By Christine Davis
Boca Raton Regional Hospital has officially merged with Baptist Health South Florida.
The final merger was announced on July 1, more than a year after Boca Regional began discussions with Baptist in hopes of elevating the hospital’s position as an academic referral center in South Florida.
It was the final step in growing up for a beloved community hospital born out of tragedy in 1967. The poisoning deaths of two young children became the impetus for its funding. The town had about 10,000 residents at that time and a devoted group of volunteers with a mission.
The new partnership ensures both not-for-profit organizations will continue to meet their mutual missions and commitments to elevate health care in an area that reaches across four counties.
“Our organizations share the same calling to improve the health and well-being of individuals and deliver compassionate health care to our patients at the highest standards of excellence and safety,” said Brian E. Keeley, Baptist Health president and CEO.
“We foresee an exciting future at Boca Regional Hospital that will cement its title as the preeminent health care provider in the community.”
Boca Raton Regional Hospital has earned Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
“Our expertise in treating stroke through this minimally invasive, catheter-based technique helps improve patient outcomes,” said Brian Snelling, MD, director of cerebrovascular neurosurgery and stroke at Marcus Neuroscience Institute. “This capability also significantly adds to the spectrum of advanced stroke-related services offered at the institute.”
Quantum Foundation recently funded $1.1 million to Palm Beach County programs aimed at access to health-related resources. Of the 12 honorees, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches received $75,000 for its Meals for Veterans program. It supports lower-income, homebound, isolated veterans aged 75 to 95.
In addition, Genesis Community Health Center, with sites in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton, received $100,000 to provide access to health resources and a medical home for underinsured and uninsured people in southern Palm Beach County.
Also, South Tech Skills Academy received $35,000 to serve South Palm Beach County by providing hands-on training in its practical nursing and medtech program for a traditionally underserved student population.
Florida is home to approximately 1.5 million military veterans and has the third-largest veteran population in the United States. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing have received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to form a primary care workforce of practicing registered nurses who understand the needs of military veterans.
The project, “Caring-based Academic Partnerships in Excellence: Veteran RNs in Primary Care,” is designed to educate and provide clinical training for bachelor of science in nursing students in primary care and to provide professional development to practicing registered nurses in primary care.
Sallie James contributed to this story.
Send health news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com
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