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Michelle Marchante

@michellemarchante.bsky.social

148 followers 89 following 143 posts

Miami Herald health reporter covering disease outbreaks, healthy aging, healthtech, and other health topics in South Florida. Also the City of Coral Gables reporter. 📧: mmarchante@miamiherald.com My work: www.miamiherald.com/profile/2319262…

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Don’t trust your smartwatch’s calorie burn count. It’s likely lying to you. That’s what FIU researchers learned while testing popular smartwatches from Apple, Fitbit, Samsung and Garmin as part of a new study. More via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

You burned how many calories? FIU study says your fitness tracker is lying

Turns out, the watches don’t do a very good job and tend to significantly overestimate how many calories people burn during exercise.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

NEW: ‘Worst nightmare.’ Medicare patients on alert as deadline nears for UHealth, United to make a deal. What to know vía @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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‘Worst nightmare.’ Medicare patients on alert as deadline nears for UHealth, United

UHealth is accusing UnitedHealthcare of refusing to pay enough for care. United is accusing the health system of wanting too much money.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Thousands of South Floridians who are insured through Aetna will be able to continue visiting their Memorial Healthcare System doctors for in-network care as part of a recently renewed deal between the health system and the insurer. @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

This Broward health system has renewed its deal with Aetna. How it affects care

It keeps Memorial in-network for thousands of South Floridians.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Honored to have won second place in the 76th annual Green Eyeshade Awards in the “Health & Science” reporting category 📰

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

South Florida patients insured through UnitedHealthcare could be locked out of in-network care at the University of Miami Health System as soon as August if a deal isn’t made soon. More via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

This Miami health system could go out-of-network with United. What it means for you

The two have until July 31 to reach a deal.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Coral Gables to get a new park as UM seeks to expand under new deal. What we know via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

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Coral Gables to get a new park as UM seeks to expand under new deal. What we know

It will be named Centennial Park.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Federal agency knocks these South Florida hospitals for price transparency errors via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Federal agency knocks these South Florida hospitals for price transparency errors

A federal rule requires hospitals to provide “consumer-friendly” price information online for the 300 most common procedures and services.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

ICYMI: Coral Gables has carved out some new rules for the food delivery robots. More: @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Changes are coming for the food delivery robots in Coral Gables. What to know

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson expressed various concerns, including that a robot may crash into a person or cause them to go off the sidewalk.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

NEW: Miami-Dade tightens enforcement of disability parking permits. The crackdown in Coral Gables and other cities is meant to curb what officials say is the growing abuse and misuse of the permits. More via @miamiherald.com

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Miami-Dade, Coral Gables crack down on fraudulent disability permits. What to know

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez says he wants to eliminate fraud.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Parents have turned to supplemental health insurance & far away doctors as they navigate the fallout of the dispute between Florida Blue & Broward’s public hospitals. One mom has also found herself battling a hefty out-of-network ER bill. More via: @miamiherald.com

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Mom blames Florida Blue, Broward Health dispute for daughter’s $11,500 ER bill

When ER doctors ruled out appendicitis, Fletcher was relieved. Then, she was struck with a pricey bill for out-of-network care.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

NEW: The owner of Fritz & Franz Bierhaus is fed up with the city of Coral Gables. He wants to move out of the City Beautiful. There’s a change to his World Cup watch party plans, too. @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

miamiherald.com

Fritz & Franz owner says he will move out of Coral Gables after watch party spat

Owner Harald Neuweg blames Mayor Vince Lago for his decision to leave the city.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

NEW: The city of Hialeah, which is trying to cut back on costs, is attempting to collect over $3 million in unpaid water bills from its two largest hospitals, money that could potentially be used to help update its aging water system to make the utility cheaper for residents. @miamiherald.com

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Hialeah seeks $3 million in unpaid water bills from two major hospitals

Together, the combined hospital bills make up about 66% of the $4.5 million overdue water-related payments the city is trying to collect.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

High intensity ultrasounds, deep brain stimulation and stem cells are some of the ways South Florida hospitals are treating Parkinson’s. Learn more via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

