While hit particularly hard by COVID, the healthcare industry is resilient, and our healthcare workers are to be commended. Even during this challenging year, we continue to move forward. Holy Cross Health commemorates a remarkable 64 years of serving the community. Here’s a look at the year in review:
New Name
To better reflect an expanded footprint and holistic approach to community health, Holy Cross Hospital, Broward County’s only Catholic hospital, rebranded as Holy Cross Health. While the name 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.
New President and CEO
Leading the rebranding effort was Mark Doyle, the new president and CEO of Holy Cross. A member of the South Florida community for more than 15 years, Mark brings a thoughtful, innovative approach to challenging issues that has resulted in greater financial stability, improved employee engagement and increased access for marginalized communities.
Commitment to Community
This year Holy Cross Health rebranded and expanded its Community Assistance Program (CAP) to include financial counseling and the Medicaid eligibility department, which assists those applying for governmental assistance. In keeping with its mission, Holy Cross has always provided care for those in need and given special consideration to those who are most vulnerable, including those who are unable to pay and those whose limited means make it extremely difficult to meet the health care expenses incurred.
In recognition of National Hunger Awareness Month in September, Holy Cross Health awarded a $10,000 grant to Broward College Foundation for its innovative program to reduce food insecurity in Broward County.
This year, Holy Cross also established the inaugural Patrick A. Taylor, MD. Housing Security Grant to be awarded to a non-profit agency to provide direct housing services for homeless families and individuals.
In collaboration with Trinity Health, Holy Cross launched the Military and Veterans Health Program (MilVet), a new pilot program to provide military service members, veterans and their families convenient access to high-quality, people-centered health care service designed for their specific needs.
COVID
In response to the pandemic, Holy Cross Health also launched on-demand virtual visits, enabling patients to receive medical advice and care from the comfort of their own home. Within one hour of creating an account, a member of the Holy Cross medical team can connect patients via video chat with a physician or they can complete a questionnaire.
Holy Cross also recruited and treated patients in a clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LY-CoV555, an antibody therapy engineered from one of the first individuals to recover from COVID-19, in patients with early mild to moderate COVID-19 to help newly diagnosed patients clear the SARS-CoV-2 virus faster.
Additionally, Holy Cross participated in the U.S. government’s COVID-19 Expanded Access Program to collect and provide convalescent plasma in patients in need across the country to find out if high-risk patients or patients in life-threatening stages battling COVID-19 can improve faster if they receive plasma from those that have recovered from the virus.
Lung Cancer Trial
Holy Cross participated in a trial study for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for approximately 83% of all lung cancer. Patients with advanced NSCLC who experienced disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy (CIT) were eligible for the Phase 3 SAPPHIRE study to find effective treatment options that are needed to improve the long-term survival in this patient population.
Recognition and Awards
Holy Cross Health was recognized as a Best Hospital for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report. Holy Cross was recognized as High Performing in COPD, Heart Failure, Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement. Holy Cross was also recognized as part of Newsweek’s annual list of World’s Best Hospitals for 2020 and Best-In-State Hospital in Florida.
For the 10th consecutive year, the non-profit hospital was recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for the most up to date evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the communities served. Holy Cross achieved the Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Target: Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll recognition in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program.
“In a year like this one it is more important than ever to thank and recognize our physicians, colleagues and volunteers for their efforts every day in delivering quality, compassionate award-winning care to our community,” said Doyle.
