Health Care & Life Sciences Clusters Look Who’s Here: page 12
From the CEO
A Healthy Difference
IN 2003, PALM BEACH COUNTY
State of Florida contributed approximately $500 million to bring the predecessor to what is now The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology to launch a life science hub in Jupiter. Leaders anticipated “unprecedented economic and educational opportunities in Florida to propel the state to the forefront of biomedical research and discovery.”
Two decades later, the county’s life science sector is recognized globally as a leader in groundbreaking research, development and clinical trials across the full spectrum of health care and medical science. In this issue of Quarterly explore the organizations making a diff our community and the world of life science innovation, including Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, ZEISS Microscopy Solutions Center, Florida Atlantic University’s John. D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, and The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. Along with being leaders in their sector, they have fostered or spun off scores of innovations and life science startups.
The result is a leading economic engine. The health care and life science sector, from research centers to hospitals, lists more than 600 companies and is the county’s leading employer, with nearly 100,000 people. It’s among the top three in the county for economic impact, with $7.42 billion.
None of this would be possible without the help of community leaders with a vision. This includes the BDB’s Life Science Advisory Council members, as well as board members who have served many years on the BDB’s Board. In this issue, we recognize and thank outgoing members of the board: Mark Bellissimo – Wellington Lifestyle Partners; Richard Bernstein – Bernstein & Associates; Marty Cass – BDO; Pepe Fanjul, Jr. – Florida Crystals; Bobby D’Angelo – Compson Associates; Brendan Lynch – Plastridge Insurance; Neil Merin – NAI/Merin Hunter Codman; and Carey O’Donnell – Native Intelligence. Their shared vision and commitment has helped Palm Beach County thrive.
They’ve also helped the BDB succeed in our mission. This summer, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announced that the BDB was again recognized as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
Thank you to our board members, past and current, our community leaders, and the employers who keep Palm Beach County on the leading edge of innovation.
Kelly Smallridge President and CEO
By the Numbers:
n 5,840 health care companies
n 625 life science companies
n Nearly 100,000 employed in the health care / life science sectors
Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc. 310 Evernia Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561.835.1008 | bdb.org
Kelly Smallridge President & CEO 561.835.1008 Ext. 4121 ksmallridge@bdb.org
Lisa Anderson Vice President – Private Funding 561.835.1008 Ext. 4110 landerson@bdb.org
Kristen Boyd Liberman Vice President – Marketing & Media Relations 561.835.1008 Ext. 4106 kliberman@bdb.org
Tim Dougher Vice President – Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion 561.835.1008 Ext. 4131 tdougher@bdb.org
Shawn Rowan Vice President – Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion 561.835.1008 Ext. 4108 srowan@bdb.org
ON THE COVER:
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, The Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, and The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
PUBLISHED BY
Passport Publications | passport media group 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1550 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD of Palm Beach County (BDB) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional members of our Board of Directors who are concluding their service. Your extraordinary dedication and impactful contributions have been pivotal to the growth and prosperity of our county. We are profoundly appreciative of your tireless efforts and remarkable leadership over the last 10 years.
Our deepest thanks to the following distinguished individuals:
George Elmore & Marti La Tour
Richard S. Bernstein & Associates
Wellington Lifestyle Partners
Brendan Lynch Plastridge Insurance
Pepe Fanjul, Jr. Florida Crystals
Trials and Exploration
Clinical Trials in Motion Jupiter Innovation Center
LIFE SCIENCE OCCURS in the R&D lab and at the bedside. Hospital networks across Palm Beach County are conducting clinical trials exploring the latest innovations in groundbreaking care. Below are a few of their ongoing studies that serve the area’s diverse population.
n Baptist Health South Florida is conducting dozens of trials in the areas of oncology, neurosciences, orthopedics, and cardiology, stated Dr. Scott Lipkin, vice president and chief research officer. A short list includes Orthopedics: A study examining care regimens for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis; a trial comparing pain management for unilateral total knee replacement; and safety and performance of a product for wrist repair. Heart & Vascular: Examination of care regimens for aortic aneurysms. Neuroscience: The study of stent systems; nerve stimulation for rheumatoid arthritis; and procedures related to acute ischemic strokes.
n The Palm Beach Health Network (PBHN) and its six hospitals and care centers perform observational and clinical trials and medical records research in the areas of cardiovascular care; HIV/sickle cell; neurology/strokes; and outpatient oncology. The studies “help identify diseases earlier, and develop better treatment options for our patients,” said Maggie Gill, Group President for Tenet Healthcare, the parent company of Palm Beach Health Network. n H CA Florida JFK Hospital trials date back to 1994, and today include trials in cardiac and vascular, neuroscience, musculoskeletal and oncology specialties. “By conducting groundbreaking studies right here, we’ve been able to offer our patients access to the latest medical innovations and treatments,” said CEO Ken West. “Research offers hope for better outcomes and reinforces our hospital’s role as a leader in medical excellence, dedicated to providing the highest standard of care to the communities we serve.”