‘Game changer’: New tech is reducing Parkinson’s symptoms in South Florida patients

“When the procedure came, I like, hopped out of bed,” one patient said.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

BREAKING: The votes are in for Coral Gables’ first-ever vote-by-mail-only election, where eight referendums were up for consideration. See the results via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Are Coral Gables elections moving to November? See how residents voted

The votes are in for Coral Gables’ mail-only election.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Larkin University plans to open a new college of osteopathic medicine in South Miami-Dade that it says will bring jobs to the area and improve access to care as the state faces a growing doctor shortage. @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

New medical school to open in South Miami-Dade. How it will impact jobs and care

“South Florida currently is facing a significant and worsening physician shortage,” Larkin University CEO Rudi Ettrich said.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Sending the wrong organ. Severe understaffing. Failing to properly identify at least one organ that tested positive for an infectious disease known to cause complications in transplant patients. Why a Miami-based OPO closed via @miamiherald.com

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New report details safety issues that led to Miami organ recovery group’s closure

“We do not understand the gravity of what we are doing,” an executive director said, according to a report obtained by the Miami Herald.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Philanthropists Helen & Jacob Shaham donated $30 million this week to FIU’s medical school, the largest gift in the college’s 20-year history, to help expand & improve medical education, research and patient care. More via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Miami-area man’s $48,000 cancer treatment was denied by his insurer. He’s suing. Via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

Miami-area man’s $48,000 cancer treatment was denied by his insurer. He’s suing

His health insurer argues that the prescribed drug is not medically necessary and not federally approved to treat his type of cancer.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

NEW: After nearly seven years, Chevon Byfield finally found his perfect match: a large, and strong, beating heart. More via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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This Broward dad had heart problems. Why it took nearly 7 years to get an organ

He waited nearly seven years to get a new heart.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

ICYMI: Several hospitals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are in the top 10% nationwide for preventing infections, medical errors and other complications, according to a new report by Healthgrades. More: @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

These Miami-area hospitals are tops in nation for patient safety, report says

Here’s what to know about the Healthgrades rankings.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is taking his battle against ultra-processed foods to the hospital bed, an initiative that’s already getting traction in Miami. More: @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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Miami-area hospital is changing patient meals. See what HHS Secretary Kennedy says

This health system near South Miami is leading the way on the “farm to hospital” initiative.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Jackson Health, Miami-Dade’s public health network, will soon open a new outpatient center in the Kendall area as part of its efforts to bring care closer to patients. More via @miamiherald.com

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This Miami hospital is opening a new center in the Kendall area. What to know

The center will offer urgent care, primary and specialty care, and diagnostic services.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

NEW: Michael “Mike” Sarian, the founder & owner of a health network with South Florida hospitals, is speaking out for the first time about his recent ousting as CEO, describing it as a takeover scheme orchestrated by one of his most trusted advisers and a shareholder. @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Ousted CEO of Florida health system says it was a ‘coup,’ denies mishandling money

“I mean, these people are like the mob,” said Michael Sarian, who founded Healthcare Systems of America.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on a variety of topics. But this time around, voters can only cast their vote by mail. Here’s your FAQ guide via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

An election with no poll sites? Coral Gables to host special vote-by-mail election

What voters need to know.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

NEW: Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on election date changes, salary raises, inspector general services and other topics in the city’s upcoming vote-by-mail election. See what’s on the ballot via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

What’s on the ballot for Coral Gables’ April election? A look at the referendums

Voters will weigh in on eight proposed charter amendments.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Everyone in South Florida has their eyes set on Cuba, where leader Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday acknowledged talks were underway with the Trump administration, a notion that has spurred hope and skepticism across Miami’s exile community. More: @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

What people are saying as talks continue between U.S. and Cuba

“If they don’t have that support they’ll continue crumbling.”

