Page 28 - SFHN1218pagesFINALSP.qxp_Page layout

2018: A Year in Review... 2018: A Year in Review... 2018: A Year in Review...

The University of Miami Health System

Advances Medicine for All

With nationally ranked clinical pro-
grams and a growing number of research
grants, UHealth – the University of
Miami Health System and the University
of Miami Miller School of Medicine
made important contributions to the
field of medicine in 2018.
UHealth continues to be a magnet for
top talent from around the world with
CEO Edward Abraham, M.D., who is
also executive vice president for health
affairs, announcing several executive
appointments. Henri R. Ford, M.D.,
MHA, became dean and chief academic
officer of the Miller School of Medicine.
Mary Beth Briscoe, CPA, MBA, was
named CFO for UHealth and the Miller health care systems must operate in an this before,” said Stephan Züchner, Sylvester’s leading oncologists were
School, and Maureen Fagan, DNP, was environment of thoughtful decision M.D., Ph.D., the SEEC’s lead principal selected among the top abstracts present-
appointed chief experience officer. making that is nimble and adaptive to investigator, who chairs UM’s Dr. John T. ed during plenary sessions at major con-
As the region’s only academic medical the market. This board creates a critical Macdonald Foundation Department of ferences (ASCO and ASTRO). Their
center, UHealth led significant advance- framework to help UHealth provide Human Genetics. “Right now, medicine practice-changing findings had a signifi-
ments in innovative patient care. superior care to patients, improve popu- is practiced in very broad strokes. Most cant impact on treatment strategies for
Ophthalmologists at Bascom Palmer Eye lation health, advance medical discover- people with high blood pressure get lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Institute performed one of the first gene ies, and educate the next generation of exactly the same drug, based solely on Sylvester also maintained its status as the
therapy surgeries to treat a child with a health care leaders. their blood pressure. This study will only state-designated Cancer Center of
blinding vision disease, using Luxterna, A consortium led by the Miller School begin to collect the data that will enable Excellence in South Florida.
the first ocular gene therapy drug received a $60 million grant from the us to begin fine-tuning the therapies for The University’s Clinical and
approved by the FDA. U.S. News & World National Institutes of Health to help build specific health issues and specific popu- Translational Science Institute received a
Report also ranked Bascom Palmer #1 in the most inclusive and diverse health data- lations.” five-year, $21.5 million NIH grant to
the nation for ophthalmology for the 17th base in history. Thanks to UM’s expertise The “All of Us” grant was one of many fund collaborative research that speeds
time and the 15th year in a row. in genetics and genomics and its location research awards received by the Miller the discovery of new medical treatments
In October the University of Miami in one of the most ethnically diverse coun- School of Medicine. Fourteen depart- and cures. “Creating interdisciplinary
announced the formation of the UHealth ties in the nation, UM is the lead partner ments were ranked in the top 50 in NIH research connections across the universi-
Board of Directors, a panel of highly in the SouthEast Enrollment Center, funding for fiscal year 2017. ty is a critical part of the university’s
respected leaders in health care and busi- which plans to enroll about 100,000 par- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer roadmap,” said UM Provost Jeffrey L.
ness who will provide strategic oversight ticipants in NIH’s nationwide “All of Us” Center at the Miller School of Medicine Duerk, Ph.D. “The award reflects our
to the University of Miami Health Research Program. gained international recognition in clini- national leadership in interdisciplinary
System. As health care evolves rapidly, “There has never been an effort like cal research. Studies led by two of team science.”

Baptist Health’s Virtual Doctor Visit Technology

Adds Behavioral Health Services

Baptist Health South Florida has launched behavioral physical location, especially
health counseling through its popular telemedicine plat- when someone takes ill or
form, Care On Demand. experiences an episode out-
The hospital system’s virtual medical consultation side regular office hours. In
technology provides access to board certified psychia- fact, no appointments are
trists and behavioral therapists in addition to physicians required,” Mishkin said.
for physical ailments over smartphones, tablets and per- Baptist Health was one of
sonal computers. the first hospital systems in
In 2018, our local community (and the country) saw Florida to adopt telemedi-
an increase in the need for help for those suffering from cine. Its new Care On
mental and behavioral health disorders. Demand mobile app proved
People trying to cope with symptoms caused by anxi- successful over the past year
ety, depression, grief, addiction, postpartum depression in keeping patients out of
or post-traumatic stress disorder can consult with a Dr. David Mishkin Care On Demand mobile app urgent care and emergency
health professional in a video chat either online or rooms for minor illnesses.
through the Care On Demand mobile app. For example, patients can find a psychia- Virtual doctor visits have treated common ailments that include ear aches, coughs,
trist appointment within 7 days, compared to the weeks and months many patients sore throats, fever and flu symptoms, and minor injuries. Both the mobile app and
wait to seek help. This platform helps better serve the community and potentially online enrollment track patient records, prescriptions and virtual visits.
avoid impactful life events that can lead to serious medical issues. A person seeking immediate healthcare services from licensed practitioners with-
“With the levels of anxiety and depression at an all-time high in our country, espe- out leaving their office or home can sign up at the Care On Demand website or down-
cially among younger generations who prefer to use their smart phones to access just load the app available on most iOS and android devices. All enrollment information
about everything, it made sense to provide immediate, private visits for behavioral is secure and HIPAA-compliant, and prescriptions can be sent electronically directly
health services,” said David Mishkin, M.D., medical director, Care On Demand. to the patient’s pharmacy.
Telemedicine technology provides an avenue that is less costly, less stigmatized and “Baptist Health is at the forefront of using technology to deliver safe, consistent and
encourages more patient engagement than traditional office visits. It also alleviates high-quality healthcare to patients. For nearly two decades we have been recognized
the frustration doctors have with the typical appointment shortage, helping them to by the American Hospital Association as among the ‘most wired’ hospitals and health
see more patients than they can in the office. systems in the country,” Mishkin said.
“Clinical studies show that a video chat with a doctor is just as effective as seeing
a doctor in person. It saves patients the time and inconvenience it takes to get to a For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/CareOnDemand

28 December 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News