NEAR THE PALM BEACH Research Campus, home to the leading names in the region’s life science sector, is another hub of emerging solutions. The 555 Heritage Innovation Center houses a handful of startups, spinoffs and other life-science firms changing the region. Tenants include Expansion Therapeutics, Dianexus Medical Laboratories, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, and Ascension Biologics, which researches and develops advanced regenerative equine therapies, among other life science and professional service companies. Located at 555 Heritage Drive, in Jupiter, this 45,000-square-foot life science-focused property recently underwent a significant modernization to suit its unique tenant base. It includes a backup generator, common conference rooms, and some shared equipment, such as autoclaves, deionized water, and other apparatus too costly for cost-conscious researchers, said Peter Reed, with Commercial Florida Realty Services, the management and leasing partner for owner JIC Equities LLC. “We’re a solid, ready-to-go lab alternative.”
About the Tenants:
n E xpansion Therapeutics: a drug discovery and development company pursuing the vast potential of small molecule medicines for RNA-mediated diseases.
n Dianexus Medical Laboratories: a physician-owned and -managed high-complexity CLIA and COLA medical laboratory.
n Ascension Biologics: a range of skin substitute products that align with the highest standards of medical excellence.
n Ligand Pharmaceuticals: a biopharmaceutical company that invests in the groundbreaking medicines of today and tomorrow, as well as funds the clinical development and commercialization of high-value programs that can improve and extend lives around the world.
JFK’s Dr. Robert Fishel with the clinical trial team
Graduate student Jessica Bush, research associate Haruo Aikawa, PhD, and Chemistry Professor Matthew Disney, PhD
Florida Atlantic University’s Residency / Doctorate Program
medical careers, including 46 in 2023 alone. Those matched into subspeciality fellowships included:
n Internal medicine: 8 residents
n General surgery: 5 residents
n Emergency medicine: 2 residents
n Cardiovascular disease: 1 resident
Under Interim Dean and Designated Institutional Official Dr. Curtis L. Whitehair, the program works with the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, as well as the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, for psychiatry residents. Another milestone: The approval of the new ACGME FAU Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship. The school is exploring additional fellowships and potential new residency programs. Together, these fellows and residents tackle some of society’s biggest challenges, such as climate change, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.
Postdoctoral fellows are a crucial part of the nation’s research workforce. During the transitional period between earning a doctorate degree and obtaining full-time professional experience in academia, government, or industry, “post-docs” work alongside leading researchers and contribute to their field’s body of knowledge.
As one of the fastest-growing research universities in the nation, “Florida Atlantic is committed to building and growing a supportive program for postdoctoral scholars where they can collaborate with world-renowned researchers to help change the future,” said Gregg Fields, PhD, FAU Interim Vice President for Research.
Residency Programs
n Internal Medicine
n Emergency Medicine
n Psychiatry
Fellowship Programs
n Cardiovascular Disease
n Geriatric Medicine
n Pulmonary
ZEISS: A Vision of Innovation
n Neurology
n General Surgery
n Disease and Critical Care
n Medicine, Hospice and Palliative
n Medicine, Vascular Surgery
The ZEISS Microscopy Solutions Center, located in the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, established as part of the Jupiter Biodiscovery and Innovation Hub, provides advanced training and development of specialized microscopy work flows for scientists to accelerate their research. The location leverages exploratory research by providing access to the latest microscopy and image analysis solutions from ZEISS. The center also will serve as an incubator where ideas are nurtured and supported until they eventually bloom into solutions that benefit the life science research community. ZEISS has plans to partner and collaborate with the life science community for years to come, further making this area known as a hub for the sector.
Florida Atlantic University
ACROSS THE COUNTY , health care providers are expanding their presence to serve a growing region. The result is a network of essential health care providers with a mutual mission of elevating community care, said Darcy J. Davis, President and CEO of the Health Care District, which partners with public and private health care providers across the county to expand access to quality care.
NYU Langone:
NYU Langone will open the Julia Koch Family Ambulatory Care Center in 2026, thanks to a $75 million gift by the Julia Koch Family Foundation™. The eight-story facility will have space for 50 physicians and serve 150,000 patient visits annually. The new site, to be located at 324 Datura Street, will offer 77,000 square feet of clinical space, including ondemand specialty care in downtown West Palm Beach in such areas as internal medicine and primary care, oncology, and pain management.
Jupiter Medical Center:
Jupiter Medical Center’s new Johnny and Terry Gray Surgical Institute is a 90,000square-foot facility featuring 16 smart operating rooms to accommodate complex surgeries and two hybrid operating suites.
