the first woman physician to be honored with the People’s Choice Award. Mayor Whelchel then presented Dr. Murray with the coveted 2010 Doctor of Distinction Award from the Women’s Club of Boca Raton.

Dr. Dorothy M. Murray is a pioneer in the medical field and has provided quality care to patients for more than 43 years. Her career includes serving 25 years at the Boca Raton Community Hospital where she was the Medical Staff President from 1984-1986 – the only female physician to have held this role. She was also on the Consulting Staff for several local hospitals. From July 1972 to June 1976 she was on the staff of the Catholic Medical Centers of Brooklyn & Queens Hospitals in New York. Although Dr. Murray retired from her medical practice in 1998, she continues to provide compassionate care to patients at Hospice by the Sea, Inc. in both Palm Beach and Broward Counties.



Stefan C. Weiss, M.D, medical director of the Weiss Skin Institute in Boca Raton joined the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Medical Board.

Dr. Weiss is a board-certified dermatologist trained in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as dermatopathology and Mohs Microscopic Surgery, with expertise in drug development. Besides serving as Weiss Skin Institute director, Dr. Weiss is a volunteer faculty member at the University of Miami School of Medicine, where he co-instructs the severe psoriasis clinic at Jackson Memorial Hospital.



South Miami Hospital has been awarded the prestigious Magnet designation in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This recognition, achieved by only 1.7 percent of U.S. hospitals, is the highest honor in the nursing profession and signifies exceptional patient care and standards.

“This is a long-awaited moment for all the nurses at South Miami Hospital and for all the employees who work together to deliver the highest-quality patient care,” said South Miami Hospital CEO Wayne Brackin.

(l to r) Patty Newman, R.N.; Nurse of the Year Patsy Rodriguez, R.N.; and Employee of the Year Pat Collins, R.N.

South Miami Hospital’s certification culminates a two-year process. It started when a team of nurses and non-clinical employees worked together to prepare a three-volume application detailing South Miami Hospital’s leadership in patient care. After submitting the application, surveyors from the credentialing center visited the hospital to verify details on the application.

The surveyors spoke at length with employees, physicians and Board members about the exceptional care provided by the hospital’s nurses and support employees.

“I haven’t been to Miami for about 15 years, but now I know where to go for healthcare if I ever need it and I’m in this area,” said Magnet surveyor Mary Nash, R.N., PhD., following the three-day visit.

“This experience validates the excellent patient care given at South Miami Hospital by the very best and brightest nurses, but we could not have completed this journey without the entire hospital family,” said Kathy Sparger, R.N., chief nursing officer. “We are truly blessed to work in this wonderful, caring, collegial atmosphere.”



Shutts & Bowen LLP, announced attorneys J. Everett Wilson and Michael Gennett have joined the firm as partners in the statewide Health Law practice group.

Wilson and Gennett and associate Elizabeth Perez came to Shutts & Bowen from the Health Law Group at Wilson Suarez Lopez & Gennett of Coral Gables.

J. Everett Wilson is a member of the Health Law Section of The Florida Bar and the American Health Lawyers Association, and he is admitted to practice by The Florida Bar and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law (cum laude) and the University of Florida (highest honors).

An associate with the Wilson firm since 1996 and a partner since June of 2003, Michael Gennett is Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar. Gennett is a graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law and Florida State University.

Elizabeth Perez formerly served as an Assistant Public Defender with the Public Defender’s Office for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Perez is a member of the Florida Bar and a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned both her undergraduate and law degrees.