Barry’s dean of the School of Graduate Medical Sciences was presented with the Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings Award from the National Academies of Practice (NAP) during a recent banquet in Alexandria, VA.

Dr. Chet Evans was chosen for his many contributions to multi-disciplinary health care and education, as well as for his service as a podiatric physician. Evans, a resident of Miramar, joined Barry in 1986.


Frank Spinosa, DPM (left) proudly nominated Chet Evans, DPM, (right) associate vice president and dean, Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences, for the NAP Cummings Award .

In 1996 Evans founded the Yucatan Crippled Children’s Project which has brought free surgical treatment to more than 4,000 crippled indigent children in Mexico. As the chair of the Barry University/Hadassah University Hospital Surgical Residency Program, he has overseen the training of 15 residents at hospitals in Jerusalem and Mt. Scopus treating Israeli combat wounds.

Evans serves as chairman of the American Public Health Association’s Podiatric Section and is the recipient of the Stephen Toth award for his contributions to podiatric public health. He is the founder and inaugural president of the American Academy of Wound Management, the national multi-disciplinary certifying board for health professionals involved in wound care.

At Barry University Evans has authored grants totaling more than $3 million from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, providing post graduate training for more than 125 podiatric primary care residents since 1989.

In his 18 years as dean he has expanded the number of medical programs to include doctor of podiatric medicine, master’s of clinical medical sciences, physician assistant certificate, master’s of anatomy, dual doctor of podiatric medicine and MBA degree, and the master’s of public health. In addition he has helped raised more than $3.3 million toward a new building for the school of graduate medical sciences.

Evans chairs the Education Committee of the International Federation of Podiatrists and is liaison for podiatric medicine to the Council on Graduate Medical Education, the advisory body to the U.S. Congress on the status of health care manpower in the United States.



Florida Health Professionals Legal Expense Insurance, Inc. (FHPLEI), a Jacksonville-based legal expense insurance company, recently received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to begin offering its medical malpractice legal defense insurance product to group practices.

“Doctors aren’t the only ones getting sued,” says Charles S. O’Lessker, President of FHPLEI. “Plaintiffs are looking for every available dollar and as a result, will name the staff and the corporation itself in a lawsuit. This is especially true in light of the recent passage of Amendments 3, 7 and 8.”

According to O’Lessker, the group product is tailored to the specific needs of the practice. “The group will determine how much coverage they feel is necessary for their specialty and previous claims history.” They will be able to have a “bucket” of money available for the legal fees and expenses associated with representation of their licensed and/or certified employees/staff in malpractice cases.

The OIR also approved FHPLEI’s interest-free premium financing option. “We want to make our products as affordable as possible,” says O’Lessker. “We certainly understand that doctors are being squeezed tighter everyday with increasing business expenses and decreasing insurance reimbursement.



The who’s who of heart disease kicked off a statewide Stop Heart Disease Campaign under sunny South Florida skies recently to tell Floridians that the nation’s number one killer can be prevented.

“Nationwide, it’s a September 11th tragedy happening every day,” said Dr. Paul Kurlansky, director of research for the Florida Heart Research Institute, which sponsored the event. “Each day, more than 2,600 Americans die from heart disease. More than 65,000 Floridians will die from heart disease this year, and most of those deaths can be prevented.”

Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Miami Beach cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet, became famous by preaching the gospel of prevention.

“Heart attacks are preventable today with exercise, diet, and certain medications,” he told a crowd gathered at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami, adding that advances in medical imaging technology have made screening and early intervention the best tools for keeping diseased hearts in check.

A 28-year-old Miami man, who has received two heart transplants, gave an emotional speech at the event.


(l to r) Marvin Dorn, received a free screening that saved his life; Dr. Paul Kurlansky, Director of Research of the Florida Heart Research Institute, Dr. Arthur Agatston, Cardiologist and author of the South Beach Diet proudly holding a Stop Heart Disease license plate; and Rey Rodriguez, recipient of two heart transplants.

“I am here today because of heart research,” said Rey Rodriguez, a student who received his first heart transplant just before his 19th birthday after fighting dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlargement of the heart that doesn’t allow it to pump enough blood, since age 11. After his body rejected the first heart transplant, he received his second on Christmas Eve in 2001.

“Hopefully, the third one is the charm,” he laughed later. “I feel much better now.”

More than 60 people were screened for heart disease at the event, receiving tests for total blood cholesterol, glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), body mass index, blood pressure tests, and one-on-one counseling. Of those screened, the event found that two-thirds are overweight, almost two-thirds have unacceptable HDL levels, one-third have high total cholesterol, and one-fifth are hypertensive.

No one knows the advantages of screenings more than Marvin Dorn, a 70-year-old life insurance agent from Miramar. Two years ago, a free screening at the Florida Heart Research Institute indicated that he previously had a heart attack.