Its Avenir Neighborhood Hospital and Ambulatory Center will be a two-story, 53,000-square-foot hospital planned for the 3,900-home community in Palm Beach Gardens. It will serve more than 40,000 western Palm Beach County residents with 24hour emergency services, inpatient beds, operating rooms, a diagnostic laboratory, and imaging services. A new new patient tower on its Main Campus is a $10 million project that will feature 135,016 square feet across five stories, with 92 beds, a pharmacy, and administration offices.
Jupiter Medical Center
Alan B. Miller Medical Center
NYU Langone
UHS:
UHS officially broke ground on the new Alan B. Miller Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens. The seven-story building, with 365,000 square feet, will offer 150 beds. The complex will have a four-story medical office building totaling 80,000 square feet and a helistop to be completed in 2025.
HCA Florida Healthcare:
HCA Florida Palms West Hospital will build a new $80 million patient tower on its Loxahatchee campus. It will be home to the Surgical Suites at Palms West Hospital, a 36bed post-surgical unit for customized care for patients who undergo robotic surgery by expert surgeons as part of the hospital’s Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence.
Baptist Health:
Baptist Health has expanded its physician practices, primary care, urgent care and imaging locations, and is working on plans for several freestanding emergency rooms.
Bethesda Hospital East has plans underway for a comprehensive enhancement of its emergency department. Bethesda recently invested $52 million in its central energy plant to improve efficiency and the hospital’s resilience during hurricanes and other emergencies. The hospital is also upgrading its cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology and robotics programs.
Boca Raton Regional Hospital earlier this year opened a Medical Arts Pavilion for outpatient surgery and expanded orthopedic and other clinical services. The hospital recently topped off its nine-story Patient Tower, which will have new operating rooms and all-private patient rooms. An energy plant will soon open to improve efficiency and resilience. Improvements have been made to the Marcus Neuroscience Institute, Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute, and Lynn Cancer Institute, including a new proton center.
The new nine-story Gloria Drummond Patient Tower at Boca Raton Regional Hospital will welcome patients in an inviting new lobby with first-floor access to retail, dining, a conference & education center, a sanctuary and other conveniences for visitors.
Bethesda Hospital East
Boca Raton Regional Hospital
Palms West Hospital tower rendering
Groundbreaking Life Science
The Foundations of Regional Exploration
Life Science Hidden Gems on the Move
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Health Care & Life Sciences
Look Who’s Here:
Baptist Health South Florida
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital East
Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital West
Baptist Health Boca Raton
Regional Hospital
Cleveland Clinic
Delray Medical Center
Florida Blue
HEALTH CARE
BY THE NUMBERS:
n 5,840 companies
n 67,891 jobs
n $88,464 average salary
n $7.3 Billion Total Gross Regional Product
Good Samaritan Medical Center
HCA Florida Healthcare JFK Hospital
HCA Florida Palms West Hospital
HCA Florida JFK North Hospital
HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery
Instrumentum
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Jupiter Medical Center Lakeside Medical Center
MPLT Healthcare
NYU Langone Health
Palm Beach Children’s Hospital
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center
Tampa General Hospital
Wellington Regional Medical Center
West Boca Medical Center
Chief Economist Dr. Jerry Parrish studied Palm Beach County’s top economic sectors, and life sciences and health care topped the list for jobs, employing nearly 100,000 people.
Abberior
AcCellerated Biologics
Accelus
Access Hope
ACCOY Pharmaceuticals
ADMA Biologics
Akron Bio
Algafeed
Alphazyme
Anton Paar
ArchieMD, Inc
Artivion
Atlas Spine, Inc.
Aventusoft
Beacon Pharmaceutical
BioCurity Pharmaceuticals
BioFlorida
Biosculpture Technology, Inc
BioTools Inc
BodylogicMD
Breckenridge Pharma
Captiva Spine
Capzer Pharmaceuticals
Charleston Laboratories
ChemPep
Clarity Diagnostics
CSL Plasma
Cytonics
LIFE SCIENCES
BY THE NUMBERS:
n 625 companies
n 7,790 jobs
n $117,836 average salary
n $1.6 Billion Total Gross Regional Product
Deluge Biotechnologies
DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson
MedTech
Digicare Biomedical Technology
Elmridge Protection
Emmune
Everglades Laboratories
Exuma Biotechnology
Expansion Therapeutics
Eyetech Ltd
FITTEAM
Flourish Research
FloSpine LLC
Gift of Life Marrow Registry
GummyWorks
Jupiter Environmental Laboratories
Jupiter Neurosciences
KD Pharma Group
LAP
LGM Pharma
Max Planck Florida Institute for
Neuroscience
MB Clinical Research
Medicinal Technologies
MDNA Life Sciences, Inc.
