As the global community unites in a race for a cure to Breast Cancer, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center asks – Do you know a remarkable woman who has courageously battled Breast Cancer?

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness month, we would like to honor inspirational women of courage who have fought and/or continue to fight against Breast Cancer. As part of our “Amazing Grace” online competition, each Friday in October, we will choose a woman who exemplifies courage, survival, strength, and grace. Her inspirational story will be posted on the Aventura Hospital external website, so everyone can read about her!

Your job is to send in nominations! Share your story in 200 words or less, and attach a photo if you can. We want to know what challenges the women faced and how they overcame obstacles.

Send all nominations to Elizabeth.Calzadilla-Fiallo@hcahealthcare.com and use the subject line “Amazing Grace.” The deadline is Friday, September 24.

All of our winners will be honored at a recognition ceremony at our “Women’s Night Out” event scheduled for October 28 at Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Details

Essay: 200 words or less

Photo: attach if possible and provide any necessary caption or photo credit

Deadline: Friday, September 24

Contact: Elizabeth.Calzadilla-Fiallo@hcahealthcare.com; subject line “Amazing Grace”

OK, so maybe you hate the very sight of needles. But a fear of needles shouldn’t keep you from donating blood! That little pinch is quick, and it’s a small price to pay for the incredible feeling you’ll have after helping to save lives.

Often, if you want to give to a good cause, you have to write a check or put in hours of time. When you’re a blood donor, your gift is free! And it usually takes only 30 minutes from start to finish.

Here are some interesting facts about giving blood:

• Each donation is about 1 pint, but that isn’t too much to spare. You have 10 to 12 pints in your body.

• More than 38,000 donations of blood are needed in the United States every day.

• There is no substitute for blood. Nothing manufactured can be used for a blood transfusion, and real blood comes only from real people.

• For whole blood, you can donate every 56 days, which is about 6 times a year.

Who Can Donate?

It may be hard to believe, but less than half of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood. Some medical conditions preclude people from donating, so if you can be a donor, you should give it a try. Here are some basic requirements:

• Be in good health. People who have had hepatitis, some cancers, and other diseases are not allowed. Also drug users, pregnant women, recent surgery patients, and people with infections are asked not to donate.

• Be at least 17 years old, or be at least 16 and have your parent’s consent.

• Weigh at least 110 pounds.

Before you donate, a technician will give you a mini-physical. During this part, you’ll answer questions about your medical history, and you’ll have your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin checked. This is a great way for you to monitor your health, too.

Other Things to Know

Before you come to the center or blood drive, remember these suggestions:

• Drink lots of water.
• Eat a healthy diet. Try to avoid fatty foods on the days before your donation, but eat iron-rich foods such as spinach, beans, whole wheat bread, and lean meat.
• Wear something comfortable. You’ll need to roll up one sleeve for the donation.
• Make a list of any medications you’re taking.
• Bring your ID.

The donation itself takes only about 8 to 10 minutes. After the needle is put in your arm, you can sit back and relax. During this time, you’ll be in a comfortable chair, where you can read, talk to the people around you, or maybe watch TV.

After your donation, you should take it easy for a while.

• Eat a good meal soon after and drink more water.
• Don’t do any heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
• Refrain from smoking for an hour (and if you don’t smoke, don’t start!).

If you’re still deciding if blood donation is right for you, consider the people who might need your blood. Maybe it’s a firefighter who’s been hurt during a rescue or a mom who’s been in a car accident. It could even be a family member for whom you’re specifically giving blood before a surgery. Think of the lives you could impact with one donation!

To learn more about giving blood, contact Aventura Hospital. The hospital will be holding two blood drives in the coming months:

• Monday, September 27, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Monday, October 25, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

For details, contact Gregg Blair, Director of Laboratory Services, at 305-682-7351.

SOURCES
American Red Cross
Florida’s Blood Centers

It isn’t news that you want to hear. But if you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, take time to gather all the information that you can. Here are some basics you need to know.

