Nursing Consortium of Florida announces election of 2023 Board of Directors

The voting representatives of the Nursing Consortium of Florida's member organizations  have elected three new nurse leaders and re-elected four nurse leaders to serve two-year terms on its Board of Directors. The new members are: Miami Cancer Institute’s Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Vicki Caraway, RN, BSN, MBA, NE-BC; Palm Beach State College’s Interim Associate Dean, Nursing Carol Clarke EdD, DNP, MSN, APRN; and Arizona College of Nursing’s Dean Shawn Higgins, PhD, RN. Broward College’s Associate Dean, Nursing Nancy Gonzalez, MSN, APRN-BC, PPCNP-BC; Miami Dade College’s Dean, Benjamín Leόn School of Nursing Tommie L. Norris, DNS, RN; Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer and Patient Safety Officer Shannon Odell, MSN, RNC-OB, NE-BC; and University of Miami Hospitals & Clinics’ Chief Nursing Officer Elizabeth L. Vieito-Smith, DNP, RN have been re-elected to a new two-year terms.  The newly elected directors will begin their terms on the 29th of March.

Consortium to address Cultivating the Dimensions of Powerful Partnerships at its next conference

The Consortium's next educational conference will be held on Friday, the 23rd of June at the Signature Grand in Davie.  The theme will be Cultivating the Dimensions of Powerful Partnerships; Advancing Nursing Academia and Practice Leadership.  The day will feature presentations in the morning and a series of concurrent breakout sessions in the  afternoon.  Watch for our call for abstracts and additional details soon.  Meanwhile, you can be among the first to register and take advantage of the early-bird savings by clicking here.  

Preparing the next generation of practice-ready nurses

On Wednesday, March 29, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Wolters Kluwer will offer a webinar, “Preparing the next generation of practice-ready nurses” highlighting:

• How nurse faculty can partner with healthcare organizations to facilitate a smooth transition by new graduates to competent practice.
• How healthcare organizations are changing their orientation programs. 
• Strategies for healthcare organizations to improve nurse retention.

For more information and a link to register, please click here.

Caring is Good Business

On Thursday, March 30, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Laudio, a foremost consulting firm for frontline healthcare leaders, will conduct a virtual webinar, “Caring is Good Business”. Whether you are a frontline leader of clinical operations or overseeing employee well-being at the enterprise level, this webinar on the practical application of the  Swanson Caring Theory to the employee experience is one that you should not miss.  Join Laudio’s Chief Clinical Advisor, Joel Ray, and guest co-author Deb Stargardt, Principal of Doyen Compass, LLC, for a passionate and lively discussion on how to apply the same principles of caring for patients to the caring of employees. Please click here to read more or to Register.

Catch the Love Golf Classic raises $420,000 for Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation

The second annual “Catch the Love” golf classic presented recently by Susan and Charlie Emby at St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, raised $420,000 for Consortium member Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. The charitable event featured 128 golfers that enjoyed lunch, a scramble format, cocktails, and a live auction that included a seven-night stay at a private beach house at the Eden Rock Resort on the island of St. Barths. “When you donate to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, you are ensuring your children and grandchildren will have access to world-class healthcare services close to home,” said Kevin Janser, president of the nonprofit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Additionally, and this is a promise we made to Mr. DiMaggio himself, all children will have equal access to care and none will ever be turned away, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.” Please click here to read more.

Individual Memberships keep retiring leaders engaged

There are numerous nurse leaders that though retired wish to contribute to Consortium committee work. An excellent way for these leaders to continue their engagement is by becoming an Individual Member of the Consortium. Those wishing to learn more about this special membership category should click here. The Consortium continues to predominately be an organizational member driven organization.  "Membership at the organizational level has facilitated close relationships with executive nurse leaders and provided opportunities for all member entity nurse employees to engage as committee members and influence Consortium programming," says Consortium executive director Ralph Egües, "That isn't changing, but we do want to also encourage engagement by retired nurse leaders that want to continue advancing nursing."   

Holy Cross Health recognized as a Medscape Physician Choice Awards for excellence in orthopedics

Consortium member Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale has been recognized as a Medscape Physician Choice Awards for excellence in orthopedics. This is the only hospital recognition program based solely on the perceptions and preferences of physicians on a local level. Holy Cross Health CEO Mark Doyle said, “This is quite a tribute to our orthopedics team which is one of the finest in the country. We have been a regional leader in orthopedic innovation for more than 25 years and are consistently recognized for our award-winning care. We remain committed to providing the best orthopedic care in South Florida.” Medscape Physician Choice Awards identify the best-in-class health systems in a local region from a physician perspective for orthopedics with the top 30% of physician preferences receiving the Medscape Physician Choice Award. The surveys are run on an annual basis. Please click here to read more.

