Catholic Health Services is always exploring ways to invigorate the organization in ways that reinforce the delivery of superior care to patients and residents, support staff commitment to excellence, and continued stewardship of the community and the planet’s resources. Their mantra, like their tagline is Quality care + Quality Service = a Higher Quality of Life!

Starting with the construction of the new facility in Hialeah Gardens, St. Catherine’s West Rehabilitation Hospital, Catholic Health Services is going green with energy management. Identifying technologies and equipment that will use less water and energy allows staff to improve their response time and productivity as well as making it easier to manage the facilities and systems. It’s no secret that healthcare facilities that build green lower their energy cost, reduce waste and provide a healthier environment for their patients and employees. The overall goals of the CHS plan are to reduce energy usage and greenhouse emissions, reduce water usage, and minimize utility costs.

St. Catherine’s West Rehabilitation Hospital
Photo provided by Arellano Construction

The 67,300 square foot St. Catherine’s West Rehab Hospital, will be the first healthcare facility in South Florida to implement such steps that will lean toward green.

“Working with consultants specializing in energy management and efficiency, together with our contracted electrical engineers on the project, we will put in place a Building Management System which improves staff productivity, saves energy and pre-empts problems by automatically alerting staff if a setting or system starts going out of range so that steps can be taken to avoid serious problems. For example, the green –friendly HVAC units are high efficiency and continuously track and monitor for any potential deficiency or failure in the system.” says George Miraglia, Catholic Health Services Director of Facilities Management.

CHS’ strategy includes retrofitting its existing facilities and campuses, totaling over 430,000 square feet. These numbers reflect medical campuses such as CHS South Campus housing St. Anne’s Nursing Center and Residence, Villa Maria Nursing Center which is over 150,000 sq ft and the CHS North Campus, where four different service lines occupy over 160,000 sq feet of space. Among the proposed initiatives for energy management are low-flow water technologies, such as installing low-flow toilets, urinals, showerheads and faucets; specialized recycling equipment; lighting technology and daylight harvesting and installation of occupancy sensors.

“In our older buildings we plan to replace existing chillers with more energy efficient ones which will allow us to optimize temperature set points. During times of low demand for chilled water, we can set the temperature higher so there is less energy used unnecessarily. We also plan to utilize variable speed drives on chillers which result in longer motor life as well as conserving energy. Heat pump chillers will also help reduce energy use. A combination unit can capture the waste heat from chilling water and use it to create hot water,” shares Miraglia. “Computerized utility systems will continuously monitor our usage and efficiency.” Re-commissioning of existing systems is also under consideration. It would require scrutiny of each system to ensure that it is working as originally designed. Adjustments would be made to optimize performance of each system as usage may have changed since the initial installation and systems may have expanded or been altered. These steps can extend the life of the equipment and systems while improving energy efficiency.

In addition to the environmental benefits enjoyed through the implementation of these initiatives, there exists abundant documentation confirming that green health care facilities are better able to prevent the spread of germs, provide healthier indoor air and let in more natural light. “The financial impact of this system wide project is significant,” comments Mary Jo Frick, VP Finance Catholic Health Services. “We anticipate a potential annual savings of over $250,000 when combining electric, gas and water consumption. These savings free up cash for self funding facility upgrades. There are also numerous grants and rebate opportunities that can help offset the costs of improvements under consideration.”

Critical to the successful execution of the overall program is information and education. CHS plans to provide employees with educational materials and in-services introducing them to the concept of sustainability, which will help employees identify opportunities for reducing their use of resources and minimizing waste.

The following illustrates the depth of the community impact through these planned initiatives over a 12 year period.

Passenger cars not driven for one year: 3,374
Gallons of Gasoline: 1,775,329
Barrels of oil: 36,250
Household electricity for one year (# of households): 2,001
Tons of waste recycled instead of land filled: 5,248



The South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association (SFHHA) re-elected Ken Hetlage Chairman of the Board during the organization’s annual meeting. Hetlage received his Masters in Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He has worked at Memorial Health System since 1988 and currently is Administrator of Memorial West. Hetlage is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a Board member of the United Way of Broward County.

In addition to his election, SFHHA announced other officers: Heather Rohan, CEO, Aventura Hospital, is Vice Chairman; Aurelio Fernandez, Administrator, Memorial Miramar is Past Chairman; Patricia Greenberg, President, National Healthcare Associates, is Treasurer; and Fred Stock, COO, Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged is Secretary.

Three new members were elected to the Board of Directors. They are Agustin Arellano, President of Arellano Construction; Steven Klein, COO. Jackson Health System; and Manuel Linares, CEO, North Shore Medical Center.



Chief of Cardiology
West Palm Beach VA Medical Center

Dr. Venkataraman Balu is a senior non-invasive cardiologist presently working as Chief of Cardiology at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center since September of 2000. Dr. Balu came from Buffalo, New York, where he served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine. He was actively involved with clinical research and the teaching of medical students, residents and cardiology fellows. Dr. Balu was also in private practice and was associated with the VAMC at Buffalo as the Chief of Echocardiography. He carries a service record of 23 years within the VA Health Care System. He has abstracts and publications to his credit. He has conducted many CME programs and has presented at national and international meetings. He loves to teach and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for his teachings by the Physician Assistants at the West Palm Beach Medical Center.

Dr. Balu heads a team of dedicated cardiologists who are committed in providing excellent cardiac care to our veterans. He writes poetry in his native language and has released two musical CDs. In addition, he is involved with charitable work in India.



Michel Gagner, M.D., is a world renowned surgeon in the field of Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Gagner has been consistently named as one of the top 100 minimally invasive surgeons in the country by New York Magazine. His innovations in laparoscopic surgical techniques in the early 1990’s are now considered mainstream surgical procedures throughout the world.