How Is a Brain Tumor Diagnosed?

If you complain of certain symptoms, such as frequent headaches, nausea, imbalance, or seizures, a doctor may suspect a brain tumor and subsequently run a variety of tests. These tests can include an MRI, a CT scan, an angiogram, or a spinal tap. If the doctor discovers a tumor and recommends treatment, make sure you get a second opinion.

This can be a very stressful and confusing time, so for every doctor visit, make a list of questions before you go. Bring a friend or family member with you, since you may not remember everything the doctor says, and try to take notes, too.

What Kinds of Tumors Are There?

In general, tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign means there is no cancer present. The tumor can be removed and seldom grows back. Malignant means there is cancer, and the tumor can be life-threatening. Primary tumors are those that originate within the brain, while secondary tumors have spread to the brain from other parts of the body.

How Are Brain Tumors Treated?

Once you have been diagnosed, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the various options for treatment. Treatment will vary based on your age, your general health, and the type, location, and size of the tumor. Usually, you will be recommended for surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or some combination.

• Surgery: Surgery is the most common type of treatment for a brain tumor. Before the procedure, your head will be shaved. Then, while you are under general anesthesia, a surgeon will make an incision in your scalp and remove one section of bone. Then the surgeon will operate to remove the tumor. Finally, he will replace the piece of bone and close the incision. After the surgery, you will probably spend several days in the hospital.
• Radiation: During radiation therapy, a machine pinpoints the affected area in your brain and sends high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation can be used alone or after surgery to kill any cancer cells that were left behind. Each treatment lasts just a few minutes and usually takes place in a clinic setting.
• Chemotherapy: This treatment involves using drugs, delivered by IV or in pill form, to kill cancer cells. Most often, chemotherapy is given in cycles, allowing you to recover after each treatment. Chemotherapy takes place in a hospital or doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure, and it can be used alone or in conjunction with surgery or radiation.

What Are the Side Effects?

Depending on what treatment you have, the side effects will vary. After surgery, you may have headaches. If the surgery damages the normal brain tissue, you could experience changes in personality, feel imbalanced, or have trouble talking. Usually, these symptoms will get better over time.

After having radiation or chemotherapy, you will probably lose your hair, but it should grow back after several months. You may also feel week and nauseated. In some cases, patients will have edema (swelling) of the brain and experience seizures. If you have either of those reactions, contact your doctor right away.

What Is the Prognosis?

How you recover from a brain tumor depends on many factors: the type of tumor, the type of treatment, and your general health. Undergoing physical therapy can help you improve your mobility and balance after treatment. And speech therapists can also help you with communication issues.

After treatment, it is important to keep in touch with your doctor and agree to a schedule of follow-up appointments. Your doctor will probably use x-rays and other tests to monitor the affected areas and check for any recurrence of cancer.

Be sure to accept all the support that is offered to you. Social workers can help coordinate care and explore the emotions you’re having. Joining a recovery group, where you meet other patients and share your stories, will help you know you’re not alone.

To learn more about brain tumors and how they can be treated, contact Aventura Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7692. We’re here to answer all your questions.

SOURCES
National Brain Tumor Society
MedicineNet.com

No one wants to spend their days feeling tired and their nights awake. Sleep disorders can rob our bodies of necessary rest and affect our lives in negative ways. Luckily, there are treatment options available for the various sleep disorders that plague millions of people. Each disorder is different and as a result is treated differently. One behavior pattern however, is useful in treating nearly all sleep disorders.

Good Sleep Hygiene

Just like we must maintain some habits with our personal hygiene to keep our bodies clean, we need to follow some rules to make sure we sleep well.

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. Having a schedule will help your body regulate itself.
• Set your bedroom up for sleep. Set the temperature so it is cool yet comfortable for you and dim the lights to darken your bedroom.
• Turn off televisions and radios, they make it harder to go to sleep and will wake you up during the night.
• DO NOT have any caffeine for at least four hours before bedtime. This will only help to keep you awake.

