Dr. Marc Agronin, the director of mental health services at the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital, has been named the recipient of the Clinician of the Year Award of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Dr. Agronin, who is also an associate professor of Psychiatry at the University of Miami–Miller School of Medicine, will receive the award at AAGP’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, on March 14.

Dr. Agronin is recognized as a leading expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. He has had numerous articles published in all the major publications in his field, and his book, Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: A Practical Guide, is an accessible yet definitive work on the subject. He is equally noted for his extraordinary compassion and empathy for patients and their families.

Sandy Miot, the Miami Jewish Home’s CEO, said, “What really distinguishes Dr. Agronin as a geriatric psychiatrist is not only his vast knowledge within his chosen field, but his boundless humanity when it comes to caring for his elderly patients and their caregivers. Dr. Agronin has a unique understanding of and empathy for what it means to grow old and have to deal with life’s losses. He also has tremendous empathy for the families of Alzheimer’s patients, and he is as expert in helping them to understand and cope as he is in caring for the patients themselves. He is truly an exemplary geriatric psychiatrist and a remarkable man.”

Dr. Agronin said of being named Clinician of the Year, “This is really a special honor for me because it comes from my professional peers. In my mind, the Miami Jewish Home really deserves the award since it has provided me with the environment and the support to maintain a very unique geriatric psychiatry practice – one that you probably won't find at many long-term care institutions around the country.”

The Miami Jewish Home’s chief operating officer, Fred Stock, commented, “Dr. Agronin is most deserving of the Clinician of the Year Award. For the past 9 years the residents of the Miami Jewish Home have benefited from his expertise and compassion. In addition to maintaining a large clinical practice, he has been at the forefront of developing innovative programs in dementia and behavioral health for our elders. Dr. Agronin will continue to expand the knowledge of geriatric psychiatry and we are proud to have him on our staff.”




Two of Miami Jewish Home's outstanding programs were among the prize winners at the 2007 Aetna Excellence in Healthcare Awards Luncheon sponsored by the South Florida Business Journal and held at the Broward Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale. The Aetna Awards honor the very finest healthcare programs and professionals in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
The winner in the "Health Services" category was our very own Rosomoff Comprehensive Pain Center. Dr. Hubert Rosomoff and his wife Renée rose to the dais to accept the award and addressed the assembly of top South Florida healthcare professionals.
The Home's New Beginnings program was the winner in the "Non-Profit Program" category and Dana Ryder accepted the award from the dais. This was tremendous recognition for a relatively young program.
The Ventilator Unit and Douglas Gardens Hospice were also recognized as finalists in the "Hospital-Based Program" and "Community-Based Program," respectively.
It was a marvelous event at which the Miami Jewish Home was definitely spotlighted before the South Florida healthcare community.

Douglas Gardens North is adding a new building to the Douglas Gardens North campus in Pembroke Pines. Construction has begun on the 52-unit HUD Section 202 affordable housing building which is located directly behind the Albert & Ann Jacobs Building. This is an apartment building for independent seniors, not an assisted living facility (which is why it will not provide services such as housekeeping, meals or assistance with ADL’s – activities of daily living). Construction should take 12 to 14 months, so a Grand Opening can be expected in late fall 2008. For more information about this new venture at Douglas Gardens North, please call Susan Gotlieb at 954-704-3464.

The Douglas Gardens Care Initiative has begun a series of forums designed to provide information about the wide range of care services provided at Douglas Gardens, also known as the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital, for people of all ages and from all communities. These forums are geared primarily towards philanthropic individuals and foundations.
Douglas Gardens opened in 1945 with 23 beds. It is now home to more than 700 seniors, as well as being a vital provider of inpatient and outpatient care and services for approximately 8,000 community residents annually, making it one of South Florida’s largest healthcare providers.
Guided by traditional Jewish values, but providing the finest in care to all, including disadvantaged, underserved populations, Douglas Gardens is dedicated to serving the elderly, mentally ill, disabled, and the chronically ill of all faiths and ethnicities with a broad range of healthcare services.
The Care Initiative is intended to inform the public regarding the exceptional range and quality of care available at Douglas Gardens, as well as to help fund access to that care where funding gaps exist. Samuel Harte, the Care Initiative’s founder and Chair of the Care Initiative Committee, explained, “We give 100% care to clients, but the funding is sometimes less than 100%, mostly as the result of diminishing government reimbursement.”
The first Douglas Gardens Care Initiative Forum was held on June 19 at Douglas Gardens. The featured presenter was Dr. Bernard Brucker, Founder and Director of the Brucker Biofeedback Center at Douglas Gardens, which develops and applies new technology for the purpose of restoring function to people who have paralysis from central nervous system damage.
The first Douglas Gardens Care Initiative Forum was very well received and very successful. “Significant commitments were made by foundations and philanthropists,” said Harte. “We’re very pleased, and the additional funding generated by the first Care Initiative Forum will help Douglas Gardens to continue its mission of providing the finest care to people of all faiths, even when the cost of providing that care exceeds the income generated.”
The second DGCI Forum was held on September 18. The featured presenter was Jody Gross, Executive Director of Douglas Gardens Hospice, Inc. Gross explained the Hospice’s unique multi-disciplinary approach of nurses, home health aides, volunteers, chaplains, social workers, bereavement counselors and physicians all working in concert to meet the patient's needs. The second Forum was also very well received and successful.
For more information about the Douglas Gardens Care Initiative, and/or to make a reservation to attend the next Douglas Gardens Initiative Forum, contact Jay Sweeney at 305-762-1405 or jsweeney@mjhha.org.

