Dear Friends:   One year ago this month, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic as it swept around the globe, bringing alarm and challenges to virtually every aspect of our lives. This issue of our newsletter acknowledges this milestone and pays tribute to the people it has affected. As we remember the patients impacted by COVID-19, we also extend our gratitude to Jackson Health System’s healthcare heroes and the many who supported us through their donations and in-kind gifts.   The COVID-19 anniversary reminds us how important it is to stay up to date on the latest news and breakthroughs in health care. That is why we chose “COVID-19: The Vaccine and the Road Ahead” as the topic of our inaugural presentation of “Conversations in Care,” our new online initiative that takes place on Thursday, March 18. Details on how you can participate in the webinar are in this issue of our newsletter.   This issue also includes a salute to new members and those who have advanced to a new level of membership within the Golden Angels Society, which represents the highest level of giving within our Foundation. We also share news on the opening of our new Critical Care Pavilion.   Our newsletter closes with a feature on the extraordinary medical team at the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI), which has retained its position as the No. 1 transplant center in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Jackson Health System recently premiered “Transplanting Through a Pandemic: How the Miami Transplant Institute Stood Up to COVID-19,” an awe-inspiring documentary that gives a behind-the-scenes look at their lifesaving work. If you haven’t seen the video, be sure to click the “play” button in the middle of the video screen and prepare to be inspired. The MTI team and all the people within Jackson Health System remind us of what is possible with great focus and dedication. They are saving lives every day, and with your support, they will continue to set the standard for health care in our community. Thank you for embracing our mission. Sincerely,

Charmaine Gatlin Co-President & Chief Operating Officer

Flavia Llizo Co-President & Chief Development Officer

Join the Conversation With Our Experts

Introducing “Conversations in Care,” a webinar featuring Jackson Health System physicians and experts who will share their insights on the latest developments in health care. The series begins on Thursday, March 18, at 1 p.m. with a discussion about COVID-19, the vaccine, its impact, and what we can expect in the future. "Conversations in Care" offers you an exclusive opportunity to engage with medical teams at Jackson in an online setting. No RSVPs are required to participate in this event. Zoom Webinar Link: Click here  (NOTE: After you click the link above, click "Join the Meeting as an Attendee" and enter your name and email address).

Click here to submit your questions for our “Conversations in Care” experts in advance.

A Somber Anniversary Jackson Began Treating COVID-19 Patients A Year Ago This Month

March 19 marks the one-year anniversary of the day that Jackson Health System admitted its first COVID-19-positive patient. Since that day, Jackson and healthcare providers worldwide have confronted the sadness and triumphs of treating COVID-19 patients – making heroic efforts to save lives and often standing in for family members who could not be there to support their loved ones. We pay tribute to the patients who lost their lives to this terrible illness. We also celebrate the recovery of the thousands who received treatment and returned home to the warm embrace of their family and friends. Heartfelt thanks to the countless individuals, organizations and companies that made generous donations of food, personal protective equipment and more to support our efforts throughout the year. We are grateful for your support during this challenging time.

We are proud to salute the people and organizations who have joined the Golden Angel Society* or increased their level of membership within the organization. The Golden Angel Society is our Foundation's premier giving society. Golden Angels play a vital role in supporting Jackson Health System's mission of providing a single, high standard of quality care to all. Their gifts are essential to Jackson's ongoing development and its ability to pursue excellence in patient care. Each year, we welcome new members and celebrate those who have increased their level of giving during our Golden Angels Gala. However, due to concerns for our guests' health and safety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we opted to cancel the 2021 gala with plans to host a spectacular Golden Angels Gala in 2022. We are grateful for their support, and we look forward to next year's grand celebration in their honor. Click here to learn more about how you can become a member of the Golden Angel Society. New Golden Angel Society Members  S L Green Properties Inc., Golden Angel Academic Medical Center Connection, Platinum Angel Adria Adrian Almeida, Golden Angel Linda Balboa, Golden Angel JoAnn Carden-Glass, Golden Angel Mayi de la Vega, Golden Angel Marta Regina Fischer Fernandez & Ernesto Fernandez Holmann, Golden Angels JLG Family Holding LLC, Golden Angel Jordan and Susan Kahn, Golden Angel Gus and Lilliam Machado, Golden Angel Eric Maller, Golden Angel Keith Pomeroy, Golden Angel Alicia and Reinaldo Portella, Golden Angels Joaquin Ribadeneira, Golden Angel Diego Ribadeneira & Family, Golden Angels Maria and Lucas Trujillo, Golden Angels *As of October 2020

Critical Care Pavilion Opens With Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting

Jackson Health System celebrated the opening of its new Critical Care Pavilion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place on March 2. Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System, and Roy L. Hawkins, Jr., senior vice president and CEO of Jackson Memorial Hospital, welcomed Jackson team members to the ceremony and celebrated the significance of this latest milestone in the system’s history. Located on top of Jackson’s Diagnostic Treatment Center – the main entrance to Jackson Memorial Hospital – this three-story tower features two floors outfitted with 54 ICU beds, and shell space to add another 27 beds down the line. Jackson projects a growth of ICU needs in the future as the health system continues to build signature services, like cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and transplant. In 2019 and 2020, Jackson’s Miami Transplant Institute was the largest transplant program in the nation. This addition will provide the extra capacity to take care of transplant patients post-surgery – and it will ensure that Jackson remains the No. 1 place to go for the highest quality critical care in the region.

A Must-Watch Documentary Learn How Miami Transplant Institute Overcame The Challenges of COVID-19

For the second year in a row, the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) is the top transplant center in the U.S., with no other center performing more transplants in 2020.* A joint program between Jackson Health System and UHealth – University of Miami Health System, MTI is the perfect match for patients. MTI takes on the most complex cases – cases that most institutions will not – and the medical team continues to perform successful transplants through the COVID pandemic. Watch the documentary on how MTI transplanted through a pandemic. *Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS), January 2021.

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