Once you understand that sleeping takes preparation, especially if you have a sleep disorder, then you can think about treatments that are available. There are multiple sleep disorders and treatments but it’s a good idea to know about some of the most prevalent.

Insomnia- A disorder where it is very difficult to fall asleep, insomnia is treated with medication and behavioral therapy.

· Drug Therapy- Your doctor will decide on medication but may also suggest other interventions.

• Stimulus Control- This treatment focuses on using your bed only for sleep. Patients learn not lie in bed to read or watch television; basically the body needs to think about being in bed and sleeping as being the same thing. Also, do not take naps during the day or stay in bed if you can’t sleep after 20 minutes. If you really can’t sleep, get up and go to a different room for a while and try again later.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation- This option aims to relax the body physically. Patients learn to divide their muscles into groups (say feet, legs, abdominals, arms and shoulders). One by one the patient goes through each group, tensing the muscles for 30 seconds then relaxing them. This will loosen up the whole body making the patient more comfortable and ready for bed.

Sleep Apnea- A disorder where you stop breathing periodically during the night, sleep apnea can cause snoring and other physical side effects.

• Drug Therapy- Sometimes doctors prescribe medications that open up your nasal passageways, making it easier to breath.

• Surgery- In some cases, physicians recommend surgery to widen the nasal passageways. Once this is done it is easier to breathe and reduces, if not eliminates, sleep apnea.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine - This device hooks up to your nose and makes sure that your body gets oxygen all night. Some even have a chin strap to keep your mouth shut during the night so your nose and mouth aren’t competing.

Narcolepsy- This disorder that causes people to fall asleep suddenly and leaves them tired throughout the day.

• Drug Therapy- Medication often includes a combination of stimulants and anti-depressants as prescribed by your doctor.

• Sleep Scheduling- A sleep schedule is often helpful. Sleep a full 8 hours at night but take 2 naps during the day. Take your naps at the same times every day. A quick nap before lunch and another before dinner is one suggested schedule.

A trained physician will assess your situation and prescribe treatment. In many cases, you will be prescribed one of the options mentioned here. If you have any questions visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7692.

SOURCES
http://www.aventurahospital.com/
http://www.aventurahospital.com/CustomPage.asp?guidcustomcontentid=392EE578-B120-11D3-AD18-00508B91A0DD
http://www.healthcentral.com/sleep-disorders/insomnia-introduction-000027_7-145.html
http://www.healthcentral.com/sleep-disorders/insomnia-introduction-000027_7-145_2.html
http://www.healthcentral.com/sleep-disorders/understanding-narcolepsy-000098_6-145.html
http://www.sleepdisorderandinsomnia.com/
http://www.sleepdisordersguide.com/sleep-hygiene.html

If you’re like most people, cancer has touched your life in some way. Perhaps you’ve been treated for it or you’ve helped care for a loved one who has. You know how important it is to have experts to rely on.

With that in mind, we’re pleased to introduce two new radiation oncologists to the Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Janet L. Sperry, MD

Dr. Sperry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the battle against cancer. She earned her medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Internship and also began her Residency training at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital. Then she completed her Residency at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

In addition, Dr. Sperry is an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and retains the following academic appointments: Head and Neck Cancer Site Disease Group; Gynecological Cancer Site Disease Group; Bone Marrow Transplant Program; and Pediatric Oncology Group for Holtz Children’s Hospital and Miami Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Sperry will present at several Breast Cancer Awareness events, both at the hospital and throughout the community, during the month of October.

“I am honored to be a part of such a vibrant and committed Hospital and Cancer Program,” Dr. Sperry commented, “I feel very fortunate to have this incredible opportunity to treat those affected by cancer in our community with the most advanced technology and resources and the most caring and dedicated cancer care team.”