Rabbi David W. Gordon is the new rabbi of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital. Noted for his wide-ranging background and delightful sense of humor, Rabbi Gordon will be conduct services at the Jacob Rechtschaffer Synagogue on the Sabbath, holidays and special occasions, and will teach a course every week on religious subjects. Rabbi Gordon served as a volunteer at the Home for several years, and was groomed for his new position by the previous rabbi, Rabbi Jacob Handler, who died this past March at the age of 92.
Michael Brodie, MJHH’s Director of Assisted Living, said of Rabbi Gordon’s appointment, “Rabbi Gordon’s enthusiasm, humanism and delightful sense of humor were much appreciated even before he was offered the position of Rabbi at the Home. At the Rechtschaffer Synagogue, the congregation comes from every level of Jewish experience and range of religious knowledge and commitment. It takes an unusual personality to have the patience, flexibility and perseverance to meld this diverse group into a functional congregation. It takes not only leadership, but love – and Rabbi Gordon is blessed with both.”
During his career, Rabbi Gordon has served as rabbi at the Bayside Jewish Center in Bayside, New York; the B’nai Abraham Synagogue in Easton, Pennsylvania; and the Fresh Meadows Jewish Center in Flushing, New York. He served as president of the Queens Region Rabbinical Assembly, and the Retired Rabbis Southeast Region. Rabbi Gordon was awarded a diploma in Interpersonal Psychology from the William Alanson Institute of Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, and in 1977 he received the “Chaplain of the Year” Award from the New York Board of Rabbis for his work as Jewish Chaplain at the Bird S. Coler Hospital on Welfare Island.
Rabbi Gordon said of his new appointment, “I feel honored and privileged because many of my congregants are volunteers at the Home who are truly observing the dictum to help the sick and lonely.” Of his approach to ministering to the elderly Rabbi Gordon said, “I try to instill in them the hope to go on living, knowing that their physical needs are all satisfied, and that the synagogue is always available to them, as well as the rabbi.” His philosophy regarding old age: “Living a long life is a blessing, and not withstanding the difficulties and challenges, we must continue to smile and enjoy life.”

FEBRUARY

Thurs., 14 Gift of the Heart Society “Thank You” Luncheon

12 Noon – Westview Country Club
The Annual "Thank You" luncheon for members of the Gift of the Heart Society will be held at Westview Country Club. It's never too late to become a "Heart of Gold" and receive an invitation to this fabulous event. For more information: Suzanne Hafkin at 305-762-1382 or shafkin@mjhha.org.

MARCH

Thurs., 6 Greater Miami Women’s Auxiliary Brunch & Card Party

11 AM – Westview Country Club
The Greater Miami Women's Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens will hold its "Lend a Helping Hand – Hold a Winning Hand" Brunch and Card Party at Westview Country Club. Good food, cards and camaraderie make this a winning day for all participants. For more information: Suzanne Hafkin at 305-762-1382 or shafkin@mjhha.org.

APRIL

Wed., 30 Junior Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens Spring Fling Luncheon

11:30 AM – Ruby Auditorium
The Junior Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens will hold its Spring Fling Luncheon in the Ruby Auditorium on the Douglas Gardens Campus.

MAY

Thurs., 8 Greater Miami Women’s Auxiliary Spring Fling Luncheon

11:30 AM – Ruby Auditorium
The Greater Miami Women's Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens will "Spring into Action" at its Spring Fling Luncheon and Boutique in the Ruby Auditorium on the Douglas Gardens Campus. In addition to an upscale boutique featuring fabulous items, the group will hold an election and installation of Officers and Board of Directors for 2008-2010. This annual "friend-raiser" is the perfect time for members to bring prospective new members. For more information: Suzanne Hafkin at 305-762-1382 or shafkin@mjhha.org.

JUNE

Tues., 10 Junior Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens Donor Luncheon

11:30 AM – Ruby Auditorium
The Junior Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens will pay tribute to its most philanthropic members at its annual Donor Luncheon. A "Donor" contributes a minimum of $200, during the group's fiscal year, through participation in general donations, raffles, remembrance cards, underwriting and the Gift of the Heart Society. For more information: Suzanne Hafkin at 305-762-1382 or shafkin@mjhha.org.


AUGUST

Thurs., 21 Latin Auxiliary of Douglas Gardens

Boutique: 10:30 AM (Location TBA)
Luncheon: 12 N at Ruby Auditorium
For more information: Suzanne Hafkin at 305-762-1382 or shafkin@mjhha.org.