The Florida State University College of Medicine (FSUCOM) Family Medical Residency Program at Lee Health welcomes eight new resident physicians, who started their training on June 22, 2020. The new residents include Dr. Francesca Blazekovic, Dr. Jenna De Francesco, Dr. Thomas Flynn, Dr. Shane Geffe, Dr. Joseph Guernsey, Dr. Gerard Mulles, Dr. Dakin White, and Dr. Luke Wren.
 
The FSU COM Global Health Fellowship Program also welcomes two new fellows:
– Dr. Bradley Green, Global Health Fellow – completed residency in Cleveland, OH
– Dr. Alice Shallcross, Global Health Fellow – completed residency in Milwaukee, WI
 
“We received more than 1,500 applications from U.S. medical students and physicians from all around the world,” says Alfred Gitu, M.D., Program Director of the residency program at Lee Health. “Our program continues to grow and expand with residents who are passionate, compassionate and academically strong. The new class of residents scored in the top 20% in the nation on the United States Medical Licensing Examination, and they are dedicated to caring for the underserved.”
 
 


Cleveland Clinic Florida has opened the Florida Research and Innovation Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Established in November 2019, the new center will advance innovative translational research, focused on immuno-oncology and infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

The Florida Research and Innovation Center will be closely integrated with Cleveland Clinic’s new Center for Global and Emerging Pathogens Research established in April 2020, which has brought together some of the world’s top research experts in virology, immunology, genomics, and population health to broaden understanding of emerging pathogens – ranging from the Zika virus to SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) – and to expedite critically needed treatments and vaccines. The researchers will also collaborate with drug developers at Lerner Research Institute’s Center for Therapeutics Discovery to more rapidly move discoveries out of the laboratory and into the clinic for patient care.
 
The 107,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research facility features modern laboratory space, biosafety level 3 facilities for work with infectious agents, and office space for support services on eight acres of land. Cleveland Clinic has recruited a team of renowned scientists to the Florida Research and Innovation Center to launch scientific programs that address both local and international health challenges, including cancer and emerging pathogens. The facility will additionally provide an exceptional training environment for researchers. Philanthropic funding of this research program will support the new center’s efforts to explore new treatments and technology.
 
The Florida Research and Innovation Center will complement and expand research underway at the Florida health system’s five hospitals and the Lerner Research Institute, which is home to 190 laboratories on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus in Cleveland, Ohio. The scientific teams will closely collaborate, tapping into resources at both facilities to develop new treatments for patients around the globe.
 
The Florida Research and Innovation Center is headed by Scientific Director Michaela Gack, Ph.D., who joined Cleveland Clinic Florida in July 2020. Previously, she was a professor in the Department of Microbiology and chair of the Committee on Microbiology at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Ill. Gack, a renowned virologist, has an extensive background in microbiology and infectious disease. Her research focuses on the immune system’s response to viruses, an essential step in developing safe and effective antivirals and vaccines. She has also done extensive research on immune evasion by Dengue, Influenza and Zika viruses.


Dr. Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, FACOI, FCCP, on staff at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, is the new President-Elect of the American Osteopathic Association for the 2020-2021 calendar year.

The organization represents the professional interests of the nation’s more than 145,000 DO’s and osteopathic medical students. In this role, Dr. Giaimo’s responsibilities will include overseeing policymaking processes, secure leadership appointments, and work to implement goals of the AOA’s strategic plan.
 
Dr. Giaimo is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine. He received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and then did his internship at Metropolitan Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Dr. Giaimo completed his residency in internal medicine, and his fellowship in pulmonary medicine, at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. 


To better reflect an expanded footprint and holistic approach to community health, Holy Cross Hospital, Broward County’s only Catholic hospital, announced it will rebrand as Holy Cross Health.

Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, has been serving the community since 1955 as a compassionate and transforming healing presence. The 557-bed, non-profit, teaching hospital in Fort Lauderdale operates in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy and is a member of Trinity Health.
 
"Holy Cross has grown well beyond the four walls of our hospital over the past 65 years. We have urgent care centers, a robust outpatient HealthPlex, Home Health Services, Clinical Research and more than 50 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices aligned across our community. In short, Holy Cross is so much more than just a hospital," said President and CEO Mark Doyle. "The all-encompassing word, ‘Health,’ better demonstrates our brand promise to be your trusted health partner for life."
 
While the name has changed, the mission, vision and core values remain the same. As a mission-driven innovative health organization, Holy Cross Health is a national leader in improving the health of local communities and each person it serves.
 
The Holy Cross Health name will be transitioned gradually, first on digital platforms and on signage across satellite locations and at the main campus in Fort Lauderdale.


Elizabeth Justen and Steven Harvey were recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Board of Commissioners of the South Broward Hospital District, which oversees all actions of the Memorial Healthcare System. Justen and Harvey are serving alongside Chairman Douglas A. Harrison, Vice Chair Dr. Luis E. Orta, and Commissioners Jose Basulto, Brad Friedman and Laura Raybin Miller. Justen is also serving as secretary/treasurer on the board. Both of these appointments are for a four-year term.

Justen is the assistant executive director of the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, a nonprofit organization which funds community programs and initiatives. She is also the key account manager at OFB Marketing and a principal at The Marketing Experience.
 
Harvey is the assistant dean of operations and administration at Nova Southeastern University, where he previously earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration.