Memorial Healthcare System’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program presented its newest group of residents at a white coat ceremony in Pembroke Pines.

The offering of the lab coat signifies entry to the next phase of medical training and recipients also recited the Hippocratic oath, a traditional statement of a doctor’s obligations and conduct.

47 physicians joined the program and will train in seven different specialties (internal medicine, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, podiatry, general surgery, neurology, and psychiatry).

•    Three specialties (general surgery, psychiatry, and neurology) specifically address areas where the State of Florida has identified a shortage of physicians
•    Memorial’s first class of surgical residents is comprised entirely of women, a rarity in a specialty traditionally populated by men

"There were more than 5,000 applicants for the 47 spots in this year’s class, so the quality of our residents is outstanding,” said Saima Chaudhry, MD, vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Memorial Healthcare System. “There is great demand for our training and history shows many of our doctors will remain in South Florida after their residencies, meaning there will be additional specialists to care for a growing and aging population.”

Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, the highest-ranking Latina in the state’s political history, was one of the speakers at the ceremony, which was held on the campus of Memorial Hospital West. Chaudhry, Dr. Stanley Marks, Memorial Healthcare System’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, and Dr. David Battinelli also addressed the new physicians.

Since its transition to an academic medical center in 2016, Memorial’s programs have grown to train more than 80 residents, a number that is expected to increase to nearly 300 within three years. An anesthesia program is planned for next year, with OB/GYN likely to follow, pending certification by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

The South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners, which oversees all actions of Memorial Healthcare System, elected its officers at the recent July board meeting.

Vic Narang was elected Chairman, Laura Raybin Miller was elected Vice-Chair, and Karen L. Harrington was elected Secretary/Treasurer. The board members serving alongside the officers are Jose Basulto, Hobel Florido and Douglas A. Harrison.

Vic Narang is the founder of GDKN Corporation, a global technology services firm that currently provides services to many Fortune 500 companies in 40 states in the U.S. and five provinces in Canada. He has been involved in the community providing leadership and performing work at the grass-root level to accomplish many community projects. He has been involved in raising awareness in the community regarding social-causes and fund-raising for impoverished children through various innovative programs. Narang has been in the Information Management industry since 1986 and has been working at GDKN Corporation in the capacity of CEO/President since 1993. As a technology expert, he has managed several multi-million dollar business solutions. Narang has architected several technical business solutions for utility, financial, manufacturing and other industries at Fortune-100 companies. He has managed and led several large initiatives to successful completion. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

Laura Raybin Miller has been involved in public and community affairs in South Florida for the past 20 years, making a positive impact in the lives of many residents through her leadership and participation in civic, and healthcare organizations. Throughout her career, she also has garnered a series of political appointments that has allowed her to make significant changes and improvements in governance, implementing best practices in the boards she has served. In August 2000, she was appointed to serve as Commissioner of the South Broward Hospital District (Memorial Healthcare System) by Governor Jeb Bush – a position she has held for the last five consecutive, 4-year terms, with reappointment under three governors. She has been the longest-standing member of this board. During her tenure, she is credited for lessening the tax burden of the communities Memorial Healthcare System serves under its Safety Net status, as well as, maintaining Memorial’s positive trajectory of safety and quality outcomes, where Memorial is recognized as a national leader. Miller has completed the NACD Fellowship – The Gold Standard Director Credential® -- demonstrating a commitment to the highest standard of boardroom excellence. Specific to the healthcare front, her fervor for raising awareness of breast cancer has driven her to speak publicly about the disease, educating and empowering women to take charge of their health. To this endeavor, she has been committed to raising public awareness about the Memorial Breast Cancer Center, the only regional breast cancer center providing comprehensive Breast Cancer care exclusively to women. Statement about her fellowship

Karen Harrington is a former candidate for the U.S. Congress. She is also the president of Rickey’s Restaurant, a position she has held for more than 37 years. In that role, she manages all business operations. Ms. Harrington is also active in the community, currently sharing her time and experience with Welcome Home Warriors, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, and the Epilepsy Foundation, in addition to her work on the South Broward Hospital District’s Board of Commissioners. A cancer survivor, her goal is to help improve the Memorial Healthcare System for the benefit of Broward County residents.

In a U.S. News & World Report ranking of specialties at children’s hospitals throughout the U.S., orthopaedics at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was ranked 33rd in the nation, based on patient outcomes, clinical resources, and utilization of best practices.

The Hollywood-based hospital was the highest rated in Florida and moved up two spots from the 2018 orthopaedic rankings.

U.S. News introduced the ‘Best Children’s Hospitals’ rankings in 2007 to help families of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses find the best medical care available.

The ratings, according to the publication, are a comprehensive source of quality-related information on U.S. pediatric hospitals. In addition to orthopaedics, data and survey information was collected for nine other specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital increased their scores in nearly all these areas.

“We continue to be regarded as a top healthcare provider because we deliver care based on state-of-the art best practices, guided by what is right for children,” said Dr. Michael Jofe, the chief of orthopaedics at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “We are proud of the efforts of our clinical teams.”

The rankings were posted online and will be published in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2020” guidebook, available in stores in September.

“The Best Children's Hospitals rankings were designed to help provide families seeking the best medical care for their sick child with access to the most comprehensive data available,” said Ben
Harder, Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis at U.S. News. “The rankings, coupled with guidance from pediatricians, help families make better-informed decisions about where to find high-quality, compassionate care for their children when they need it most.”

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital -- the largest pediatric facility serving Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade counties - has 226 licensed beds, seven operating rooms, and an entire floor dedicated to pediatric oncology, all in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children.  The orthopaedic surgery program also includes a comprehensive sports medicine program and rehabilitation services.

South Broward county’s only level one pediatric trauma center, the Memorial Healthcare System facility combines advanced technology, the expertise of some of South Florida’s most diverse, board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered focus to heal the body, mind, and spirit of those it touches.