Page 32 - CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA JULY 2020

Let’s Connect: Fortis Cutler Bay –

ACHE of South Florida Keeping Students on Track

Located in South Miami, Fortis Cutler Bay has a life
Spotlight and culture of its own and the campus reflects that diver-
sity! With allied health programs in Medical Assisting,
Medical Assisting with Basic X-ray Operation, as well as
two nursing programs, Practical Nursing and an
Associate of Nursing degree, we provide the community
ACHE Membership, Fellowship with multiple education options to prepare for a career in
healthcare.
Key to Leadership Advancement Bruce Smith’s leadership has guided the college through
Just finishing his first year as president of Cutler Bay,
the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
and the transition to “remote learning” for course deliv- Bruce Smith
BY VANESSA ORR ACHE,” he explained. ery. With the goal of keeping students on-track academi-
“There were multiple cally, supporting them through the transition to remote and online course deliv-
Jorge J. García, PharmD, executives pursuing ery via a Virtual Classroom, Smith and staff have worked to ease the unexpected
MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE, that membership, and pressures of early 2020 and smooth the path for students who were unfamiliar
is a strong believer in life- the fellowship designa- with this learning modality.
long learning and the tion as well. Committed to meeting the needs of the community, Fortis Cutler Bay is also
value of continuing educa- After researching the expanding its program offerings with a new program in Practical Nursing with
tion. Since coming to the organization, Dr. Garcia the next class starting July 6th. The Fortis Practical Nursing program guides stu-
U.S. from Cuba at the age traveled to Chicago for dents through a comprehensive curriculum combining classroom instruction,
of 15, he has made it his ACHE’s annual meet- hands-on laboratory work and real-world experience that prepares graduates to
goal to become a leader in ing. “I was fascinated by sit for the licensing exam and become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs
the field of healthcare, and the level of engage- generally focus on the comfort of the patient and work under the supervision of
today he is a sought-after ment,” he said. “It was registered nurses. Many of them also work in long-term care facilities, but due to
expert in the field of phar- energizing to find an nursing shortages, more are now working in various environments.
macy charge integrity and organization that This new PN program enhances the existing offerings at Cutler Bay, joining
revenue management in aligned with my goals Medical Assisting, Medical Assisting with Basic X-ray, and an Associate Degree in
the health system setting, Dr. Jorge J. García of progressive leader- Nursing (ADN) that prepares students to sit for the Registered Nursing licensing
as well as in the areas of ship advancement.” exam. Learn more about the education opportunities at Fortis by calling (786)
alternative payment models, biosimilars, Dr. Garcia also appreciated that ACHE 345-5300 or visiting Fortis.edu.
and value-based oncology care. gave him greater access to the rest of the
As the assistant vice president, System healthcare industry.
Oncology Pharmacy Service Line at “ACHE provides resources outside of
Baptist Health South Florida, Dr. Garcia the pharmacy world and the professional
is responsible for all inpatient and outpa- organizations that I follow,” he
tient oncology pharmacy services explained. “It gave me a view of the rest Turning Over the Presidential Gavel
throughout the healthcare system. This of the healthcare management world,
includes facilities in the Florida Keys, and showed me how I could increase my This has certainly been an interesting year as pres-
Miami-Dade County, Broward County, responsibilities not just as a pharmacy ident of the Dade County Medical Association
and now Palm Beach County with leader, but beyond. (DCMA). Despite all the obstacles, we successfully
Baptist’s acquisition of Boca Raton “Pharmacy can be a very isolating re-launched Miami Medicine magazine as a peer-
Regional Hospital. industry in some ways, and to be a suc- reviewed journal publishing articles of scientific
Prior to taking this position, he served cessful leader, it’s important to under- interest to the physician community in South Florida
as the director of pharmacy for Memorial stand the needs and expectations of the and providing free continuing medical education
Healthcare System’s Cancer Institute for healthcare disciplines around us,” he (CME) opportunities for DCMA members. We estab-
four years, and as the operations coordi- adds. “ACHE provides networking lished the first Quality Designation program based
nator at Broward Health Medical Center. opportunities with professionals outside on input from practicing physicians that eliminates
“My role at Baptist is to ensure that we of the pharmacy area, which adds per- bias and is of value to both patients and physicians.
practice in an evidence-based manner, spective when designing a strategic phar- We also added live CME activities that met the re-
and remain at the forefront of providing macy plan—it needs to focus not just on licensure needs of all physicians, both MD and DO, BY ANTONIO MESA,
quality treatments to our patients,” he our world, but has to be complementary in the most convenient form available in the state. DO
said. “I also play a major role in making to the rest of the healthcare plan.” While these are great accomplishments for any
sure that research is available to patients; Dr. Garcia chose to pursue ACHE fel- year, the second half of this presidential term was also dominated by the coro-
in oncology, sometimes treatments are lowship, which he found to be a reward- navirus pandemic. The DCMA has been stalwart in supporting local physicians
not successful, and we offer alternative ing experience. He now encourages oth- and their families. When no one could get personal protective equipment
treatments under investigation at the ers to make the journey. (PPE), the DCMA was able to secure enough supplies to protect both practicing
Miami Cancer Institute, where I spend “I want other healthcare professionals physicians and their families. Throughout the pandemic, the DCMA has contin-
most of my time.” to understand that pursuing a fellow- ued to be a resource for information, provide educational webinars and guid-
Dr. García obtained his Doctor of ship is feasible, and that there are col- ance on legislation, and offer assistance with supplies that have been hard to
Pharmacy and MBA from Nova leagues out there who will help them obtain otherwise. As this pandemic winds down and things return to normal,
Southeastern University in 2010. He through the process, as they did me,” he the DCMA will continue to support local physicians.
then attended the University of said. “There are also many incredible Fortunately, the incoming president of the DCMA, Dr. Rudolph Moise, is an
Pittsburgh Medical Center to pursue a resources available to help, including excellent physician and outstanding leader. A retired Air Force colonel, Dr.
pharmacy administration residency and online. Moise has had extensive experience in patient care and practice management.
a Master of Science in Pharmacy “Having this credential speaks He is the best person to help lead South Florida’s medical community as we
Administration, and also earned an MHA strongly of those who earn it; in more reopen the region and remove the restrictions put in place for the pandemic.
from Florida Atlantic University. ways than I probably even realize, hav- It has been an honor to serve as president of the DCMA this past year. The
Dr. Garcia first became interested in ing this credential has helped with my perspective as president has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the
the American College of Healthcare personal brand, including how other many good and heroic things South Florida physicians do every day. I am grate-
Executives (ACHE) while at Memorial professionals embrace me as a leader ful to be able to practice among some of the best physicians in the country.
Healthcare System. “Memorial’s culture because of the baseline of leadership
encourages continuing professional that earning it requires,” he added. “It Dr. Antonio Mesa is President of the Dade County Medical Association
development, and its staff spoke highly advances our intellectual capital as and Miami Medicine Editor-in-Chief. For more information,
of the resources available through healthcare leaders.” contact the DCMA at (305) 324-8717.

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