Carlos Lopez, MD

Dr. Carlos Lopez will join the Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center as Medical Director at the end of August. He earned his degree from the New York University School of Medicine after graduating magna cum laude in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. He completed a General Surgery Internship at the University of Chicago and then completed his Radiation Oncology Residency at the University of Michigan where he was selected to serve as Chief Resident.

During his Radiation Oncology Residency, he received an award in the Resident Research Competition from the Michigan Society of Therapeutic Radiologists and Oncologists, a Radiation Research Society Student-in-Training Travel Award, and an ASTRO Travel Grant for the Health Services/Outcomes Research in Oncology.

Dr. Lopez is trained in the following forms of radiation therapy: 3D CRT, IMRT, IGRT, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, LINAC-based Radiosurgery, high-dose-rate Brachytherapy, low-dose-rate Brachytherapy and SBRT. Dr. Lopez is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Brachytherapy Society, the Radiological Society of North America, and the American Medical Association.

On Saturday, September 11, Dr. Lopez will present at a Prostate Cancer Awareness event, co-sponsored by Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center, to be held at the Hepburn Community Center in Hallandale Beach from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. For more information, call 954-457-1460.

To learn more about cancer care and how our physicians can help you, visit us online at Aventura Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Do you need some support in your everyday life? There are times when all of us need to accept the help of the people around us. If this is true for you right now, check out how the classes and events at Aventura Hospital can help improve your health and your life.

Quit Smoking Now

Are you struggling to kick the tobacco habit? It’s hard to do on your own, so we’re offering a six-week program to give you a hand. The process was developed by the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association, the state of Florida, and former smokers. You’ll learn about nicotine addiction and treatments to break it. And you’ll benefit from group support sessions as well as one-one-one counseling.

Each week, you’ll learn more about a variety of issues:

• why you smoke
• what triggers your cravings
• the best strategies for quitting
• how to handle withdrawal
• the health risks of tobacco
• how to prevent relapses
• the best ways to reward your success

This program is free and is available for you or anyone you know who is affected by tobacco. The group meets each Monday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. To learn more, call 1-305-597-3640 or e-mail SmokeFree@mdahec.org. This could be the first step in taking charge of your health.

Taking Care of Caregivers

We all know how demanding the role of caregiver can be. If you are caring for friend or relative who is sick, your days are long and exhausting. But who takes care of you?

To address this issue, we’re offering a workshop: “Who Cares for the Caregiver? Daily Tips for Successful Caregiving.” You’ll learn ways to tend to your own needs as well as to the needs of others. It’s important for you to stay healthy—both mentally and physically—if you want to keep your loved ones healthy, too.

Presented by Yulia Watters, MS, PhD (candidate), LMFT, the program will be held on Thursday, August 19, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. A light lunch will be served.

If you’d like to register, please call 1-888-256-7692. You can also join our free Caregivers Support Group, which meets the 4^th Monday of each month from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.

To learn more about these and other community events, contact Aventura Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-256-7692. Let us know how we can lend a hand.

While lots of folks have an occasional restless night, falling asleep and staying asleep is an ongoing battle for some people. If a lack of sleep persists over an extended period of time, it can cause serious problems, including impaired judgment, slower reflexes, irritability and mood swings and forgetfulness.

Eye-opening symptoms

Feeling fatigued and drowsy are just two indicators that you aren’t getting the rest you need. Here are some other signs:

• Your partner notices that you gasp, snore, or thrash around in your sleep.
• It takes you a half-hour or more to fall asleep every night.
• You wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.
• You doze off during the day at your desk and in meetings.
• In the evenings, your get unpleasant sensations in your legs while at rest.
• While driving, you lose track of how much time has gone by.
• Strong emotions like laughing, crying and anger cause muscle weakness.

Consulting a doctor

If you have tried making your bedroom a comfortable and cozy place to sleep and given up caffeine and eating late meals, and you’re still constantly tired, it’s probably time to seek medical advice.

Your physician may suggest a visit to a sleep disorders center, like the one at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, for a sleep study. The Sleep Disorders Center at AHMC has two suites outfitted with data collection and diagnostic equipment. Each room includes a queen-sized bed, TV and private bathing facilities.

