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South Florida Institute on Aging and Intuition University of Miami Scientific Co-Chairs Host

Robotics to Introduce Digital Companion, Elliq®, 16th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children

Into Local Homes Of Older Adults Cochlear implants are changing the lives of chil-
dren like Kennedy Patlan. Born in Dallas and raised
The South Florida Institute on Aging in Miami, Patlan received a cochlear implant more
(SoFIA) has announced it is seeking local than 20 years ago, and became the first deaf student
seniors as volunteers to pair with a proac- to receive a Posse scholarship to attend Syracuse
tive social companion robot for older University. “I can’t thank the clinicians and
adults, called ElliQ®. researchers enough,” said Patlan, who is now work-
At its recent Aging in South Florida ing in social cause advertising in Washington, DC.
Symposium, SoFIA announced it is part- “Together, we are making great progress, one sound
nering with ElliQ® creator Intuition at a time.”
Robotics, a provider of digital companion Patlan received a rousing ovation from more than
technologies backed by investors includ- 1,200 attendees at the 16th Symposium on Cochlear
ing Toyota Research Institute, AI Implants in Children – Treating the Whole Child,
Ventures, Samsung NEXT, and iRobot. held July 10-13 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in
This initiative extends the roll-out of Hollywood, Florida. Two University of Miami Miller Dr. Fred Telischi
Intuition Robotics’ Insiders Program, sourcing volunteers to pilot ElliQ® amongst its School of Medicine leaders served as scientific co-
target audience. chairs for the conference, which was organized by the American Cochlear Implant
ElliQ® encourages a connected, active and engaged lifestyle for older adults while (ACI) Alliance and supported by the UHealth Ear Institute and other academic and
making technology accessible and intuitive to use. Providing a friendly, intelligent and private sector organizations.
inquisitive presence, ElliQ supports users with tips and advice, responds to questions, “Cochlear implants are opening doors by restoring hearing in patients like Kennedy
surprises with suggestions, and becomes a solid companion through this stage of life. Patlan,” said co-chair Fred Telischi, M.D., chair of otolaryngology, professor of oto-
“Researchers have found that loneliness can be as damaging to your health as smok- laryngology, neurological surgery, and biomedical engineering, and the James R.
ing 15 cigarettes per day,” said Peter Kaldes, President and CEO of the South Florida Chandler Chair in Otolaryngology. “But we have to reach them early in life – ideally
Institute on Aging. “ElliQ® has the potential to make a real difference in maintaining before the age of one.”
the physical and mental health of older adults who are living alone. South Florida is Referring to the conference’s Spanish and Chinese language tracks, Dr. Telischi
a preview of the country’s aging demographics and we are excited to work with added that more cochlear implant patients will be growing up in multilingual fami-
Intuition Robotics to facilitate this focus group.” lies. “The evidence clearly supports maintaining two languages for children with hear-
Seniors participating in the Insiders Program will have the opportunity to engage ing loss,” he said.
with ElliQ®, enabling such factors as installation, feature performance, and customer Co-chair Ivette Cejas, Ph.D., associate professor of otolaryngology and psychology,
support to be assessed in real-life setting. and director of Family Support Services at the UHealth Children’s Hearing Program,
Candidates for the program will be older adults who are tech-forward in their out- emphasized the multidisciplinary aspects of the conference. “We need to look beyond
look, live alone and who are healthy but socially isolated. Those who wish to partic- the technology and consider the importance of speech therapy, psychological support,
ipate in the Insider’s Program should contact SoFIA at (954) 484-7117 or info@the- education and family engagement,” she said. “I encourage every attendee to push
sofia.org for more information. beyond your comfort zone and take advantage of the cross-training opportunities at
this symposium.”

Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Baptist Health Treasure Coast Opioid Taskforce Marks August 15
South Florida Announce Partnership As Overdose Awareness Day

Baptist Health South Florida announced the completion of its partnership with BY DEBORAH DREHER, RN, DNP
Boca Raton Regional Hospital. With this, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is now oper-
ating as part of Baptist Health South Florida. The Treasure Coast Opioid Taskforce is conducting a campaign to promote
The new partnership ensures both not-for-profit organizations will continue to Overdose Awareness Day on August 15, from noon to 2 pm, at New Horizons of the
meet their mutual missions and commitments to elevate healthcare within the com- Treasure Coast conference room, 4500 W. Midway Road, Fort Pierce.
munities they serve in an area that reaches across four South Florida counties. Held in August every year, the aim of Overdose Awareness Day is to raise awareness,
“Our organizations share the same calling to improve the health and well-being of reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, remember those who have died or suffered
individuals and to deliver compassionate healthcare to our patients at the highest permanent injury because of drug overdose, and stimulate discussion about overdose
standards of excellence and safety. We foresee an exciting future at Boca Raton prevention and drug policy.
Regional Hospital that will cement its title as the preeminent healthcare provider in Convened by the Australian charity, Penington Institute, International Overdose
the community,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and CEO of Baptist Health. Awareness Day is held on August 31 and provides an opportunity to hold rallies,
In May, Boca Raton Regional Hospital announced the appointment of Lincoln S. memorial services, candlelight vigils, as well as education and training campaigns in
Mendez as its new chief executive officer to succeed Jerry Fedele when he retires in towns and cities across the world.
August. Mendez formerly was CEO at Baptist Health’s South Miami Hospital in “If people want to help raise awareness and fight the stigma surrounding overdose
Miami-Dade County. they can attend our event at New Horizons on August 15, where we will provide edu-
In 2017, Baptist Health merged with Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital cational materials and refreshments,” says Dr. Agnieszka Marshall, a psychologist at
West in Boynton Beach. With the addition of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, it brings Tykes and Teens and an opioid taskforce member.
the number of Baptist Health hospitals to 11. “People on the Treasure Coast can also wear a purple ribbon to support
In December, Baptist Health and Boca Raton Regional Hospital announced they had International Overdose Awareness Day which will be provided at the August 15th
signed a letter of intent to form a partnership. Boca Raton Regional Hospital first event. They can also show their support and use the hashtags #OverdoseAware and
announced its intent to seek a strategic partner in 2017. Boca Regional narrowed its #EndOverdose on social media to boost awareness.”
list of suitors, including some of the nation’s foremost healthcare systems, to five in Overdose Awareness Day is also an opportunity to consider whether current over-
the spring of 2018 and selected Baptist Health as its preferred partner. dose and substance use strategies are working.
“Establishing our partnership with Baptist Health represents an important mile- “Have a conversation with your friends and family and spread the message that
stone in the history of Boca Regional,” said Jerry Fedele, president and CEO of Boca overdose is a problem affecting every community, including the Treasure Coast. No
Raton Regional Hospital. “It is one that continues the positive momentum and trajec- community is immune to overdose, it is time to change the way we look at drug-relat-
tory of Boca Regional as the premier healthcare provider in South Florida.” ed deaths in our community.” says Deborah Dreher, Chief Clinical Officer for New
Horizons.
“We need to treat drug-related harm as a health issue and invest in proven practices
that can save lives; no community including the Treasure Coast should be left
behind.”

30 August 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News