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Baptist Health Foundation announced today that it has received a $1 million donation from George Fernandez benefiting an endowment for Baptist Health Cancer Care Key West. The gift will provide ongoing support for facilities, equipment, programs and other cancer care resources.
“We’re extremely grateful to George Fernandez for this significant gift,” said Wendy Reilly Gentes, Assistant Vice President of Development at Baptist Health Foundation. “He understands the needs of the Key West community, and his generosity is leading the way in transforming healthcare in the area. His support will benefit many cancer patients who will now have access to lifesaving care without having to travel far from home.”
A resident of Key West, Mr. Fernandez became interested in supporting Baptist Health Cancer Care after watching the only provider in Key West leave the area, forcing his good friend to seek treatment elsewhere before losing his battle with cancer. He was impressed by Baptist Health’s commitment to expanding cancer care throughout the Keys, and opening a center in Key West providing chemotherapy and radiation oncology to fill this critical need.
“This mission is personal to me,” said Mr. Fernandez. “Like many, we’ve experienced the problems our friends and loved ones have encountered in our community in need of cancer care. I felt that this gift would be the best way to give back to the Key West community, the place that — as the self-appointed goodwill ambassador for the past 32 years — I’m very proud to call my forever home.”
Drew Grossman, chief executive officer of Baptist Health Mariners Hospital and Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital, remarked, “Our institutes in cancer, brain and spine, heart and vascular and orthopedic care are designed to tackle today’s most urgent health challenges. We are grateful for George’s leadership and generosity supporting cancer care in Key West — part of Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute — which helps us fulfill our commitment to the Lower Keys community.”
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute offers renowned subspecialized surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, and highly advanced technologies available to treat every common and rare cancer. The Institute is part of Baptist Health Cancer Care, the largest cancer program in South Florida, providing local, out-of-state and international patients with the most advanced cancer care. With locations from the Florida Keys to the Palm Beaches, the program provides cancer patients access to a full array of innovative clinical trials, physicians dedicated to bringing discovery to the bedside, access to personalized cancer treatments and comprehensive patient support services.
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 28,000 employees, 4,500 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and the Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/