The Sleep Disorders Center at Aventura is an open sleep lab, so any physician may refer a patient to the center if he or she feels the patient has a sleep disorder.

The sleep study process

Treating a sleep deficiency begins by asking the patient about sleep habits. Sleep partners, or parents in the case of young patients, may also provide information about the patient’s sleep history.

Typically, a patient reports to a sleep lab in the evening just before bedtime. Before retiring, electrodes are attached to his/her body to record their brain waves, eye movements and heart rate. Other monitors record airflow from the nose and mouth and breathing, while blood oxygen levels are measured via a finger clip.

All of these measurements are non-invasive. A technologist reviews the information relayed from the devices and observes the patient, who is being videotaped, while sleeping.

The next morning, the patient leaves the center, and the data is sent to a sleep specialist, who analyzes the findings. The specialist then prepares a report, which can take about a week to 10 days. The doctor who ordered the sleep study receives the report and shares it with the patient.

Depending on the results, the following treatments may be recommended:

• Supplements such as melatonin: This hormone, which helps trigger sleep, normally builds up in humans and is strongest around 9 p.m., then stays elevated for about 12 hours.
• Bright light therapy: People tend to be tired when it’s dark and awake when it’s light outside. For people whose internal clock is off, light therapy can help reset it.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy (CPAP)j: A CPAP machine produces air flow into a mask worn by the sleeper, pushing air down the nasal passages and throat to prevent breathing stoppage and snoring.

Steps to sleep

The staff of the Sleep Disorders Center at AHMC is available to help people with chronic sleep problems. (Please note that you must obtain a physician referral to undergo a sleep study here, as we cannot accept self-referrals.)

Most health plans cover sleep studies, but check with your insurance provider to verify this.

If you would like to learn more about sleep disorders, give us a call at (305) 682-7216. If you do not have a doctor and would like a referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-888-256-7692, or visit Aventura Hospital and Medical Center online.

It’s official: the United States is a nation of sleepyheads.

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control in 2008 revealed that 11.1% of adults told researchers that during the previous 30 days, they didn’t get enough sleep or rest on all 30 of those days. Furthermore, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have continuing problems falling asleep and staying asleep, a 2006 study conducted by the Institute of Medicine Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, found.

Nearly 30% of adults say that they get less than seven hours of sleep per night, the CDC reports. This puts them at an increased risk of injury or death; reduces their productivity on the job and makes them more vulnerable to mental and physical health disorders.

So if you consider a good night’s sleep to be a luxury, this is your wake-up call.

Barriers to restful sleep

The following are three common disorders that prevent or interrupt sleep, and one that causes the sufferer to have problems staying awake:

• Sleep apnea: This disorder is characterized by an obstruction of the airway in the throat that causes the person to snore and awaken frequently, gasping for air.
• Restless leg syndrome: This is a creepy-crawly sensation or aching feeling in the legs that often occurs at bedtime and is relieved by moving the legs or getting up and walking around.
• Insomnia: It’s an inability to fall asleep or to sleep through the night, or to wake up early in the morning and not be able to resume sleeping.
• Narcolepsy: Symptoms include uncontrollable daytime sleepiness and muscle weakness that may be triggered by surprise, anger or laughter.

Clues to help you snooze

Getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night is recommended for adults. Some ways you can improve your chances of getting the rest you need are:

• Make your bedroom a place you can relax in. You may want to read in bed before you go to sleep. Ensure the temperature is comfortable, and all light sources are turned off when you retire.
• Do not eat a big meal prior to bedtime. You could wake up with a bad case of heartburn.
• Stop drinking caffeinated beverages after mid-day.
• Go to sleep at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

The Sleep Disorders Center at AHMC can diagnose and treat a variety of sleep-related health conditions. To learn more about the center, call (305) 682-7216.

