Page 36 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS MAY 2021

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PULMONARY, CRITICAL CARE & SLEEP CORAL GABLES HOSPITAL
DISORDERS INSTITUTE OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Denise Hernandez-Figueroa, MSN, RN
Mirta Aguilar-Ragbir,
MSN, APRN, FNP-C, RRT Denise Hernandez-Figueroa, MSN, RN, is currently the Chief
Nursing Officer at Coral Gables Hospital. Hernandez-Figueroa
Mirta Aguilar-Ragbir, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, RRT, began her has more than 14 years of clinical and administrative experience
journey as a respiratory therapist and today practices as an in Nursing. In her role at Coral Gables Hospital, she is respon-
APRN. Her commitment and contribution to healthcare comes sible for overseeing and coordinating the care and staffing of the
by way of her dedication to her career, her patients, and to the hospital’s nursing units, their daily operations, along with imple-
future of nursing. Mirta is loved by those she cares for. She menting quality initiatives. Shortly after starting at Coral Gables
goes above and beyond for her patients. In fact, the Belize Hospital as CNO, Hernandez-Figueroa was tasked with leading
native knew there was a language barrier between important her nursing team through the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. In
COVID-19 news and the Hispanic community, and took time from her already busy addition, she has assisted with the launch of Tele-ER services for the Miami-Dade/Broward
schedule, to partake in virtual question and answer sessions delivered in Spanish Tenet Hospital sites, increasing Emergency Care access to patients virtually. Hernandez-
through Latin media outlets. Most people would agree we need more practitioners like Figueroa’s nursing leadership experience began at one of New York City’s top hospitals.
Mirta, so it's admirable and comforting to know she is also a teacher, leading the next Her experience in Florida includes being the Director of Emergency Services at Palmetto
generation of Nova Southeastern University students. Mirta offers so much to patients, General Hospital as well as Coral Gables Hospital many years ago. In both positions, she
as an APRN specializing in pulmonology, especially with respiratory therapy experience. was accountable for the overall direction of the Emergency Departments. She has been
instrumental in the implementation of numerous nursing, quality and patient safety ini-
tiatives, which led to the overall improvement at her organizations. Her focus is on the
PALM HEALTH FOUNDATION patient experience, quality of care, culture of safety and employee engagement.

Palmer Randall, RN Jonathan Fraginals, BSN, RN

Palm Health Foundation honors nursing scholarship recipi- Jonathan Fraginals, BSN, RN, is currently the Director of
ent and Good Samaritan Medical Center critical care nurse Nursing for Critical Care Services and Nursing Administration.
Palmer Randall, R.N. Randall’s passion for nursing came about Fraginals is responsible for all Critical Care Areas, which include
after his brother suffered a traumatic injury while serving in the Emergency Services at the Main Hospital and Off-Campus
Unites States Marine Corps. He has dedicated his life to caring Emergency Department, the Intensive Care Unit, and the
for others with the goal to work at the Veterans Administration Surgical Stepdown Area. In addition, he oversees Nursing
as an orthopedic nurse practitioner serving our nation’s heroes. Administration. Fraginals has over 12 years of nursing experi-
The foundation’s Nursing Advancement Fund supported ence and over 8 years in Nursing Leadership. He started at Coral
Randall while at Palm Beach State College. He will receive his BSN in the fall and plans Gables Hospital in 2015 as a Nurse Manager, was promoted to
to pursue a masters degree. In his current role, Randall is already benefiting veteran Director the following year, He has since covered many different areas of the hospital and
been an active participant in driving the quality of patient care. Fraginals earned his
patients by making personal connections. “I’m able to share the story of my own military Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Barry University. He is also a member of the
family and build trust,” he said. “Creating common ground, especially when a patient is American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
in a vulnerable state, opens the way to greater involvement in their care.”

Compassionate Care.

It’s What We Do.

In celebration of National Nurses’ Week, we recognize our
nurses and their essential role in serving patients and families at
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Pediatric nursing is a special calling.
We honor our nurses for their dedication
to clinical excellence and creating a lasting
impression for children in our care.

3100 SW 62 Avenue | Miami, FL 33155 305-666-6511
nicklauschildrens.org

36 May 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News