Radiologic Technologist

Florida trend Health care. A weekly alert that contains in-depth news, information, insight and analysis on the most critical heath care related issues and topics facing Florida. | 7/21/2026 FIU/Nicklaus Children's Hospital physician-scientist brings groundbreaking heart surgery to Florida A highly specialized pediatric heart procedure available at only a handful of centers worldwide is now being performed in Florida, expanding treatment options for children born with some of the most complex heart defects. Dr. David Kalfa, professor and researcher at FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and chief of cardiovascular surgery and co-director of the Nicklaus Children's Heart Institute, recently led a surgical team that performed Florida's first staged cardiac septation procedure on a 1-year-old patient. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 40,000 infants each year. [Source: FIU News] Sarasota Memorial Hospital Will Open Third Branch, First North Port Hospital In response to rapid growth in North Port and Sarasota County, Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is expanding to a North Port hospital, projected to open in late 2028. The construction marks the third hospital SMH has built in its 100-year history, and it will also be the city's first acute-care hospital and its first high-rise. The $507 million, nine-story campus will open with 100 beds and include six surgical suites, two cardiac cath labs and two endoscopy labs, with shell space allowing expansion to 208 beds. [Source: SRQ Magazine] Amid rapid population growth, AdventHealth plans a new hospital in The Villages AdventHealth announced plans to build a new 80-bed hospital in The Villages, part of Legacy Place, a new 700-acre mixed-use development planned along Florida's Turnpike near County Road 470 and Central Parkway. The Wildwood-The Villages metropolitan area has been among the fastest-growing in the country, with population increasing by nearly 20% over the past four years. Construction on the hospital is expected to begin in 2027, with an opening projected in 2030. [Source: AdventHealth] Florida Department of Health Issues Public Health Advisory for Listeria The Florida Department of Health, in coordination with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, is investigating a listeriosis outbreak associated with a restaurant in Tampa. Five individuals are included in this outbreak, and four reported consuming food from China Buffet at 1245 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33612 between March 2026 and June 2026. Environmental sampling identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes at the restaurant. Listeria is most likely to cause serious illness in pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. [Source: Florida Department of Health] Florida reports 50 cases of 'hardy' cyclospora parasite A parasite causing extreme diarrhea has been documented in over 20 counties in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Health's Reportable Diseases Frequency Report, 50 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the state since May 1, but experts believe the actual number is higher due to underreporting. In Florida, Lee County has seen the most cases with nine, followed by Miami-Dade with six and Broward with five. Since May 1, the CDC has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases but is aware of more than 5,100 cases that require further analysis. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat] ALSO AROUND FLORIDA: "FIU researchers test video game as anxiety treatment for teens [FIU News] Researchers at FIU's Center for Children and Families are testing whether a therapeutic video game called Eco-Rescue can help teens practice attention-shifting skills and reduce anxiety. The project is a collaboration with researchers at the University of Geneva, and FIU is the first site in the U.S. to test the game in a clinical trial. "ZEO ScientifiX Strengthens South Florida's Growing Biotechnology Ecosystem [ACCESS Newswire] Operating from Nova Southeastern University's Center for Collaborative Research in Davie, ZEO ScientifiX is expanding physician education, scientific collaboration, and regenerative biologic innovation as Florida emerges as a national life sciences hub. "Leprosy is still spreading in Florida. These women want that to change [Herald-Tribune] Two Florida women are forming a support group to combat the stigma surrounding leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. The CDC reports that leprosy may be becoming endemic in Central Florida, which accounts for 81% of Florida cases and one-fifth of nationally reported cases. "Florida lab to pay $9.8 million to settle federal healthcare fraud allegations [CBS12] NeoGenomics Laboratories Inc., headquartered in Florida, has agreed to pay $9,813,260 to resolve allegations that it violated federal healthcare laws through improper compensation arrangements with healthcare providers and consultants, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital will open third branch, first North Port hospital. Business. SRQ DAILY MONDAY BUSINESS EDITION MONDAY JUL 20, 2026 | BY MALLORY EVANS Pictured: SMH-North Port is slated to be on a 32-acre site in the 4800 block of North Sumter Boulevard. Photo courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital. In response to rapid growth in North Port and Sarasota County, Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is expanding to a North Port hospital, projected to open in late 2028. "As the population in North Port grew, we knew we needed to build a hospital there," says