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

NEW: The operator who runs Palmetto General and four other South Florida hospitals is taking its former chairman and CEO to court, accusing him of trying to lock it out of several bank accounts he still has access to that are critical for payroll and patient care services. More: @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Ex-CEO of South Florida hospitals accused of trying to take control of bank accounts

The funds in the accounts are used for hospital operations, including payroll, vendor payments and essential services.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Live updates: What’s happening with Cuba-U.S. talks? See the latest via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...

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Live updates: What’s happening with Cuba-U.S. talks? See the latest

What to know about the annoucement and the reaction.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

A Florida judge has ordered a national watchdog to scrub poor patient safety grades for several South Florida hospitals, describing the scoring methodology as misleading & harmful for patients and “punitive” for medical centers that declined to participate in the voluntary surveys. @miamiherald.com

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Hospital watchdog ordered to delete bad safety grades in Florida. Here’s why

What to know about the complaints and the case.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Here’s what Florida Blue members in Broward should know about billing, ER and other care during the health insurer’s ongoing dispute with Memorial and Broward Health via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

What Florida Blue members in Broward should know about billing, ER and other care

Florida Blue members in Broward County are facing tough questions about how to get in-network care. Here are some answers.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

A $3 million donation from Citadel CEO Ken Griffin has put the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida one step closer to providing more free temporary lodging to families whose children are undergoing treatments at South Florida hospitals. Via @miamiherald.com

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Ken Griffin donates $3M to Ronald McDonald House in Miami. How it helps patients

The new building will have 54 private rooms and amenities that include private bathrooms, a laundry room and a fully stocked kitchen.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

ICYMI: This Broward dad has been on the heart transplant list for nearly 7 years, longer than any other patient across Memorial Healthcare System’s hospitals. It’s difficult to find a large enough heart for his nearly 6-foot-5 frame. More via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

This dad has waited the longest for a heart at this Broward hospital. Here’s why

Byfield is one of over 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the country.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

NEW: In Coral Gables, a death knell is ringing for a garden that will be razed for a controversial mixed-use development. The proposed complex has also rallied a group of supporters who see the project as a lifeline for Crystal Academy whose fate is tied to the property. More via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

What will happen to this Gables school and its ancient tree? There’s an update

The mixed-use development in Coral Gables is one step closer to breaking ground, despite an activist’s pleas to save a tree on the site.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Starting in June, David Zambrana will be the new CEO of Jackson Health, Miami-Dade’s public hospital system and one of the largest in the nation. Learn more about this former nurse via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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‘Dream to work here.’ This former nurse is set to be the new CEO of Jackson Health

David Zambrana will be taking over at a time when health systems across the country are facing financial pressures.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Are you a Florida Blue patient who can no longer get in-network care at Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System in South Florida? @miamiherald.com wants to hear your experience. Fill out the form at this link: amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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Florida Blue patients locked out of Broward Health, Memorial. How is it affecting you?

Are you traveling farther for care? Paying more? Searching for a new doctor?

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

A long-awaited dog park opened Saturday in Coral Gables as part of The Underline, a 10-mile linear park that stretches underneath the Metrorail tracks from the Miami River to Dadeland South. See the adorable furry 🐶 visitors via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

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Gables gets new dog park, part of The Underline. See its first canine visitors

The Bark Park, which is near the Douglas Metro station, is Chewy’s first-ever dog park.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

ICYMI: Jackson Health System’s CEO Carlos Migoya is stepping down after more than a decade of leading one of the largest public health systems in the nation. @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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Jackson Health CEO to step down. Who will be the new leader?

Carlos Migoya has led Jackson for nearly 15-years and is credited with saving the hospital system from financial ruin.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Are you looking for a place to watch the Miami Hurricanes play in the national championship? How about right in the Canes’ backyard? The city of Coral Gables, home to UM, is hosting a free watch party. The deets via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

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Here’s how to see UM play in the national championship for free in Coral Gables

Want to see the Miami Hurricanes play in the national championship? The Gables is hosting a watch party.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Coral Gables residents packed City Hall chambers this week for one of the few topics that can draw crowds to commission meetings: Dog parks. 🐶More on the outcome via @miamiherald.com