If you would like a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-888-256-7723, or visit Aventura Hospital and Medical Center online.

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is proud to announce the appointment of Steve Eberhart as Director of Materials Management.

Steve has twelve years of experience as a materials manager. Prior to joining Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Steve served as Director of Materials Management at the University of Miami Hospital.

“Steve is very kind and compassionate to all staff members. He is always willing to lend a helping hand,” said Heather Rohan, Chief Executive Officer of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. “We are very happy to welcome him to our Aventura family.”

Steve is a retired Naval Flight Officer who earned his MBA from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in Tallahassee.

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About Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is a 407 acute care medical/surgery facility providing award winning inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, medical, surgical, cardiovascular and cancer services to the communities of northeast Miami-Dade and southeast Broward counties since 1965. Always on the cutting-edge of healthcare technology, Aventura Hospital was the first in Dade County to install the da Vinci S HD Robot and the Elekta Synergy S. The Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is fully accredited as a Cycle II Chest Pain Center, and the Stroke Program was the first in Dade County to earn The Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification Program Gold Seal of Approval for healthcare quality. The 24-hour Emergency Room consistently maintains an average wait time of less than 10 minutes, and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab’s average STEMI time of less than 60 minutes fulfills the standards set forth by Miami-Dade County EMS. Staffed by more than 700 physicians representing over 50 specialties and 1,300 employees, the hospital meets the healthcare needs of its neighboring communities through continuous program enhancement and service excellence.

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is proud to announce the appointment of Lauranne Stevens as the new Director of Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Intervention. Lauranne comes to Aventura Hospital with more than 20 years of management and leadership experience, with a clinical specialty in Cardiovascular Medicine. Most recently, she served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Spring Branch Medical Center in Houston, Texas, an HCA facility.

“We are excited to welcome Lauranne Stevens to our Aventura family,” said Heather Rohan, Chief Executive Officer of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. “Our cardiovascular services have expanded considerably in the past year, with the achievement of Chest Pain Certification and the introduction of innovative treatment programs. Lauranne’s experience will be instrumental in helping us to further develop and enhance these important programs.”

Examples of new programs are the recent establishment of the new Structural and Adult Congenital Heart Intervention Program and the grand opening of the Cardiac and Vascular Catheterization Lab’s new Endovascular Lab this past December.

Lauranne completed her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration at Saint Leo University in San Antonio, Florida. She also earned her Certificate in Radiology Special Procedures Technology from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is a member of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals.

As Director of Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Intervention, Lauranne’s primary responsibilities will involve overseeing operations of the Cardiac and Vascular Catheterization Lab and ensuring that Aventura Hospital and Medical Center continues to fulfill its commitment to beating the national standard average STEMI time of 90 minutes and the Dade County average STEMI time of 60 minutes, established by Miami Dade Fire Rescue. STEMI time is defined as the time it took to reestablish blood flow for heart attack patients from the time the patient arrived at the hospital’s Emergency Room. For live updates of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center’s average STEMI time, visit www.aventurahospital.com.

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About Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is a 407 acute care medical/surgery facility providing award winning inpatient and outpatient diagnostic, medical, surgical, cardiovascular and cancer services to the communities of northeast Miami-Dade and southeast Broward counties since 1965. Always on the cutting-edge of healthcare technology, Aventura Hospital was the first in Dade County to install the da Vinci S HD Robot and the Elekta Synergy S. The Aventura Hospital and Medical Center is fully accredited as a Cycle II Chest Pain Center, and the Stroke Program was the first in Dade County to earn The Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification Program Gold Seal of Approval for healthcare quality. The 24-hour Emergency Room consistently maintains an average wait time of less than 10 minutes, and the Cardiac Catheterization Lab’s average STEMI time of less than 60 minutes fulfills the standards set forth by Miami-Dade County EMS. Staffed by more than 700 physicians representing over 50 specialties and 1,300 employees, the hospital meets the healthcare needs of its neighboring communities through continuous program enhancement and service excellence.