Jeffrey Wesner, President of SMH-North Port. The construction marks the third hospital SMH has built in its 100-year history, and it will also be the city's first acute-care hospital. SMH released a virtual tour on June 22 of the hospital's layout. Wesner says the project will result in improved access to high-quality healthcare and a stronger local economy through job creation. "We're really excited about being the first hospital in North Port and bringing our five-star health care closer to the people in that market," he says. This $507 million hospital campus will be a nine-story building-the city's first high-rise-and will feature an adjacent three-story medical office building. SMH-North Port will offer emergency care, in-patient and surgical services, full imaging, intensive care and specialty care, including cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, neurology, urology and pulmonology. "The medical office building will bring much needed physician space to the community," Wesner says. "There are not a lot of physician offices in North Port." While the hospital will open with 100 beds, the top three floors have shell space that allows expansion to 208 beds. Wesner adds that already constructing shell space is something no other SMH has implemented on an initial build. The campus design has the capacity to increase to more than 400 beds in the future. It will also house six surgical suites, two cardiac cath labs and two endoscopy labs. Wesner says SMH-North Port will help recruit additional physicians to the community and will support greater regional growth. "By having a hospital in North Port, it will help the community grow significantly," he says. 941-917-9000, [email protected] Pictured: SMH-North Port is slated to be on a 32-acre site in the 4800 block of North Sumter Boulevard. Photo courtesy Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital welcomes 12 new resident physicians. Plus: Sarasota County Schools' "A" rating, Pinecraft's Carlisle Inn is recognized by Tripadvisor, and more. By Staff July 13, 2026 HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital welcomed 12 resident physicians during a white coat ceremony on Thursday, July 2. The new doctors, who have come from medical schools around the world to train in Sarasota, recited the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats. Shawn Yeager has been named Sarasota County's director of parks, recreation and natural resources. The Florida Department of Education has awarded Sarasota County Schools an overall "A" rating for the 2025-2026 school year. All distract-managed middle schools earned an "A" or "B" grade; Emma E. Booker Elementary School and Booker Middle School both earned "A" grades for the first time since Florida's school grading system was established; the district increased its overall accountability score by 32 points compared to the previous year; and 14 district-managed schools improved by at least one letter grade and no district-managed schools decreased a letter grade. The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has announced its board officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year: Dr. Jenne K. Britell and Drayton Saunders (co-chairs), Nanci Weaver (vice chair), Gerald L. Biller (treasurer) and Julie Harris (secretary). The other members of the board are Mark P. Famiglio, Ella Chase Hyland, Eileen A. Kamerick, David Koffman, Ling Markovitz, James Matras, Dr. John Maupin, Karl Newkirk, Steven G. Osgood, Barbara Ann Sellinger, James Travers, Monica Van Buskirk and Michael Wilson. Pinecraft's Carlisle Inn has been recognized as a 2026 Travelers' Choice Award winner, placing it in the top 10 percent of hotels in the world on Tripadvisor for the third year in a row. The American Heart Association has recognized Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's Sarasota and Venice campuses with multiple "Get With The Guidelines" awards for the hospitals' exceptional, evidence-based care to patients experiencing heart and stroke emergencies. The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, which operates Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), has appointed Joseph Centanni as its new chief of police. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has announced the promotion of Vinnie Mascarenhas to vice president of marketing and communications. Visit Sarasota County has been recognized by Smart Meetings as a 2026 Smart Stars Award winner in two categories: Best Waterfront CVB/DMO and Best Beach CVB/DMO. The Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota announced that Keren Shani-Lifrak is stepping down from her role as executive director. The organization will conduct a regional search to fill the role. Leadership Sarasota, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has announced the winners of its 2026 Outstanding Leadership Awards. They are Lucy Nicandri (Lifetime of Leadership Award), Fiona Farrell (Impact in Action Award), Kari Queen (Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award), David Verinder (Community Catalyst Award) and Heather Todd (Civic Champion Award). Big Waters Land Trust has added of Joel Johnson to its board of trustees. He joins trustees Daniel Vigne, chair; David Crawford, vice-chair; Joseph Lieberman, secretary; Patrick Pedonti, treasurer; and Mario Bernardis, Robert W. Brown, James Caldwell, Patrick Carlton, Carol Carter, Michael Knupp, Elizabeth Moore and and Eileen Scudder-Zimmermann. The Venice Symphony board of trustees recently re-elected Roger Effron as chair and welcomed new members Linda Cantrell, Bob Hite and Samuel Stempler. Filed under Show Comments