In 1992, advanced laparoscopic surgery was considered experimental surgery. Gagner successfully performed the first world laparoscopic adrenal tumor removal for Cushing Syndrome and pheochromocytoma in 1992. In 1992 and 1993 he performed the first world laparoscopic removal of pancreas tumors (distal and proximal). He then went on to perform the first world description of endoscopic neck surgery with parathyroid removals in 1995 and laparoscopic duodenal switch for severe obesity in 1999.

More recently, he was the co-surgeon for the first World transatlantic robotic gallbladder removal between New York City and Strasbourg, France in 2001. Gagner remains excited by the prospects of this evolving technology and hopes it will excite today’s medical students.

“Over the last decade the number of medical students pursuing surgery has declined. I believe it is one of the most rewarding and exciting fields of practice as you often see the immediate results of your intervention, where other specialties may not offer that.” Gagner believes that medical students have shied away from choosing surgery because of the lifestyle of night and weekend work associated with it. Gagner wants today students to know that most surgeons work in groups now. This allows for work schedule rotation and the ability to maintain a life-work balance.

Over the course of his 30 year career, Gagner has remained a committed academic. He has held the position of professor at a number of universities including the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and has co-authored four books on Minimally Invasive Surgery including, Controversies in Laparoscopic Surgery.

He is currently writing his fifth book with Dr. Eldo Frezza. They will present the 100-plus chapter book, International Principles of Laparoscopic Surgery, this fall in San Francisco at the American College of Surgeons conference.

Gagner hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He obtained his Diploma in Health Sciences at the Seminaire de Sherbrooke in 1978 and his medical degree from the Faculté de Medecine de l’Universite de Sherbrooke in 1982. He did his surgical training at McGill University in Montreal from 1982-1988. He has also completed fellowships in hepatic surgery at Hospital Villejuif in Paris and hepto-pancreatico-biliary surgery at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington Massachusetts from 1989-1990.

During his residency, he also pursued his Ph.D., submitting a thesis on “Human Lipolysis in Sepsis” at the Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University. He was motivated to pursue his Ph.D. because of his interest in understanding how fat cells behave during critical infections. His study led to the development of gastric bypass surgery techniques. His new procedure, development of the sleeve gastrectomy, differs from the “tummy pacemaker,” that regulates the sensation of hunger by electrodes.

Gagner began his current post as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center on February 4, 2008. Mount Sinai is one of only six statutory teaching hospitals in Florida with 21 residency and fellowship programs representing all major areas of medicine. In 2007, Mount Sinai was designated as one America’s Top Hospitals in Geriatrics by U.S. News & World Report.

Gagner has published over 150 journal articles and has been a visiting professor and surgical demonstrator in over 40 institutions in 25 countries. He has held prominent positions in more than 35 surgical societies, including honorary membership in the prestigious France Surgical Association, a society that has more than 100 year history. He has also been on the editorial boards of ten surgical journals.

While Gagner derives great satisfaction knowing his surgical innovations have had, and continue to have, a positive impact on millions of patients worldwide, this humble man remains proudest of his achievements as a father of three sons. “My greatest challenge has been to maintain balance between my personal life and my professional life. It often feels like I’m walking on a thread.” Gagner has much to be proud of as all of his children are multi-lingual and excel academically. His eldest son will follow in his steps this fall to pursue a future medical degree at his alma mater, McGill University. His middle child is awaiting acceptance to McGill University’s School of Business.



Al and Barbara Grant

Al and Barbara Grant, of West Boca Raton, have been generously volunteering one day a week at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for three years.

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, the Grants enjoy volunteering for different organizations and taking cruises. They volunteer in the dementia-specific Adult Day Center of the Memory and Wellness Center.

Al’s mother suffered from dementia, so he holds a special place in his heart for the people with whom he interacts at the Center. He helps serve lunch, cleans, shoots pool with participants, and has recently taken to reading short stories and poems to the group.

During a recent group session, Al read a short story about World War II, which hit close to home for many of the participants.

Barbara helps with yoga classes, registration, lunch service, and maintains a library at the Center. “We love to give because we get so much back,” said Barbara.

Heather Jurist

Volunteer Heather Jurist has been volunteering at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for two and a half years.

She dedicates four full days each week to the Center assisting the main office manager of the memory disorder diagnostic clinic. Duties range from scheduling rooms and appointments to editing documents and answering the Center’s busy phone line. Watching her multitask with multiple phone lines ringing and people standing at her desk you know you are watching a retired professional!

Originally from New Jersey, Heather moved to Florida as a child. She was a teacher for 14 years and worked at IBM’s Boca Raton facility for eight years.

“I have learned so much about the mind from working at the Memory and Wellness Center,” said Heather. “And, I really enjoy working with such a caring and outstanding staff.”

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Anna Lisa Curtis

Currently a student at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Anna Lisa Curtis is studying psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience and multimedia communications. She has been volunteering at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center for the past year and ties her volunteer work into her studies by facilitating group discussions at the Day Center and using multimedia presentations to stimulate conversation.

The Memory and Wellness Center, located on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

The Day Center is an active environment with frequent parties. For cognitive stimulation, Anna Lisa devised an activity that enabled the group to participate in the planning and organizing of a St. Patrick’s Day party. She prompted the participants with questions such as “What are the reasons that we would organize such a party?” and “What would you bring to a potluck?” Not only are participants are challenged to use cognitive skills, but they can reminisce and socialize at the same time.

Originally from Los Angeles, Anna Lisa has lived in Boca Raton for 13 years and plans to graduate from FAU in 2010.

“I love being able to identify with the people and I learn a great deal from them,” said Anna Lisa.