McKinsey advises healthcare marketers to wake up to the modern consumer

Four Baptist Health facilities get Top National Award for outstanding quality of care

Consortium member Baptist Health has had four of its facilities named as Leapfrog Top Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in 2022, out of only 12 selected nationally for the competitive award. The recognition is for quality care and patient safety, including staffing, patient experience, hand hygiene, surgical checklist protocols, and error prevention. This is the second year of Leapfrog’s Top ASC award which honors top performers as verified by the Leapfrog ASC Survey. The award is presented by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers widely acknowledged as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. The four Baptist Health facilities recognized are: Baptist Health Surgery Center at South Miami; Baptist Health Surgery Center in Plantation; Baptist Health Endoscopy Center at Coral Springs; and Baptist Health Surgery Center at Miami Beach. Please click here to read more. 

Lung Center opens new state-of-art unit at UHealth Jackson Critical Care Pavilion

SAMHSA announces new leadership and personnel for recovery office 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has appointed a new team of leaders to help staff SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery. Assuming the role of Office Director will be Paolo del Vecchio, MSW. As a person in recovery from both mental health and substance use conditions, a family member, and a trauma survivor, Mr. del Vecchio has more than 40 years of experience of behavioral health leadership and systems change efforts to promote recovery-based care. He was SAMHSA’s Executive Officer and Director of the Office of Management, Technology and Operations and previously served as Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services. He will be joined by  Senior Advisor Dona Dmitrovic who was previously the Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Also serving as Senior Advisor will be Larry Davidson, Ph.D; a Professor of Psychology at Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry and a recipient of psychiatric care himself.  Dr. Davidson has been one of the nation’s leading researchers on recovery-oriented practices in mental health and substance use services and served as Project Director of SAMHSA’s Recovery to Practice initiative.  Please click here to read more.

Jason Dunne joins the City of Fort Lauderdale Community Services Board

and cultural funding and it recommends applications to the City Commission for Community Block Grant allocations for public service activities such as housing opportunities for persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA), funds for housing related services with a social service impact, based upon a budget provided to the Board by the City Commission. Jason says, “I am honored to have been appointed to the Community Services Board and appreciate the opportunity to advocate for diverse community organizations in their missions to serve the residents of Fort Lauderdale.”

Consortium president Maria Suarez featured by CBS News as tireless advocate for mammograms in fight against breast cancer

at Consortium member Baptist Health’s Miami Cancer Institute where she is responsible for adult and pediatric infusion services, the bone marrow transplant unit, nursing education, and practice standards. The broadcast focused on Maria’s outstanding career as well as her personal and family experience with breast cancer. Maria stressed that, “…although there have been many advances in breast cancer treatment, still the most important screening you can do is the mammogram. Early action saves lives. I'm living proof of that. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I can't stress enough how important it is for early screening.” She also mentioned genetic testing and other resources available through Miami Cancer Institute.  Please click here to read more and view the video.

McKinsey survey shows Gen Z apprehensive about its place in the working world

The latest iteration of McKinsey & Company’s American Opportunity Survey reveals a generational gap in the workplace, with marked differences among how GZ (Americans 18 to 24) and other generations view themselves, their ability to work effectively, and their futures. While each generation may encounter struggles and doubts as they join the workforce, Generation Z1 has entered the working world during a global pandemic and amid concerns over rising inflation rates, recession fears, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change. The survey reports Gen Z showing high rates of mental-health challenges, impediments to effective work, and worries about the future. Some of the differences in how the generations respond to survey questions suggest concerning levels of distress among young people, including an astounding 55 percent reporting having either been diagnosed with or having received treatment for mental illness (compared with 31 percent of people aged 55 to 64 reporting the same). US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a public health advisory in December 2021 to address the “youth mental-health crisis” exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new McKinsey research underscores the urgency of these problems. Please click here to read more.

Why Microsoft measures employee thriving, not engagement

As many employees continue to work hybrid schedules, researchers at Microsoft who specialize in People Analytics, have changed their focus from measuring employee engagement to measuring employee thriving. Defined as “to be energized and empowered to do meaningful work,” the researchers explain how their mindset shifted around this topic, what they’ve discovered among their employees, and what your organization can learn from their research. One thing is clear: None of us are the same people today as we were prior to 2020. So, as our employees change, the ways we can best empower them need to evolve, too. At Microsoft the People Analytics team found a new way of measuring ”thriving,” at both work and outside of it, that goes beyond engagement only. This article shares how and why they came to this measurement. Please click here to read more.

Growing interest in gig nursing to fill staffing needs

Stress, burnout, lack of work–life balance and other factors continue to contribute to the mass exodus of nurses from their jobs. To help fill the void, healthcare facilities look to on-demand, per diem staffing models and travel nursing. Another growing flexible staffing approach now, is “gig nursing,” according to a recent article in American Nurse magazine. The article says gig nurses work as contractors employed directly by the hospital, not through a nursing agency. They pick up a few extra shifts and don’t have to commit to full contracts or long-term agreements. Similar to the convenient Uber or Lyft apps for ordering rides, new gig nursing apps make it easy for healthcare facilities to connect with per diem nurses. Trade-offs, such as the lack of benefits exist, but nurses can control when and where they work. Research reveals that the post-pandemic pool of healthcare professionals, including nurses, who want either extra shifts or flexible work models without contracts tops 18 million. That’s an incredible resource for hospitals and healthcare organizations to tap for solving the issue of ever-changing patient demand. Please click here to read more, by author Lillee Gelinas, DNP, RN, CPPS, FAAN.

