Page 9 - May 2017 Health Care Heroes Section

GREATER MIAMI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2017 HEALTH CARE HEROES ®

ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS BIO-MEDICAL

Routine HIV Screening and Linkage to Care Program Sylvia Daunert,
at Homestead Hospital Ph.D., PharmD, MS
Baptist Health South Florida Professor and Lucille P. Markey Chair
Associate Director, Dr. JT Macdonald
Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute
Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology
University of Miami, Miller School of
Medicine
Dr. Sylvia Daunert, along with her colleagues,
designs new molecular diagnostic tools and biosen- “Dr. Sylvia Daunert exem-
sors based on genetically engineered proteins and plifies all that a biomedical
The HIV epidemic in the United States con- “While we are saddened by each cells that find applications in the biomedical, envi-
tinues to be a major public health crisis. An positive, the long-term impact of ronmental, and pharmaceutical fields. scientist should be. Not only
estimated 1.1 million Americans are living this program is incredible—saving The group’s research focuses on the development highly respected by peers in
with HIV, and one out of five people with HIV lives, reducing healthcare costs and of targeted and responsive drug delivery systems in her field, and the recipient of
do not know that they have it. It continues to providing people the linkages to the hopes of improving outcomes across a variety of many awards for her work,
spread, leading to about 56,000 new HIV care they so desperately need.” diseases. Among her initiatives are applications of she is also passionate about
infections each year. Florida leads the nation nanotechnology to deliver drug therapies, biolumi- the power of scientific
in new HIV infections, and Miami-Dade is the Bill Duquette nescence to illuminate circulating tumor cells, and research to yield new discov-
top county in the U.S. for new HIV infections. Chief Executive Officer biosensors to better understand the cause of inflam- eries that benefit mankind,
To interrupt this epidemic, Homestead Homestead Hospital matory bowel disease. and about training the next
Hospital implemented a routine HIV and hep- Her work is helping the South Florida community
atitis C screening program in its emergency through development of a simple test that quickly generation of scientists.
department (ED); patients presenting to the ED in need of bloodwork receive an HIV detects the human papilloma virus (HPV); the Thinh Tran, MD, MBA
and HCV test unless they decline. development of a simple, rapid point-of-care diag- Chief Operating Officer and
It took a coalition of hospital and public health professionals and a significant nostic method to detect exposure to the Zika virus; Chief Clinical Officer
investment of human and infrastructure resources to bring about systemic change and the creation of sensors to detect carcinogen University of Miami
and Homestead has become the first hospital in the state of Florida to implement exposure that is responsible for a high incidence of Health System
routine HIV/HCV screening. Since implementation of this program in May 2016, the lung cancer among South Florida firefighters. Dr.
ED has screened more than 8,000 patients and identified 74 HIV and more than 300 Daunert is not only active in life-changing research,
HCV positive individuals. she is also training the next generation of scientists
Technological advancements have also helped to identify several highly infectious as she works with graduate students, medical stu-
acute cases, and working in partnership with the Department of Health, the hospital dents and undergraduates across these disciplines.
has been able to immediately link 100 percent of these individuals to care and con-
duct a social and sexual history to mitigate the spread of infection.

Matthew H.J. Kim, JD
Debbie Institute at the University of Miami Founder, Chairman and CEO
Department of Pediatrics Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.
Matthew Kim is a passionate and dedicated
leader; his experience of watching both his parents
struggle with the devastating effects of oral cancer,
which impacts hundreds of thousands of people
every year, fueled his personal mission to find a
solution to help diagnose the disease at an earlier
stage when it is more treatable. This mission led to
the founding of Vigilant Biosciences, Inc.
According to the Oral Cancer founda-
tion, there are over 640,000 new cases of “Matthew Kim founded Vigilant
oral cancer each year worldwide, and in Biosciences after watching both of his par-
A division of the Department of Pediatrics at
the University of Miami Miller School of “The school’s goal is to provide the U.S., close to 49,750 individuals will ents struggle with the devastating effects
Medicine, the Debbie Institute (Debbie School) every child with the opportunity to be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal of oral cancer. He not only knows the sta-
provides critically needed early intervention maximize his or her own potential cancer this year; 9,575 people will die tistics, but also the very real personal
services for young children with disabilities in the areas of communication, self- from the disease. The death rate is par- impact of late diagnosis, and these strug-
throughout Miami-Dade County, regardless of help, cognition, social-emotional, ticularly high due to late-state diagnosis gles have fueled his passion to make a
each family’s ability to pay. and intervention. meaningful impact in the lives of those at
The school has a three-fold purpose: to and fine and gross motor skills, in Mr. Kim and his company are funda- risk for cancer or living with the disease.”
research problems that impact children with classrooms filled with trust, securi- mentally altering the landscape for
special needs, provide training for university ty, happiness and safety.” potentially millions of people at risk for Dean Linda Niessen
students, and provide services for children and Erika Pruss-Schmitz, MBA, MSW, RN oral cancer through a groundbreaking, Nova Southeastern University College
their families. Financial Professional yet easy to use, rinse and spit oral cancer of Dental Medicine
Educational services are provided in fully AXA Advisors diagnostic test that can be administered Member, Board of Directors, Vigilant
inclusive classrooms where all children learn at a dentist or primary care physician’s Biosciences, Inc.
together in an environment that fosters inde- office. In addition to his work with
pendence and encourages each child to reach his or her own potential, while laying Vigilant Biosciences, Mr. Kim embodies Mel Rothberg
a strong foundation for lifelong success. Recognizing that the family is the most an unyielding dedication to advancing CEO, Rothberg Associates
important influence in a child’s life, services are provided through a multidisciplinary the life sciences industry in Florida, cre- Chair, Board of Councilors, Nova Southeastern
approach to family-centered care. Through collaboration and research, the Debbie ating jobs, relocating employees to the University College of Dental Medicine
Institute has been a pioneer and community leader in training healthcare and educa- Florida area, and offering mentorship Board Member, BioFlorida
tional professionals in the areas of early intervention, therapies, and special education and guidance to other entrepreneurs.
for more than 40 years.

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