The Newly-Named M.B. Fernandez Family Emergency Pavilion Brings Much-Needed Medical Resources To Growing Area
Miami, FL (October 25, 2007) – Mercy Hospital President and CEO, John E. Matuska announced details of their newly expanded emergency department, named the M.B. Fernandez Family Emergency Pavilion.
The state-of-the-art $25 million two-story facility, which has an anticipated opening date of November 2007, will more than triple the capabilities of the current Emergency Department, from 7,230 square feet to more than 22,000 square feet, with 32 available beds, including eight in the Minor Care area of the facility.
“We recognized a number of years ago that we were rapidly outgrowing the capabilities of our existing Emergency Department,” said Matuska. “As a mission-based, non-profit organization, our goal is simple – to meet the needs of each and every individual that walks through our doors. The new expanded facility will keep pace with the needs of our fast-growing community, and further allow us to meet our mission.”
The M.B. Fernandez Family Emergency Pavilion is named after Miami entrepreneur Miguel B. (Mike) Fernandez and his family, who donated $5 million toward the Hospital’s Emergency Department expansion. Fernandez is CEO of MBF Healthcare Partners, a private equity fund that invests in healthcare service firms.
The growing population base within the City of Miami and surrounding communities has been reflected in visits to the Hospital’s Emergency Department, where demand continues to increase. The existing facility has a volume of more than 30,000 visits per year, which prompted the Hospital to embark on a multi-million dollar expansion and modernization process.
The new additions will provide greater privacy and comfort for patients and their families by enclosing patient rooms and creating distinctive separations for patients to enter by ambulance, as walk-in emergencies. A spacious, comfortable waiting area will provide immediate access to key staff and patient updates.
The technological improvements and significant upgrades in equipment and systems will assure top quality medical care.
“Mercy has a great tradition of service to the Hispanic population and I recognize it as a preeminent hospital in Miami-Dade County,” explained Mike Fernandez. “My Father has been a patient at Mercy and I felt our donation could play a significant role in the needed updating and expansion of their services.”
Fernandez’s donation is the lead gift of the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s VISION Campaign, which is well on its way towards raising more than $15 million for the Hospital’s Emergency Department expansion through the generous support of Mercy employees, physician groups and community leaders.
“We would like to thank Mr. Fernandez and all of the other donors for their generous support of Mercy Hospital,” said Josie Romano Brown, president of the Mercy Hospital Foundation. “Coupled with our long-term plans to further upgrade Mercy Hospital, the opening of the M.B. Fernandez Family Emergency Pavilion is a major step toward that goal.”
###
Mercy Hospital, a recipient of the prestigious Magnet™ award for nursing excellence, is Miami-Dade’s only Catholic Hospital. Established in 1950, it is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph and a member of Catholic Health East. A 483-bed acute care hospital, staffed by over 700 physicians representing 27 medical specialties, its Centers of Excellence include: The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital, the Miami Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, the Orthopaedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, and the Minimally Invasive Surgical Institute at Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital is located at 3663 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL.
For more information contact:
Arianne Rey
(305) 860-4634
Yvette Rodriguez
(305) 663-3543
