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Wellington Regional Medical Center Innovate Miami Showcases VITAS

Level III Nicu Named Healthcare as One of Miami’s

After Former Ceo Kevin Dilallo Vibrant, Entrepreneurial Companies

In 2009, Kevin DiLallo, who was
the CEO of Wellington Regional
Medical Center (WRMC) at the time,
remembers standing in the big open,
empty space that was the hospital’s
new level III Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit (NICU) and thinking “how are
we ever going to get enough patients
to fill this space?”. But today, the
same NICU, which has cared for
thousands of newborn babies and is
still the only level III NICU in the
Western Communities, is being
named in his honor.
“We have been looking for a way to Kevin DiLallo
recognize Kevin’s impact on the hospital
because he was involved with so many great things at Wellington Regional when he VITAS® Healthcare is among 146 South Florida influencers, companies and organiza-
was CEO,” said Pam Tahan, CEO, Wellington Regional Medical Center. “But the tions featured in the inaugural publication of “Innovate® Miami,” a full-color, interactive
development of the level III NICU was vital to future of the hospital and it seems fit- coffee-table book that represents “the best of Miami’s innovative and entrepreneurial
ting to name the unit after him.” ecosystem.
“I look back on the development of the NICU and its eventual expansion with great A profile of VITAS - including its legacy as an innovator of the hospice movement and
pride,” said DiLallo. “The physicians, hospital staff, nursing and community all got its embrace of industry-changing healthcare technology - is splashed across a double-
together to help create the NICU because they all knew it was important for the com- page spread (136-137) in the online version of Innovate® Miami. The book’s companion
munity. It involved a lot of great teamwork to make it happen.” app hosts augmented reality videos that can be viewed by aiming them at AR-designated
In 2000, a four-bed level II NICU was opened within the labor and delivery unit pages in the book.
which was located on the first floor in the current hospital’s interventional services “Our excitement at being invited to participate in this new venture is exceeded only by
unit. But over time, the first NICU outgrew the space and had to be relocated to the the value of appearing alongside so many other cutting-edge influencers, innovators,
front tower which included the relocation of OB services. At first the new unit was companies and organizations throughout South Florida,” says Drew Landmeier, chief
10 NICU beds, then in 2009 the Agency for Healthcare Administration approved marketing officer for VITAS. “Our inclusion in Innovate® Miami’s launch publication
WRMC to expand the services to include an additional 15 Level III beds and the unit simply deepens our commitment to the South Florida community, our employees and
was again relocated to the current location. The rise from no NICU in 2000 to a our healthcare partners.”
thriving level III unit by 2009 was rapid but also showed the overwhelming need to The publication showcases influencers ranging from “titans of industry to on-the-rise
provide care to the sickest of patients in community. startups,” including thought leaders, entire communities, nonprofit groups and innova-
“Kevin has been a tremendous leader for more than two decades with Universal tors across travel and hospitality, education, financial technology, sports and wellness,
Health Services,” said Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive green technology and sustainability, startups, professional and technology consulting,
Officer, Universal Health Services. “His contributions, not only to the NICU, but the networking and media and more.
expansion of the ER, the construction of new buildings and service line growth Five other Miami-based companies join VITAS in a section dedicated to healthcare
helped Wellington Regional start the path it remains on today. innovation.
Today, the NICU is a 15,000 square-foot and provides highly advanced technology Sven Boermeester, Founder/CEO of International Group Publisher and one of
in a comfortable environment and is capable of caring for some of the highest risk Innovate® Miami’s founders, says the publication is “for the open-minded folk who want
pregnancies, as well as the sickest and tiniest of babies. The NICU currently treats to know more about the exciting changes that have recently transpired in the Miami
about 300 patients per year. ecosystem, and who play or want to play an active role in its growth and development.”
DiLallo joined Universal Health Services in February of 1998 and is currently Global Village Ventures LLC, the book’s publisher, creates similar innovation-themed
responsible for overseeing the operations for the Manatee Healthcare System, which publications in other cities and countries around the world. The Miami version will be
includes Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. available on Amazon.com and through GlobalVillage.world in early 2020.

