Broward Health is making women’s and children’s health a countywide priority, as evidenced by $117 million of recent capital improvement projects at Broward Health Medical Center, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital and Broward Health Coral Springs.
“We are dedicated to investing in programs and services that meet the needs of our growing community,” said Broward Health President/CEO Beverly Capasso. “We realize that due to relocating families and birth rates, South Florida continues to see a population boom. In anticipation of this growth, we have invested in capital improvements to ensure that all families have access to quality health care.”
Officially formed in 1915, Broward County is the second-most populated of the 67 counties in Florida. Population has been consistently growing, from about 5,000 in 1920 to an estimated 1.9 million in 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Broward County’s Planning Forum also projects a continuous 1.9 percent yearly growth through 2030. By the year 2045, Broward County should house 2.2 million residents.
Capasso noted that Broward County is ranked second in the number of yearly births, which are expected to increase from 22,321 in 2017 to 33,974 by 2030.
In anticipation of Broward County’s projected growth, the system has committed to signature expansion projects designed “to meet the ever increasing needs of the community and provide greater access to care for generations to come,” said North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners Chairman Andrew Klein.
Broward Health has been in the baby business since its first hospital opened in 1938, establishing the system’s long-standing commitment to care for the women and children in South Florida. More than 80 years later, and now averaging 6,000 newborn admissions a year, Broward Health has grown with the county to provide service in more than 30 locations, including four full-service hospitals, a dedicated children’s hospital with two campuses and three centers focused on women’s care.
Broward Health Coral Springs will open to the public its $65 million new tower on Sept. 6, 2018. It features The Maternity Place, a Level II NICU and enhanced surgical services, including those for gynecologic and obstetric needs.
The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health Medical Center will finalize $52 million of renovations to the neonatal intensive care unit later this year, bringing state-of-the art care to the tiniest patients. The new NICU will consist of 36 Level II private rooms and 31 Level III private rooms, as well as related support space, such as physician offices, on-call rooms, and family-centered areas.
Understanding the significance of family support in the recovery process, at Broward Health Coral Springs, Broward Health Medical Center and Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, upgraded units include more space and amenities for visitors and family members. These improvements are designed to provide a better flow of service, reducing wait times and enhancing comfort for patients and their family members.
For mothers and babies, enhanced rooms provide an ideal environment for breastfeeding and bonding with the entire family, while integrating technology to help deliver a high level of care.
“We leverage technology to obtain more real-time data that can be used to improve the patient experience,” said Alan Goldsmith, CFO of Broward Health. “Our patients deserve state-of-the-art health care, and that’s what these improvements bring to the community.”
Broward Health’s mission to provide high-quality care to the people it serves has withstood almost a century of change and growth. Positive outcomes, a patient-centered experience and technologically-advanced care have been the driving force in keeping the vision alive. As the system welcomes the next 80 years, it aims to continue to be Broward County’s preferred choice for care.
“Our entire team is dedicated to providing personalized, quality care to our patients,” Capasso said. “Broward Health will continue to keep the patient’s needs and experience at the heart of every decision made for the future of our health system and the community we serve.”
About Broward Health
Broward Health, providing service for more than 80 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward Health Community Health Services, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.
