New data reveals significant improvements to Florida’s health care workforce shortage
Turnover rates and job vacancies in Florida’s health care industry are starting to drop, according to the Florida Hospital Association (FHA). FHA officials released data this month that shows there has been progress in filling many nursing and associated health professional positions. Officials are starting to fill many of those positions across the Sunshine State after years of what was considered a health-care crisis. [Source: Florida Politics]
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» DeSantis pledges to invest more into growing Florida's nursing workforce
At a Florida children’s hospital, a bard brings comfort to tots and teens
Rachel Beverly is not a surgeon or a nurse. She doesn’t change bandages or dose medicine, but four days a week, amid the testing and prodding and whirring of machines, Beverly offers something sweet. She walks the sterile halls, a Mary Poppins of sorts, wheeling a crate filled with instruments and toys: a keyboard with rainbow keys, a handheld drum with a mallet attached, and — always — her guitar. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida pediatricians concerned and 'exhausted' as kids' vaccination rate drops
The vaccination rate of Florida kindergarteners has fallen to 90.6%, the lowest in over a decade, and concerned pediatricians say they are exhausted trying to combat anti-vax information – including from the state government. Nearly 91% may seem high, but for highly contagious diseases like measles, for example, public health experts recommend a vaccination rate of at least 95%. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
South Florida's medical research makes strides in discovery and treatment
South Florida has been a hotbed of innovation as of late, with local companies working on cutting-edge drugs and devices, and researchers affiliated with the region's universities making great strides to help advance health care outcomes. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Developer of community lagoons now plans to bring health care to residents
Metro Development Group has already turned heads with its unorthodox approach to community planning with amenities like huge lagoons, high-speed data and internet inside every home and solar streetlights. Now, the company wants to make health care a staple part of future communities. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FBI wants to hear from victims of St. Petersburg nonprofit that lost $100M in medical trust funds
Six months after a St. Petersburg nonprofit reported $100 million missing from trust funds that pay for medical care, the FBI is reaching out to victims as part of a ongoing criminal investigation. The agency recently sent letters to the families of trust fund holders informing them that they may be a victim of a crime and asking them to contact investigators.
› These are South Florida's health care, hospital projects in the pipeline
Many hospitals and health care providers are expanding in South Florida with new facilities. The population growth in the region has led to a need for more health care services. South Florida also has a large senior population, so that drives extra demand for care.
› A pilot program helps health workers at a Fort Myers nonprofit deal with burnout
SalusCare participated in a weekly pilot program to lessen the burnout and stress of its behavioral health are workers. The collaboration began when Stacey Cook, president and CEO of SalusCare, and Jamie Stuart, CEO of Coherent Community Coaching, worked together to find a way to retain health care employees who were burnt out and overworked.
› CEO of Memorial Healthcare System is out after a negative board review
The CEO of one of South Florida’s largest health care networks has resigned following a negative review from the hospital's board. Scott Wester, who was hired in 2022 under a three-year contract to run Memorial Healthcare System, resigned Wednesday, and the board voted unanimously to terminate his contract a day later.