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Coral Gables is getting a new dog park. Not everyone is happy about it

On Tuesday, City Hall was packed with residents who said they were blindsided during the process and were never asked for input.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

NEW: A proposed development in Coral Gables is one step closer to breaking ground on the site of the Garden of Our Lord, despite a local activist’s campaign to save the garden and a live oak tree said to be up to 200 years old. More: @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

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Architects say controversial mixed-use project in Coral Gables can move forward

The decision of the special masters is final and can only be overturned or changed by the City Commission.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Partying in Miami for New Year’s? These tips can help you avoid a painful hangover via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Partying in Miami for New Year’s? These tips can help you avoid a painful hangover

There are things you can do to reduce your risk of waking up with a massive hangover.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

NEW: A dispute between Coral Gables leaders and the association that describes itself as a watchdog over the city-owned War Memorial Youth Center is heating up. And legal trouble may be brewing. Via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

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Coral Gables could soon sue group linked to city’s youth center. Here’s why

Commissioners issued a two-week deadline to turn over requested documents, including some the association has argued are not public records.

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Aaron got a lot of surprises for his ninth birthday. He went on his first Disney cruise. And he got a special gift from a Florida Keys scuba diver, one he will carry with him for the rest of his life: a new kidney. More via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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How this Florida Keys diver and his ‘spare part’ helped a boy needing transplant

His reason to donate his kidney was simple: “It was a spare part. It was doing me next to no good.”

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

ICYMI: How did former Jackson Health Foundation COO Charmaine Gatlin’s fraud get discovered? Well, it started with a lie about personally paying for a $10,000 donation to the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida. More via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

miamiherald.com

How a Girl Scouts bill exposed Jackson charity executive’s $7M fraud

“It will take our team years of tireless, day-to-day fundraising to fill the hole that she left behind.”

Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

ICYMI: The fate of Crystal Academy, a Coral Gables school for kids with autism, will depend on a promise made by a now-deceased developer and the outcome of the controversial project he left behind. More: @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

miamiherald.com

This Gables school has helped kids with autism for 16 years. Why it’s moving

“Our challenge is just to find a space that we can tailor to the needs of the students that we serve,” said the school’s founder.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Doctors believed Priscilla Timmons had a less than 10% chance of survival. Then therapy dog Scrunchie walked up to her bedside at Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines. Here’s how Timmons defied the odds and kicked off her recovery journey via @miamiherald.com

miamiherald.com

Cardiac arrests, then a coma. How a therapy dog helped a Broward patient recover

Priscilla Timmons remembers rushing to the bathroom to vomit. Then, her eyesight went dark.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

This past weekend, fatal boat crash survivor Katy Puig was honored at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation’s 18th annual Diamond Ball. Read about her ongoing recovery journey here via @miamiherald.com : amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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‘I’m a fighter.’ Survivor of fatal boat crash honored at Nicklaus Children’s ball

No one, including the doctors, knew what recovery would look like for Katy Puig, a high school senior who’d been captain of her soccer team.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Coral Gables has updated its plan to remember lives lost in the latest war between Israel and Hamas — and to now celebrate the recent release of hostages. @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...

miamiherald.com

Here’s how Coral Gables will commemorate the lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war

The city is moving forward with plans for an interfaith service, with a few tweaks after a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire was announced.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

She embezzled millions from Miami’s public hospital charity. Here’s how she did it via @miamiherald.com www.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

miamiherald.com

She embezzled millions from Miami’s public hospital charity. Here’s how she did it

Charmaine Gatlin admitted to swindling millions from the Jackson Health Foundation, which raises funds for patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

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Michelle Marchante @michellemarchante.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Benjamín León Jr., the founder of Leon Medical Centers and the nominee for U.S. ambassador to Spain, will be honored this week for his contributions to South Florida by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Via @miamiherald.com amp.miamiherald.com/news/health-...

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Leon Medical Center founder to receive top civic honor in Miami

The Cuban American businessman and philanthropist who started the senior-focused health empire has become a household name in the region.