Page 12 - CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA DECEMBER 2021

Cover Story: Catholic Health Services Cover Story: The Return

Appoints Aristides Pallin as President & CEO of the Carpetbaggers

Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 doctors in Florida, and a huge list of
serve at CHS. First as a Board member, ing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation ticking up as well,” he said. “Most mal- companies that defend very few doctors
facilities, long term care, assisted living,
then as the COO and now as CEO. The elder housing, hospice, home health, practice insurance companies have lost in Florida. They make that up by offer-
CEO role will provide me an opportuni- and early childhood development. money in the last couple of years as ing good pricing, hoping to entice peo-
ty to further the traditions of mission “These services are available in Miami claims have ratcheted up, so they’re ple who have not done their research.”
and service that are the core of CHS.” Dade, Broward, and hopefully soon in looking to write new policies to stay Gracey adds that it all boils down to
Some of his current and future plans Palm Beach,” he says. “This broad set of afloat. the fundamentals.
to serve the changing needs of the resi- integrated services is unique in the state. “What these companies do not under- “What’s their experience? Are they
dents of South Florida include the Specifically for our healthcare partners, stand is that one of the reasons that we financially sound? Are they going to
impact of the pandemic and severe we can provide a truly comprehensive have such high malpractice insurance treat their doctors fairly?” he asked.
staffing shortages that is forcing all approach to treatment and improved costs in Florida is because the jury pools “Even if all of these boxes are checked,
providers to evaluate the needs of the quality of life to their patients.” are extremely favorable to plaintiffs,” if they don’t have experience in our
communities and create innovative plans Pallin is looking forward to the chal- continued Gracey. “In fact, if you courtrooms or with settlement negotia-
to serve those needs. lenges that await him. Google ‘judicial hellholes,’ Miami Dade tions and trials, their expertise will be
“For CHS there is considerable focus “Funding is always a challenge for County comes out in first or second challenged at best.”
on expanding services at the home providers in our segment while at the place nearly every year.” He noted that companies new to the
including Home Health, Hospice and same time need will not diminish,” he state often overstate their experience
palliative care,” says Pallin. “The chal- says. “Advocacy for appropriate financial Buyer Beware level in Florida as well as how heavily
lenges that have existed receiving care at resources will be a continual battle. Gracey warns that the problem for they have been involved in defending
hospitals have also allowed us to focus in Staffing is also an ongoing concern that those buying malpractice insurance is doctors and hospitals in malpractice
providing alternatives to unneeded hos- we need to address. The industry is suf- that there isn’t a lot of transparency with suits, which would highlight their lack
pitalizations. Finally, the need for elder fering from this shortage and there are how claims are handled by each compa- of knowledge of the state’s jury pools.
housing will continue to grow and we no quick solutions. We are evaluating all ny, except in the state of Florida. While they may hire lawyers in-state,
have just broken ground on a new low- our resources to place the needed staff at “Florida’s Office of Insurance their claims management departments
income facility in Miramar and are the bedside while maintaining the well- Regulation does an annual malpractice are still located outside Florida, with lit-
expanding another.” being of our staff.” insurance company report that we tle to no experience of how to defend
CHS provides a full continuum of He adds that CHS is a Catholic organ- encourage doctors, CEOs and adminis- complex cases in Florida.
healthcare and social services to the ization for all. trators to read,” he said. “Check out “Unless a company has a lot of expe-
southeast Florida community. With a “We are inclusive and caring of all what each company is doing in the state rience with jury pools in Florida—one
staff of over 2,500, CHS serves more dimensions of those we serve including as far as defending their doctors—what of the toughest venues in the country—
than 6,000 people on a daily basis and patient, residents, customers, our staff claim and loss ratios are, and in particu- you have the recipe for a very inade-
operates four medical campuses, 36 and families and the communities in lar, how many claims they actually deal quate claims defense,” Gracey summa-
facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade which we reside,” he concludes. “We are with and how many are taken to court. rized. “Choose wisely, and make sure
counties. impacting the lives of many communi- “Because doctors don’t really know that your insurance company has a
According to Pallin, what sets Catholic ties.” what they should pay for malpractice wealth of local experience.”
Health Services apart from other health insurance, they are susceptible to low-
services providers in the state includes a For additional information, visit ball pricing and bait-and-switch tactics,” For more information, contact Matt
very broad set of services focused on the www.catholichealthservices.org. he added. “There is a very strong, small Gracey at (800) 966-2120 or visit
communities. This includes skilled nurs- group of companies who defend a lot of www.dannagracey.com.

MAKINGROUNDS…MAKINGROUNDS…MAKINGROUNDS…MAKINGROUNDS…MAKINGROUNDS…

Dr. Cherrie Morris Named Chief Jupiter Medical Center Adds Expert
Physician and Operations Executive Medical Oncologist Adam J.
for Cape Coral Hospital Kotkiewicz, DO, to the Team at the

Anderson Family Cancer Institute
As a practicing physician with Lee Health for more than
20 years, Cherrie Morris, M.D., M.S., has been appointed
as the new chief physician and operations executive for Jupiter Medical Center welcomes Dr. Adam J.
Cape Coral Hospital. Kotkiewicz to its team of cancer care specialists at the
Morris has been a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist award-winning hospital’s renowned Anderson Family
with Lee Health since 1998 and has served as system med- Dr. Cherrie Morris Cancer Institute.
ical director for obstetrical services since 2019 and as lead Dr. Kotkiewicz’ expertise will bolster the remarkable Dr. Adam J. Kotkiewicz
physician for Lee Physician Group obstetrics and gynecology since 2014. institute’s unmatched care in the areas of medical hematology and oncology, general
She has extensive experience with medical staff leadership and governance through oncology, lung and genitourinary cancers and more.
the HealthPark Medical Center Medical Executive Committee, the Lee Health Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Kotkiewicz brings with him more than
Credentialing/Privileging Committee, the Women’s Services Operational Council and a decade of experience and extensive training. Before joining Jupiter Medical Center,
the Lee Physician Group Governance Committee and Quality & Peer Review he served as Physician Advisor for Executive Health Resources for the Lehigh Valley
Committee. Health Network.
Morris earned her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and her
master of science in nutritional biochemistry from Rutgers University. She completed
her residency at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa. E-mail Your Editorial Submissions to

editorial@southfloridahospitalnews.com

Subscribe to...
SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS & HEALTHCARE REPORT today!

Subscribe online at www.southfloridahospitalnews.com or call 561-368-6950

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com December 2021 25