“I was shocked,” Dorn told the audience. “I told the doctor there must have been a mistake. She assured me that it was my test.”

Dorn remembered having what he thought was indigestion a few months before, which Dr. Maria Canossa-Terris of Florida Heart Research Institute said was probably a heart attack. Within 30 minutes, Dorn was seen by a local cardiologist and was then rushed to the hospital for a cardiac catheterization to determine the extent of the damage. An angioplasty reopened the clogged artery and a stent was inserted to keep it open.

“Who knows what would have happened if I didn’t go for that first screening at Florida Heart Research Institute,” he said.

Screenings such as the one held in Miami will help Floridians “know their numbers,” which has become a battle cry in heart disease prevention.

“People are more likely to know the number on their car odometer rather than their blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, and glucose levels,” said Dr. Kurlansky. “If you know your numbers and take appropriate action, you will avoid heart health problems later on.”



One of the most popular events on the calendar – the 28th Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged at Douglas Gardens (MJHHA) – recently brought together an enthusiastic crowd to applaud the contributions of these special men and women. Feted at the luncheon were Yetta Brodie, Volunteer of the Year; Evelyn Kopelman, Volunteer Auxilian; Howard “Hesh” Chassen, New Volunteer Achiever; Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, Teen Volunteer of the Year; and the Holiday Outreach Program of the Aventura Marketing Council, Outstanding Service Award recipient. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers were honored at this special event for the 92,696 hours they devoted in the past year to enhance the lives of the 700 elderly people who reside on the Douglas Gardens campus.

(front row l-r) Yetta Brodie, Volunteer of the Year; Evelyn Kopelman, Volunteer Auxilian; Randy Stern, Co-Chairman of the Aventura Marketing Council’s Holiday Outreach Program, Outstanding Service Award recipient; and Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, Teen Volunteer of the Year; (back row l-r) Judge Irving Cypen, Chairman of the Board Emeritus and Honorary President; Stuart Geller, Chairman of the Aventura Marketing Council’s Holiday Outreach Program; Howard “Hesh” Chassen, New Volunteer Achiever; Lourdes Boue, Chief Financial Officer; Fred Stock, Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of the Nursing Home & Hospital; Dr. Daniel Brady, Executive Director of Community-Based Services; and Susan Willenborg, Director of Volunteers.

As he announced Yetta Brodie as this year’s “Volunteer of the Year,” Chairman of the Board Emeritus and Honorary President Irving Cypen described her as someone who “gives her time, talent and limitless enthusiasm to the Miami Jewish Home four or five days a week.” In addition to serving as President of the Home’s Greater Miami Women’s Auxiliary, Yetta is a Star Club FOUNDER, Board member, and member of the Gift of the Heart Society, Junior Auxiliary, Douglas Gardens Golf Classic Committee and “Circle of Service” volunteer recruitment club. She brings cheer to everyone who visits the Ungar Ice Cream Parlor, which is where she spends many hours every week making fabulous egg creams, milkshakes and conversation.

Evelyn Kopelman received the Volunteer Auxilian Award for her dual role as both volunteer and a Board member and officer of the Junior Auxiliary, one of the Home’s many support groups. A Founder of the Home, she was honored as the Junior Auxiliary’s 1994 Woman of the Year. Evelyn has dedicated the last thirty years of her life to enriching the lives of the elderly, working as a friendly visitor and staffing the Toppel information desk, among many other mitzvot.

Recognized for his contributions using his knowledge of Hebrew, Yiddish and English for his frequent visits and group activities with the Home’s residents and providing many Shabbat services, Men’s Club member Howard “Hesh” Chassen was named the 2005 New Volunteer Achiever. Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, an honor student at MAST Academy, received the Teen Volunteer of the Year Award for her 6oo hours of service utilizing her knowledge of Spanish, French and English to bring joy to the elderly. Stuart Geller, Star Club Founder, President of the Aventura Notables and Chairman of the Holiday Outreach Program of the Aventura Marketing Council, and Randy Stern, Co-Chair of the Holiday Outreach Program, accepted the 2005 Outstanding Service Award for the group’s holiday visits to the Home to provide entertainment to the residents.



State Sen. Nan Rich (left), presents Sandy Yankow, M.D. (right), with the Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Volunteer Doctor of the Year Award during the department’s recent Volunteer Recognition reception, hosted by Baptist Health South Florida. Dr. Yankow, chief of staff at Mariners Hospital, was recognized for his dedication to providing healthcare to the uninsured in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The gynecologist also urged state Rep. Ken Sorensen to sponsor recently passed House Bill 151, which allows Floridians whose income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level to receive medical care from the state’s free clinics.