Cover Story: Broward Health Coral Springs: Growth Brings Greater Access to Care

Continued from page 1 Children’s Hospital, our pediatric service All ICUs now house intensivists, in America, heart disease,” said Smith.
Mammography now features smart curve is known for its specialized pediatric physicians who specialize in care of crit- “Our heart specialists have pioneered
technology for breast exams. Women are emergency department and pediatric ically ill patients, 24/7. Physicians and many diagnostic, medical and surgical
often fearful of perceived pain from the inpatient and intensive care units – all nurses and other clinicians conduct mul- lifesaving treatments for our patients.
pressure applied during a mammogra- complete with a child life specialist and tidisciplinary rounds that can lead to a Now available locally, this advanced
phy. The smart curve technique – the pet therapy program,” Smith said. “This high level of bedside care, improved out- heart care will bring greater access to
first offered in Broward County – lessens enhancement of family-friendly chil- comes, and reduced length of stay and care closer to home.
the pressure on the breast without com- dren’s services underscores our commit- mortality. “Broward Health Coral Springs’ new
promising the diagnostic quality. Other ment to the health and wellness of our services are designed to meet the full
upgrades include 3D mammography kids.” Cardiac Cath Lab to Open Soon spectrum our patients’ needs,” Smith
techniques, stereotactic breast biopsies, Broward Health also annually hosts At Broward Health Coral Springs there concluded. “Our family of expert clinical
and bone density testing for osteoporo- Camp Coral Kids, which is Broward is more to come. In April, the hospital staff – which includes more than 600
sis. County’s only medically supervised dia- will open a cardiac catheterization lab to physicians – with our experienced lead-
The new tower also provided a 10-bed betic summer camp. expand heart-related diagnoses and ther- ership and volunteers provide advanced
NICU featuring all private rooms for the The Surgery Center underwent expo- apies. New and affiliated medical staff and compassionate care to all our
tiniest patients, from 2.2 pounds or 28 nential change with the addition of 28 credentialed in cardiac, thoracic and vas- patients, from our tiniest newborns to
weeks gestation. The privacy allows for a private post-operative rooms. The center cular care will bring advanced care to the our revered seniors. Our passion for car-
calmer, more soothing atmosphere for offers advanced robotic navigation sur- community. ing ensures that our patients can manage
skin-to-skin time and parent/baby bond- gery instrumentation that may shorten Cardiac catheterization is a minimally their health and return to the exceptional
ing without alarms and voices that can length of stays and could provide faster, invasive procedure designed to provide lifestyle South Florida affords.”
cause anxiety for babies and parents. less painful recoveries. detailed and accurate information in car-
Additionally, with the expansion comes “Our patients and physicians deserve diac care. It can determine if there is any To schedule a maternity tour, contact our
seven-day, round-the-clock, onsite pedi- this advanced robotic assistance, which blockage of the coronary arteries, assess Childbirth Concierge at
atric care and the anticipated arrival of a enhances our surgeons’ abilities to pre- heart valve function, and measure and (954) 344-BABY (2229) or visit
pediatric orthopedic specialist. The cisely reach problematic areas and cor- record pressures in various heart cham- BrowardHealth.org/MaternityPlace. If you
NICU also has the Baby Cuddlers pro- rect a range of medical conditions bers. Plans for a mid-April ribbon cutting have questions regarding the growth of
gram, where volunteers help calm babies through smaller incisions,” Smith said. and open house are in the planning Broward Health Coral Springs, email Jared
when moms or dads need a rest or go “In general, these less invasive proce- stages. Smith at BHCSCEO@browardhealth.org.
home to care for other children. dures can result in positive patient out- “As a system, Broward Health has been
“As part of the Salah Foundation comes and satisfaction.” a leader in battling the number one killer

16 March 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News