ModMed
Myosin Therapeutics
National Dentex Labs
NutraMedix
Octapharma Plasma
Ovation Diagnostics
Palm Beach Research Center
Palm Beach Naturals
Perry Baromedical
PharmaLogic
Positive ID Corporation
Precision Esthetics
Procaps Group
Protech Medical
ReachLink
Regenerative Medicine Foundation
Sensus Healthcare
SurGenTec
TherapeuticsMD
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Twinlab
The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology
Vetio Animal Health
Vova Ida Therapeutics
Xcovery
ZimVie Dental
New Website to Market Education in Palm Beach County
THE BDB LAUNCHED a new website dedicated to education throughout Palm Beach County. Our enhanced site features:
n A unique tool to calculate commute times from any school in the county to your office or home.
n Comprehensive search options for public, private, charter schools, colleges, universities, special needs programs, preschools, and more.
n Up-to-date news from schools across the county.
n Virtual tours with video previews for convenient browsing.
n Complimentary services for new executives relocating to the area, connecting them with educational resources for their children, workforce, or partnerships. Visit PBCedu.org
Budget-Friendly Living Guide in Palm Beach County
INTRODUCING YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE to living in Palm Beach County! Whether you’re a current resident or a new addition to the workforce, this resource is designed to help you settle in seamlessly. It features:
n Affordable and budget-friendly apartments and housing options tailored for the workforce.
n Essential resources including local hospitals, social venues, schools, and more, all categorized by region.
News + Events
BDB Launches New Website Marketing Palm Beach County
THE BDB has launched a newly enhanced website, designed to showcase Palm Beach County as a premier global business destination. Our upgraded site offers:
n Comprehensive information to help executives make informed relocation decisions.
n Support for local businesses in key industries looking to expand.
n The latest data and insights on Palm Beach County's dynamic growth.
n Current news and updates, including recent corporate announcements.
n Exclusive features for BDB members, including streamlined navigation for accessing events and managing your membership account.
Explore our new site and see why Palm Beach County is the place to be for business success! Visit BDB.org
Welcome to the Warmer Side of Care.
There are many sides of care at Baptist Health. And each one stays true to our values. Bringing humanity, warmth and understanding to every person that comes through our doors. Which is why we’re here to stand by you, through all of life’s moments. Welcome to Baptist Health.
Business Solutions Connecting Delray Beach’s Top Jobs to Eager Talent
dealerships source much-needed talent.
“Jobs at car dealerships are tech jobs now,” said Rob Evans, the economic development manager at the
residents,” said Michael Corbit, vice president of career development. “This type of project truly helps employers, the area workforce, and our greater community.”
Automotive Industry Career Fair held at Old School Square Vintage Gym
GUARDIAN HAWK SECURITY needed a young, highly skilled technician to fill its growing ranks. Pierre Francois wanted to elevate his job skills in the low-voltage electrical industry. An apprenticeship could be the answer to train the right professional.
So R.J. “Rick” Seymour, COO with Guardian Hawk Security, decided to approach CareerSource. He knew the organization from a decade ago, turning to the workforce development team to help find and develop his teams. So he called on Charles Duval with CareerSource to inquire about on-the-job training grants for a low-voltage apprenticeship program.
The way Seymour saw the two-year program, Francois, who had been hired as a helper on lowvoltage fire alarm, video surveillance, access control and security systems, could learn valuable skills. He would have six months of his two years of training paid for, and emerge a higher-paid and even more valuable member of the Guardian Hawk team.
Having just completed his first year, Francois has learned about workplace safety, proper use of hand tools, working around construction sites, and the theoretical underpinnings of electrical lowvoltage systems. Future training will explore practical applications and the design and installation of systems, followed by troubleshooting of existing systems. Francois’ commitment includes full-time work and school two nights a week.
“I have tremendous respect for Francois. That shows dedication to develop personally and to develop his craft,” said Seymour, who is preparing another employee to enter the program. “The employee actually sees paycheck growth. It incentivizes people to see there’s a plan in place for them to grow, financially and professionally.”
“At the end of two years, you have a worker [whom] you can literally give their own truck, and they’re prepared to generate revenue for you in any capacity,” Seymour said.
“It means a lot that they were interested in investing in my learning the trade,” Francois said. “They saw something in me and helped bring it out of me.”
CareerSource Palm Beach County’s full-service centers are staffed with career consultants who are dedicated to serving first-time, experienced and professional job seekers. The services include career consulting, computers for job searches, internet access to our statewide jobs database Employ Florida, job search and placement services, workshops, training opportunities, work assessments and more. To learn more, go to careersourcepbc.com.
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