UM Miller School among first to test new drug to treat monkeypox

A team of researchers at the  University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine was among the first in the nation to test an experimental drug that helps people suffering from human monkeypox virus. The test patient recovered quickly after receiving tecovirimat, a medication designed to treat human smallpox disease that was authorized for “compassionate use” in monkeypox cases by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this summer to determine if it would help those patients. The lesions that covered the 37-year-old patient’s body healed quickly after he received tecovirimat, and he reported only minimal nausea following his treatment. A summary of the case was published in The Lancet medical journal, adding to a growing body of research into the highly communicable virus. Please click here to read more.

Cleveland Clinic and IBM begin Installation of IBM Quantum System One

Barry University launches the School of Nursing to address the nation’s nursing shortage

The nursing shortage has reached an all-time high and it is placing a strain on the Florida healthcare infrastructure. Consortium member Barry University has responded by launching the Barry School of Nursing, formed from the foundation of the former College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Nursing Program, originally created in 1953. The establishment of the School will accelerate the development of novel approaches to preparing the nursing workforce of the future. It will also unlock potentials for students and faculty to meet the demand and supply of entry-level professional nurses; nurses engaged in advanced practice; and nurse scientists and educators. The School will be housed in the newly structured College of Health and Wellness with the School of Social Work and all other health-related programs. The new school will be led by Tony Umadhay, Ph.D., CRNA, APRN. Dr. Umadhay brings nearly thirty years of experience to the position, having served as a clinician, hospital manager, and educator. He has deep connections and strong affiliations with South Florida community health leaders and hospital organizations. He joined the Barry faculty in 2006 and recently served as associate dean of academic affairs. Dr. Umadhay is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in his field as evidenced by grant awards, elections, and appointments by nursing professional groups, and achievement awards. Please click here to read more.     

Local couple gifts $5.5 Million to Broward Health Foundation  

Consortium member Broward Health’s foundation received a gift of $5.5 million from Marvin H. Weiner and Jacqueline J. Bernstein

With this donation to Broward Health, the couple wanted to inspire others to give, to show gratitude for the exceptional care Weiner received during his multiple visits for cancer treatment at Broward Health Imperial Point, and to further the advanced care the hospital provides its patients. Sadly, Weiner passed away on Sept. 6, 2022. Please click here to read more.

Nicklaus Children's Health System offers scholarships for students in Miami-Dade College's Associate of Science in Nursing program  

Consortium member Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has doubled the size of its Hollywood location from four to eight floors, with new surgical capabilities, treatments and patient/family programs. The hospital’s growth allows Memorial Healthcare System to meet the continuous demand for specialized services added to its mix of already established offerings. Since its inception in 1992, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has experienced tremendous growth and has evolved into a specialized tertiary care facility for children. From 2,000 admissions that first year, the children’s hospital now manages more than 375,000 patient encounters annually. Its service area has stretched considerably, with patients seeking care from across the United States and the Caribbean. The hospital’s Pediatric Transport Team now transports almost 2,000 children in need of specialty care annually from other hospitals. Please click here to read more. 

American Nurse Journal publishes results of latest of Nursing Trends and Salary Survey

American Nurse Journal’s sixth annual Nursing Trends and Salary Survey, reflects some positive movement, such as improved response to reports of workplace violence and slightly higher job satisfaction. But challenges, such as ongoing staffing shortages and incidents of violence, continue. Fortunately, nurses seem ready to face those challenges: For the sixth straight year, most respondents (82% of 4,397) would choose nursing as their profession again. Please click here for a closer look at some of the key survey findings, which include aggregate data and some comparisons between clinicians and nurse managers.

Johnson & Johnson says “Recruit and Retain” not enough to build nursing staff

In a recently published article, Lynda Benton, a Senior Director at Johnson & Johnson Nursing, advises the healthcare community to focus on “Attract, Develop and Diversify” to help hold and build the nursing workforce. Benton says, “We have a healthcare system that is strained. We have health workers burdened by stress and burnout. And if the nursing workforce is unequipped and unsupported to do the work they do so beautifully day-to-day, healthcare as we know it is in serious trouble. Amid the “great resignation” across many industries and unprecedented challenges to our healthcare system in particular, one HR department battle cry has become “recruit and retain.”  But when 66% of nurses are considering leaving the profession, “recruit and retain” is not enough. In fact, I would love to delete those words from our vocabulary when speaking about the nursing profession. We need to work together to rethink and redesign the healthcare work environment, ideally to become a place that truly attracts a diverse cohort of nurse leaders, where they can grow, develop and thrive, equipping them with the tools to practice successfully. Please click here to read more.

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