SPRING 2011 - Baptist Health South Florida

Here&There
Baptist Health benefits community
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
As one of the region’s largest employers with some 14,000 in its workforce, Baptist Health’s
impact on the area’s economic recovery is significant. It is not only the largest private
employer, it adds more than $3 billion to the local economy, according to a study by the
Washington Economics Group. In the past year, the not-for-profit healthcare organization
has:
• Provided $222 million in community benefits that included charity care, free primary
care at clinics and free or low-cost community education programs and health screenings.
• Given charity care to 16,000 uninsured patients, including free surgeries for children
with facial deformities and birth defects.
• Supported primary health clinics that gave free care to another 63,000 patients.
• Reached 145,000 community members, offering health screenings and talks by health
experts to help them attain and maintain better health.
• Poured more than $200 million into building the new West Kendall Baptist Hospital, due
to open in April. The project also resulted in nearly 3,000 additional construction and construction-related
jobs, and will add another 1,000 new jobs once the hospital is open.
“Baptist Health’s faith-based mission is to help our community stay healthy,” said CEO and
President Brian E. Keeley. “That mission has led us on a journey to promote wellness through
health education and screenings, as well as to give high-quality, compassionate care to all. We
will continue in those efforts by offering the latest technology, the most knowledgeable doctors
and nurses and beautiful facilities with an environment that promotes healing.”
⎯ Adrienne Sylver
Baptist Hospital’s Gold Anniversary
Ball, held around the lake at the
hospital last November, was a
golden success. More than 850
guests attended, raising $1.6 million
to support the hospital’s programs
and services. Bo Boulenger,
hospital CEO, is shown with Lourdes
Jofre-Collett, who chaired the
sellout event. “The ball was a tribute
to those who have contributed
to Baptist Hospital’s
growth and success throughout
the last 50 years,” Mr. Boulenger
said. “We look forward to the
next 50 years and continuing our
tradition of medical excellence.”
Among the many ways Baptist Health benefits the community is by giving free physicals
to children like Sofia Jacob,12, so they can participate in Special Olympics events.
Elvira Bhangu, R.N., made sure Sofia had a good time when she came for her exam.
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