VITAS® Healthcare is the first approved hospice provider to connect to FirstNet- the nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety. The company’s access to FirstNet enables VITAS employees to use the highly secure and reliable communications tool for patient care and assistance in any circumstance while in the field.

FirstNet is designed to improve communications across public safety entities nationwide, allowing first responders to communicate with one another easily and quickly during everyday situations, big events or emergencies. This capability is integral to solving communications roadblocks that previously have been imposed on public safety agencies and first responders.
 
VITAS was selected to join FirstNet and utilize services because of the support the company provides to hospitals for both patient care and emergency preparedness. VITAS serves as an extended primary user– an organization or agency that could be called on during an emergency response to help support public safety. Eligibility for extended primary user status is rigorously reviewed before service is approved to help ensure that FirstNet’s unique capabilities remain dedicated to first responders and those who support them.
 
“We are honored to join FirstNet and be given the opportunity to serve our patients quickly, efficiently and securely,” said Nick Westfall, President and CEO of VITAS. “We applaud AT&T for the development of this innovative program and dedication to public safety.”
 


Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale has been recognized as part of Newsweek’s annual list of World’s Best Hospitals for 2020 and Best-In-State Hospital in Florida.

“This recognition as one of the world’s best hospitals is a testament to the care and compassion our patients experience here at Holy Cross Hospital,” said Doug Strong, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Holy Cross. “We are proud of our Associates who continuously deliver people-centered care and operational excellence every day.”


Bob Costas was recently named the 2020 recipient of the “Joe DiMaggio American Icon Award” at a fundraiser for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Costas, one of the world’s most accomplished broadcasters, was recognized for representing the values that Joe DiMaggio stood for and contributions that have influenced American society. He follows former U.S. President Bill Clinton, basketball legends Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Pat Riley, music’s Gloria and Emilio Estefan, baseball’s Derek Jeter, and best-selling author James Patterson as previous American Icon award winners. 


Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center recently was voted as the best heart center in Palm Beach County from the Palm Beach Post 2020 Best of Palm Beach County Awards Contest. The Best of Palm Beach County awards celebrate and recognize the best our community has to offer, and residents of Palm Beach County vote on the awards. Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center was the first hospital in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast to perform open-heart surgery, nearly 19,000 over the past 37 years, and has remained a leader in providing heart care ever since. 



St. Mary’s Medical Center is now performing awake aneurysm craniotomies. A weak area in the blood vessels can develop into a balloon called an Aneurysm, carrying an inherent risk of bursting. This is treated either by coiling, or a surgical technique known as "clipping". During this procedure, the skull is opened, and the aneurysm on the artery is clipped, preventing it from bursting and causing a brain hemorrhage

“These surgeries are traditionally performed under general anesthesia, but the clipping of aneurysms while patients are awake, is a novel way of treating this condition,” said Dr. Raghuram Sampath, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon on staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center. “Having the patient awake is the most reliable way to ensure we don’t cause damage to the brain, while safely securing the aneurysm.”
During the surgery, the patient does not feel pain, as all the sensitive nerves on scalp are anesthetized. During the surgery, the surgeon speaks to the patient, and asks them to perform simple tasks, making sure their motor and speech function remains intact.