September 14, 2021– JFK Medical Center’s extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program has earned the Silver Level ELSO Award from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Achieving the Silver Level Award means that our program has been recognized as on the Path to Excellence in extracorporeal life support.
ELSO is an international nonprofit consortium of health care centers and individuals dedicated to the development, evaluation and improvement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and other innovative therapies for support of failing organ systems in infants, children and adult.
JFK Medical Center provides ECMO for support of failing organ systems in adults. ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO is a temporary mechanical support system which pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body allowing the heart and lungs time to rest.
“We are honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious award regarding the critical care services and life support equipment and training provided to our patients,” said Waqas Ghumman, Medical Director of The Advanced Heart Care Center at JFK Medical Center. “Our accomplishments reflect our dedication to advancing health care that we continuously strive to achieve.”
JFK Medical Center was the first hospital in Palm Beach County to provide this life saving treatment to critically ill patients. Our ECMO Team is comprised of Surgeons, Intensivists, Respiratory Therapists, Registered Nurses and Perfusionists.
About JFK Medical Center
Founded over 50 years ago, JFK Medical Center has evolved into a multi-campus medical center, with four locations throughout Palm Beach County. Our main campus in Atlantis is a 527-bed facility known for its comprehensive services, including Cardiovascular Care, General and Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Stroke Care, Robotics, Cancer Care and Emergency Care. JFK Medical Center North Campus is a 280-bed acute care hospital, with an adjoining 124-bed psychiatric unit and a medical professional office building. JFK also has two off-site Emergency Rooms in Palm Beach Gardens and Boynton Beach.
JFK Medical Center is a facility of HCA East Florida. HCA East Florida is the largest healthcare system in Eastern Florida and an affiliate of HCA Healthcare (HCA). HCA East Florida has 14 hospitals, multiple ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care centers, physician practices, and free standing emergency care facilities, as well as a supply chain center and an integrated regional lab. Together, HCA East Florida employs more than 18,000 employees and has more than 6,600 physicians on staff. For more information, visit HCAEastFlorida.com.
HCA EAST FLORIDA
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center + Highlands Regional Medical Center + JFK Medical Center +
JFK Medical Center North Campus + Kendall Regional Medical Center + Lawnwood Regional Medical Center + Mercy Hospital + Northwest Medical Center + Palms West Hospital + Plantation General Hospital + Raulerson Hospital + St. Lucie Medical Center + University Hospital & Medical Center + Westside Regional Medical Center
