Holy Cross Health has been selected as the 2019-2020 “Tobacco Free Initiative of the Year” by the Tobacco Free Partnership of Broward County.

To facilitate a safe and healthy environment, support local ordinances and laws and meet regulatory standards, Holy Cross Health has been smoke- and tobacco product-free since 2012. The use of any tobacco products which include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, vaping devices and liquid nicotine, are strictly prohibited at any Holy Cross Health property.
 
Through community and hospital-wide initiatives, Holy Cross Health continues to promote the prevention and reduction of health risks associated with use of all tobacco products as classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 


Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine hope to conquer a major limitation in the ability for scientists to engineer tissues for regenerative therapies for age-related and degenerative diseases. They recently received a $1.3 million grant from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a project that will identify novel mechanisms for how immature eye cells activate genes to become mature visual cells. The five-year (total grant $2.7 million), multiple principal investigator grant will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania.

“This grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute will enable us to identify the gene regulation pathways activated to program immature stem-like cells of the eye lens to attain their mature form and transparent function,” said Marc Kantorow, Ph.D., principal investigator, assistant dean for graduate studies and a professor of biomedical science in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine.
Kantorow and co-investigator Lisa Ann Brennen, Ph.D., research associate professor in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine, have discovered that specific changes in DNA conformation during tissue development regulate the activation of genes needed to make a functional eye lens through activation of novel DNA binding proteins called transcription factors.
 
“With this grant, we plan to explore the genetic and cellular mechanisms controlling developmental DNA conformational changes and will identify the transcription factors needed for eye lens formation,” said Brennan.
 
Since DNA conformational changes activates the function of genes required for the development of a wide-array of tissues and organs, the outcome of this research will provide a basis for the development of regenerative therapies for diseases from retinal degeneration through heart disease. Because disruption of eye lens gene activation causes cataract formation, the outcome of these studies has implications for preventing cataract, which is the leading cause of world blindness.
 
“The promise of regenerative medicine relies on the ability of scientists to engineer transplantable tissues that can replace diseased or damaged tissues,” said Janet Robishaw, Ph.D., senior associate dean for research and chair of the Department of Biomedical Science in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. “This significant NIH funding will enable Dr. Kantorow and his team to gain a deeper understanding into complex cellular remodeling events. The information they gain from these studies will be applicable toward the development of novel tissue engineering strategies to develop ocular and other cells for replacement of damaged and diseased tissues.”


JFK Medical Center is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of JFK Medical Center’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) recover faster and live healthier. The program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.


Delray Medical Center’s bariatric dietician for the Surgical Weight Loss Program, Samantha Barone, RD, is one of only 15 Certified Specialists in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) in the state of Florida.

A Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) is a health professional who possesses comprehensive knowledge and expertise in obesity and weight management. A CSOWM professional educates, supports, and empowers patients/clients to understand and manage their weight and risks associated with being overweight or obese through nutritional, physical, psychological, behavioral, medical and/or surgical interventions.
 
 


Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital hosted a drive-thru pumpkin patch on October 17, 2020. Over 7,000 people registered for the family-fun event that was held simultaneously at Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health Coral Springs. Families drove through the music-filled pumpkin patch and were given a free pumpkin and treat bags for kids.

“We knew families were not going to be able to go to a traditional fall festival during this pandemic and we wanted to recreate that experience here at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital with a drive-thru pumpkin patch,” said Heather Havericak, CEO, Broward Health Medical Center.
 
“Our hospital’s goal is to provide high-quality care for the children in our community,” said Jared Smith, CEO at Broward Health Coral Springs. “We also wanted to give back to our neighborhoods by providing this family-focused event.”