Page 8 - SFHN FEBRUARY 2021 FINAL

A Message from the Broward
VITAS® Healthcare County Medical Association

Opens Temporary 8-Bed President, Abram Berens, MD

Inpatient Hospice Unit
It is a great honor and COVID-19. Who could
at Broward Health Coral Springs privilege to be named have imagined a pandemic
President of an organization of this magnitude that
While construction continues on VITAS Healthcare’s 12-bed inpatient that is committed to help- would not only threaten the
hospice unit (IPU) at Broward Health Coral Springs, a temporary eight-bed ing the medical profession health of our patients but
IPU at the hospital is now providing high-acuity care to local patients and and the patients we serve. place our physicians and
their families. Challenging times remain nurses in danger and crip-
“The availability of these eight IPU beds helps ease the concerns of hos- for the health care system ple our economy?
pice patients and their families and relieves some of the burden on hospital and as President, I pledge to However, that is what we
staff and rooms, while providing the high level of compassionate care that serve as a strong voice and are facing, and that is what
VITAS is known for,” said George M. Tokesky, general manager for VITAS dedicated advocate for we must address. We must
in Broward County. “Using our one-touch VITAS mobile referral app, physi- patients and physicians on BY DR. ABRAM continue to advocate for
cians and staff have a simplified process to refer and transition patients the pressing health care BERENS safe vaccines and treatment,
seamlessly into comfort care.” issues confronting our adequate supplies of per-
Inpatient hospice care is 24/7 care by an interdisciplinary hospice team county and nation. sonal protective equipment,
for patients whose symptoms can no longer be managed at home or in their I am excited to embrace this opportu- appropriate facilities and medical equip-
preferred care setting, such as a nursing home or assisted living community. nity to help advance the BCMA’s work to ment and adequate support staff.
The two-phase VITAS project includes eight inpatient beds now available on shape the future of medicine and We must work with public health offi-
the third floor of the 250-bed hospital while a permanent 12-bed IPU is improve patient care. cials to pursue policies that reduce the
under construction. I am driven to support the mission of frequency and severity of disease while at
“Broward Health Coral Springs’ collaboration with VITAS offers conven- the Broward County Medical Association the same time allow for an orderly and
ient access to high-quality hospice care within our hospital,” said Jared M. by focusing on the future of medicine. safe conduct of business and education.
Smith, CEO for Broward Health Coral Springs. “This service strengthens Colleagues and friends, we find our- This may be one of our most difficult
our ability to provide compassionate end-of-life care to our patients and selves in an unusually complex and diffi- challenges, because medical ethics rest
their families.” cult healthcare environment. All physi- squarely on our shoulders. We cannot
VITAS has provided hospice care in Broward County since 1980 in cians are faced with ethical and clinical delegate it or relegate it to others. The
patients’ homes, their preferred care settings or inpatient units. Clinicians challenges, protecting our profession, ultimate decision on what our profession
and care teams are available 24/7 to provide care and answer questions. and assuring quality care for patients. If stands for is ours alone to make.
this were not enough, it is even more dif- One final area that needs our contin-
ficult due to the Coronavirus pandemic. ued attention is our primary role as
For information on hospice eligibility or to refer patients, contact VITAS 24/7
It is in times like these that our fellow physicians as the ultimate decision mak-
at 800-93-VITAS, visit VITAS.com/referrals or download
physicians and our patients need our ers in delivering high-quality, medical
the VITAS mobile app at VITASapp.com.
leadership more than ever. We need care for all.
strong physician organizations at every I look forward to working on your
level. behalf during my term as president. Our
We need strong leaders. But more than leadership will never give up in efforts to
that, we each must be committed to the advance our policies and achieve our
T
“MY DOC OR ... MY HHOME ... team. To serve humanity by endeavoring common goals.
O
C
to achieve the highest standards in

Dr. Abram “Abby” Berens, President,
E CE OF MIN .
MY PEA ND ” Medical Education, Medical Science, Broward County Medical Association, can
Medical Art, and Medical Ethics.
Let me briefly touch on a few issues
be reached at (954) 916-1100 or
that I believe are the most important for drberens@aol.com.
the BMCA.
••••••••••••••••••••••••
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8 February 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News