OCTOBER 2013
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Securing a healthy future for Miami-Dade County BY GRANT MILLER Publisher
Everyone in MiamiDade County has been touched by Jackson Health System at one point or another. If we haven’t been to the hospital ourselves, we have family members or friends who have gone to Jackson seeking help, and they have always found it. For many years, Jackson’s facilities have provided some of the world’s top clinical care to Miami-Dade residents. This year, Jackson Memorial Hospital again was ranked the top hospital in Miami-Fort Lauderdale by U.S. News & World Report. Jackson offers top-notch services to more than a 250,000 patients each year. As one of the largest teaching hospital in the country, with over 1,000 resident doctors training alongside its world-renowned staff, Jackson also serves as the training grounds for many of Florida’s future doctors and is helping build tomorrow’s healthcare economy in our community. But the Jackson network of hospitals and clinics needs our help, if they are to continue to offer world-class services. On Nov. 5, Miami-Dade voters have the opportunity to secure access to world class and quality health services for all Miami-Dade residents. The bond issue on the ballot will allow Jackson to renovate and expand its existing facilities, build new centers to accommodate increasing healthcare demands, and provide innovative technology and services that will keep Jackson competitive while growing important partnerships with the local medical community and community at large. A yes vote for Jackson’s bond referen-
––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See SECURING, page 5
First Economic Forecast HEALTH CARE CORNER ‘Stress-Busting’ Spotlights 2014 Trends brings reliefs to caregivers BY BLANCA CEBALLOS
Michael Pappas, CEO/President of The Keyes Company; Abe Ng, CEO/President of Sushi Maki and Joseph Hovancak , VP – One Community One Goal/Strategic Planning & Market Development for The Beacon Council rounded out the panel. “Wow” was the resounding comments following this unique presentation. The DBC’s Financial Services Committee, chaired by Mara Falero of Jet Stream Federal Credit Union stated the Economic Forecast will definitely be an annual event! The Committee is comprised of Vice Chair Marti Bueso (Home Financing Center), Iliana Rodriguez (NovaBancard), Mariangelica Alvarado (Verizon), Marcia Cleary, (Citibank), Maria Martinez (Team Concepts), Maria Mendez (AmTrust Bank) and Mara
Those responsible for caring for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or debilitating dementia often experience high levels of emotional and physical stress generated by the daily routine of providing care. To support family caregivers, United HomeCare has teamed up with United Way of Miami-Dade County to offer its “Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers” through its Caregivers United initiative. The free nine-week program is taught by certified instructors who cover topics such as stress and relaxation, dealing with challenging behaviors, grief, loss, and depression, how to cope with stress and more. The innovative Stress-Busting was developed at the University of Texas Health Science Center. As part of the course, participants receive a Path to Wellness Caregiver Guide, a meditation audio CD, and relaxation strategies DVD. To make it easier for participants to take time out from care giving duties and attend sessions, each receives 15 hours of free respite care delivered by a qualified UHC Home Health Aide professional. Caregivers completing the program improve care giving skills and have reported significantly lowering of the strain generated by Alzheimer’s or other dementia care responsibilities for
––––––––––– See HEALTH CARE CORNER, page 5
––––– See HEALTH CARE CORNER, page 5
From left: Luis Miguel, Tom Cunningham, Sonya Canas, Al Peraza, Robet Lopez (Photos by SnapHappy)
BY MARTI BUESO
The first annual Economic Forecast Luncheon presented by the DBC’s Financial Services Committee was held Sept. 27 at the Intercontinental Hotel Doral. A private seating with the esteemed Tom Cunningham, VP, Senior Economist and Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta was pre-scheduled for the DBC Trustees and Sponsor members of the event. The sold-out crowd was treated to Cunningham’s 2014 trends, topics, issues and predictions for the upcoming year. A distinguished local panel of CEOs representing the local sub-sectors of real estate, tourism, hospitality, small business and international trade followed, providing trends for the South Florida market and differentiating the predictions for local vs. national markets.
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