Page 10 - Boca Exposure - September '20

Page 10, Boca Exposure
Boca Raton Regional Hospital, City’s Government

And Community Show Benefits Of Cooperation

In Fight Against COVID-19

By Kiki Bochi, Baptist Health Staff Writer satisfaction, cardiovascular care, oncology, women’s Raton, asking for donations
At the center of the region’s COVID-19 response, health and the neurosciences. at her children’s funeral.
Boca Raton Regional Hospital has played a pivotal role Building on a legacy of quality and commitment to Her steadfast commitment
in ensuring the safety of the community – caring for the the community, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is looking galvanized the community
sick, working at the forefront of local efforts to investigate ahead with a bigger and brighter vision of how it will and led to the opening of the
treatments, and speaking out about the importance of serve generations to come. An ambitious expansion hospital in 1967.
protective measures. At the same time, keeping in mind and renovation plan calls for a new patient tower, “Boca Regional was born
the wider healthcare picture, the hospital has upheld the enhancements in the Marcus Neuroscience Institute and out of tragedy and built on
highest quality care in cardiovascular care, oncology, the modernization of 285,000 square feet of existing determination,” says Mark
women’s health, orthopedics, emergency medicine and facilities. In addition, a new freestanding building will Larkin, president of Boca
the neurosciences. be constructed to serve as a medical arts pavilion with Raton Regional Hospital
While the pandemic has tested communities across doctors’ offices and an ambulatory surgery center. Foundation. “Through the
the country, Boca Raton Regional Hospital has been Already, $163 million in gifts have been committed to amazing generosity of our Mark Larkin (Boca
sustained by its deep commitment to the community, its a philanthropic campaign, named “Keeping the Promise” benefactors, coupled with Raton Regional Hospital
hard-working staff, strategic thinking and its partnership because it harkens to the late Gloria Drummond’s vow support from Baptist Health, Foundation President)
with Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest to improve the area’s access to medical care. She lost we will continue to drive
healthcare provider. two children in 1962 after they accidentally consumed innovation and excellence, ultimately improving the
“From the beginning poison, and was determined to establish a hospital in Boca region’s healthcare, wellbeing and quality of life.”
of this pandemic, we have
made all the necessary Dining And Travel:
plans and provisions so
that we could care for our
community,” says Boca Wondering When You’ll Travel Again?
Raton Regional Hospital
CEO Lincoln Mendez.
“This is a testament to our By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire. lining. The one that stands out is the opportunity to stay home
diligence as an organization Hungry Al has been offering his with my wife, and enjoy being together without the hamster-
to always be ready and expert perspective on current wheel of traveling.
resourceful, especially food trends, and guiding readers Another benefit is the enjoyment of doing our best to
when we’re needed most.” Lincoln Mendez (Boca Raton through local restaurant choices. harmoniously share our kitchen, having fun tackling new
As of this writing, the Regional Hospital CEO) Now, as owner of Concierge recipes, and making fresh pasta. Dusting off my KitchenAid
hospital has discharged Travel Consultants for the past mixer for desserts is paying huge dividends with my sweet
488 successfully treated COVID-19 patients. five years, Alan and his staff bring tooth and, unfortunately, my waistline.
Across the country, many communities worried that 25 years of personal travel experience to an exclusive clientele As for the travel business … I’ve had time to reevaluate my
their local hospitals would run out of beds and ventilators, looking for luxury travel planning. With the current mandated business model, redesign our marketing efforts, and reorganize
or that they wouldn’t have enough staff to care for the most slowdown in local restaurant activity, Alan is devoting some thousands of travel photos I have accumulated over three
critically ill. But that was never an issue here, Mendez of his columns to the subject of travel. decades of extensive travel.
says. The resources of Baptist Health helped ensure that That’s a good question, because the only trip I’m taking I’ve also researched and talked to my vast network of travel
employees and doctors had enough personal protective these days is to my mailbox! Then, to make this journey partners to answer the big $64,000 question: “When are we
equipment (PPE) to keep them and patients safe, that worse, I’m inundated with travel brochures telling me all the all going to travel again?”
technology was always available, that there were open wonderful places I could visit if only I could get there. Some Getting Past This Travel Hiatus. In the past six months,
beds among the system’s 10 hospitals and that there was of you know me as Hungry Al, but besides eating I love to my staff has spent the majority of their time handling the
support for a stressed workforce. travel, so much that I own a travel consulting business. aftermath of travel cancellations and refunds. Thankfully, we
Meanwhile, Boca Raton Regional Hospital took a When you think of it … I guess I’ve been furloughed from have succeeded in that task and our clients are appreciative
leadership role in local efforts to investigate convalescent both endeavors. of the concierge service we offer them.
plasma as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Antibody-rich With restaurants in partial lockdown, cruise ships Now, how do we address the situation of getting us all back
plasma, which is extracted from donated blood of people who permanently anchored, and planes not flying overseas, you to the one thing we love to do: Travel?
have survived the disease, is being studied to determine if it can can imagine all the time I have to reminisce what it was like
help others fight illness. The Food and Drug Administration is to travel. With any hurdles of life, I always look for the silver Dining and Travel on page 11
reviewing data on clinical trials coordinated by Mayo Clinic
and wants further randomized studies.
“As one of the first healthcare providers in Florida
to treat COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma
therapy, we are committed to finding innovative ways
to help those infected,” said Mendez, who is leading
Baptist Health’s system-wide task force on the therapy.
“By partnering with Mayo Clinic, we have the tools to
possibly treat non-critical patients with plasma in earlier
stages of the virus.” Do you know a family member,
For all Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s hard work, the
community has wrapped its arms around the hospital and friend or a neighbor in need of
embraced it in a warm, virtual hug. Hospital employees
have been greeted by signs and artwork expressing Home Health Care?
appreciation, caravans paying them tribute, and even a
noisy parade of emergency vehicles from Boca Raton Get 4 hours of free care
Fire Rescue, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Delray if you mention this ad
Beach Fire Rescue and Boca Raton Police. Meanwhile,
community groups and donors have given generously to Home Health Aides / Certified Nursing Assistants / Registered Nurses to assist you with:
support the hospital’s COVID-19 relief fund and have
contributed more than 370,000 masks and other PPE. • Personal Care • Companionship • Respite Care • Alzheimers & Dementia Care
Although the most recent spike in COVID-19 cases • Medication Management • Transportation • Meal Preparation
appears to be on the downturn, Mendez says, “Our • Light Housekeeping • Grocery Shopping • Post Surgery Care
work is far from over. We must continue to emphasize
the importance of wearing masks, social distancing and
holding each other accountable to ensure everyone is doing Complimentary In-Home Consultation
their part to contain this pandemic long-term.”
In looking ahead, he adds, “We are ready to Care provided in the comfort of your Home, Hospital, or Facility
continuously adapt and care for our community in light
of the ever-changing circumstances.” We accept All Long Term Care Insurance Policies and Private Pay – Affordable Rates
Boca Regional has evolved from a capable community
hospital into one of the preeminent medical centers in Family owned and operated. Boca Resident for 30+ years and Boca Pointe Members.
Florida, with world-class doctors and state-of-the-art
diagnostic and imaging capabilities. It recently was CALL TODAY: 561.740.8667
recognized as the highest ranked hospital in Palm Beach www.auracalshc.com
County for the sixth consecutive year by U.S. News Florida Licensed and Insured NR# 30211558, NR# 30211706
& World Report. The hospital is a leader in patient