PHILANTHROPIC HIGHLIGHTS
Rao and Anita Uppaluri
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ao and Anita Uppaluri feel incredibly lucky to have achieved the American Dream, something many immigrants aspire to. The couple has trusted Baptist Health to serve as their healthcare provider since moving to Miami many years ago. Because of their close friendship with Samir Kulkarni, M.D., medical director of anesthesiology at Homestead Hospital and president of the Homestead Hospital Foundation Council, Rao was encouraged to become more involved with Baptist Health and later became a member of the Homestead Hospital Operating Board. Rao and Anita are honored to work with and support the hospital through philanthropy because of their strong desire to help the underserved population in the Homestead area. As Century Club members within our Giving Society, the couple understands the important role philanthropy plays, and quickly jumped into action during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. Their generosity – which included offsetting the cost of childcare for employees and providing Publix gift cards to our frontline healthcare workers – truly uplifted our staff during this difficult “There is no better way to give access to good health services to people who cannot afford it in our South Florida community than giving to Baptist Health.” time. They and their friends even -Rao and Anita Uppaluri coordinated a breakfast delivery on Mother’s Day for the staff to express their gratitude for the lifesaving care they administer to our patients.
Huizenga Family Foundation
H.
Scott Huizenga is following in the footsteps of his father, successful businessman and entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, founder of Huizenga Family Foundation. Serving the community has always been important to members of the Huizenga family, and, since the establishment of the Foundation in the 1980s, their commitment to make a difference wherever they can has been steadfast. Upon H. Wayne’s passing in 2018, H. Scott made it his life’s mission to continue building upon his father’s legacy. For many years, the Huizenga family has had a wonderful relationship with Bernie Fernandez, M.D., chief executive officer of Baptist Health Medical Group, a network of more than 180 physicians in multiple specialties closely aligned with Baptist Health. Executive Health, which falls under the umbrella of Baptist Health Medical Group, sparked the Huizenga Family Foundation’s interest in Baptist Health because of our unique approach to personalized care. The family has witnessed first-hand the impact Executive Health has had for members of our community, and last year made a gift of $500,000 in support of the Executive Health program – enhancing the program’s ability to provide extended, one-on-one time with patients and offer a concierge environment that combines a comprehensive physical “After learning of the vision for Baptist Health to grow through South examination with exclusive personal services. As new Florida with many smaller locations and Bernie’s description of that members of our Giving Society’s Arthur Vining Davis vision, I wanted to be a part of it. Dad blessed our family with so much. Club, Huizenga Family Foundation is paving the way I’m grateful to be able expand on his love for community and South Florida for the future of Executive Health at Baptist Health. in this way and honor those in our family who have done so much more.” -H. Scott Huizenga
8 BAPTIST HEALTH FOUNDATION 2020
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