The Smart Way To Stay Moving - See More. Spend Less. Let Us Be Your Tour Guide! By Jose Paz - BCT Aug 27, 2025 There’s A Certain Freedom That Comes With Knowing Your Way Around, And An Even Greater One When You Don’t Have To Drive To Get There. For Broward’s active older adults, Broward County Transit (BCT) is more than a ride; it’s a way to stay independent, connected, and engaged with the community, all while enjoying discounted fares that make it even easier to say “yes” to the day. Whether it’s meeting friends for lunch, browsing fresh produce at a farmers market, or taking a fitness class at your local community center, BCT helps you get there with ease. For just $1 per ride, or even less with a bus pass, you can enjoy the places and people that matter most, while leaving the driving (and the parking) to us. Our buses are clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned. They’re equipped with accessibility features like low-floor boarding, priority seating, wheelchair lifts, and ramps, making every ride safe and convenient. Our drivers are trained to offer courteous, helpful assistance, and our real-time trip planning tools make it easy to know when your ride is coming, so you’re never left guessing. Looking for something new to do? Take a mid-morning trip to the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale or the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center. Enjoy nature at Secret Woods or Long Key Nature Center, or catch a matinee show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Many local destinations even offer senior discounts, so between the savings on the ride and the deals at your destination, your day out becomes much sweeter. And if you’re just looking for a peaceful, relaxing ride across town, that’s reason enough to hop aboard. Some of our most loyal riders say they love the freedom to simply ride and see parts of the county they haven’t visited in years, so no agenda is necessary. BCT is proud to serve Broward’s older adults. With discounted fares for anyone 65 and over, staying active and independent has never been so easy, or so affordable. So if it’s been a while since your last ride, or you’ve never tried BCT before, this summer is the perfect time to give it a go. Just Try It! For more information on reduced fares, bus passes, and route planning, visit: www.Broward.org/BCT - Or call: (954) 357-8400. We’d love to help you get started. Previous Next

Recovering From Hurricane Milton - AAA Provides Insurance Advice For Florida Residents Wed Oct 16 2024 17:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Aventura Branch Library Happenings: Renaissance Dance, Classic Board Games, Meditation & Exercises And Much More Fri Feb 03 2023 17:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Heart-Healthy Family Meal Family Features April 13, 2023 Share Making small changes to focus on your health, like following a healthy eating plan, can make a big difference in protecting your heart. Developed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. It requires no special foods and instead provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for Heart Disease: High Blood Pressure and high LDL (bad) Cholesterol. As an added bonus, sharing DASH-friendly meals with your loved ones can help take the guesswork out of putting nutritious dinners on your family’s table. For example, this easy and delicious Turkey and Beef Meatballs with Whole-Wheat Spaghetti recipe is one the entire family can help prepare. In addition to following a healthy eating plan, other self-care habits like taking time daily to destress, being more physically active and getting enough quality sleep can all benefit your heart. It’s also important to know what your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels are and what a healthy weight is for you. Learn more about the DASH eating plan and find recipes at: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/DASH Turkey And Beef Meatballs With Whole-Wheat Spaghetti Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 • 3 Quarts of Water • 8 Ounces of dry Whole-Wheat • Spaghetti • 2 Cups of chunky Tomato Sauce • 4 Teaspoons of grated Parmesan Cheese • 1 Tablespoon of fresh Basil, rinsed, dried and chopped Turkey Meatballs: • 6 Ounces of 99% Lean ground Turkey • 1/4 Cup of Whole-Wheat Breadcrumbs • 2 Tablespoons of Fat-Free Evaporated Milk • 1 Tablespoon of grated Parmesan Cheese • 1/2 Tablespoon of fresh Chives, rinsed, dried and chopped • 1/2 Tablespoon of fresh Parsley, rinsed, dried and chopped Beef Meatballs: • 6 Ounces of 93% Lean ground Beef • 1/4 Cup of Whole-Wheat Breadcrumbs • 2 Tablespoons of Fat-Free Evaporated Milk • 1 Tablespoon of grated Parmesan Cheese • 1/2 Tablespoon of fresh Chives, rinsed, dried and chopped • 1/2 Tablespoon of fresh Parsley, rinsed, dried and chopped Preheat the oven to 400F. In a 4-quart saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package's directions. Drain and set it aside. To make the Turkey Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the ground Turkey, the Breadcrumbs, the Evaporated Milk, the Parmesan Cheese, the Chives and the Parsley; mix well. Measure 1 1/2 tablespoons of Turkey mixture and roll into balls using your hands. Place the meatballs on a nonstick baking sheet. Repeat until eight Turkey Meatballs are made. To make the Beef Meatballs: In a separate bowl, combine the ground Beef, the Breadcrumbs, the Evaporated Milk, the Parmesan Cheese, the Chives and the Parsley; mix well. Measure 1 1/2 tablespoons of the Beef mixture and roll into balls using your hands. Place the meatballs on a nonstick baking sheet. Repeat until eight Beef Meatballs are made. Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes until the minimum internal temperature of 165F is reached. Warm sauce, if necessary. To serve: Serve four meatballs with 3/4 cup of pasta, 1/2 cup of sauce, 1 teaspoon of Parmesan Cheese and 1 pinch of Basil per portion. < Previous News Next News >

Aventura Breaks Ground on New Don Soffer Aventura High School Campus Aventura Digest Sep 17, 2026 The City Of Aventura Marked A Major Milestone In Its Commitment To Education In August With The Official Groundbreaking Of A Brand-New, Expanded Campus For Don Soffer Aventura High School. “Yes. The moment has arrived. Groundbreaking on our brand new school. Promise made. Promise kept. So honored to be your Mayor.” as shared on Mayor Howard Weinberg's Instagram. The project represents a significant expansion of the school and its partnership with Charter Schools USA, which operates the public charter school. City officials, school representatives, families and community partners gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction and look ahead to the opportunities the new campus is expected to bring to students across Aventura. The expanded campus is designed to increase the school's capacity in every grade, creating space for more students and allowing more families in the community to access a Don Soffer Aventura High School education. Charter Schools USA said the new campus represents an exciting next chapter for the school and the families it serves. The organization described the project as an investment in greater educational opportunity, innovation and student growth. “The future of teaching and learning is taking shape in Aventura,” Charter Schools USA said in announcing the groundbreaking. The expansion comes as Aventura continues to emphasize the importance of providing high-quality educational opportunities for local families. By increasing capacity throughout the school, the new campus is expected to provide additional access to a world-class charter school education while giving students more opportunities to pursue their academic interests and discover their individual potential. For families, the project promises more than simply additional classrooms. School officials envision a modern learning environment that can support students across all grade levels and provide greater opportunities for innovation and engagement. The project also highlights the collaboration among the city, Charter Schools USA and the construction team responsible for bringing the vision to life. Charter Schools USA specifically recognized Pirtle Construction Company for its role in helping make the groundbreaking event possible and for its work on the new school. The groundbreaking marks the start of a project that city and school leaders say will have a lasting impact on Aventura. As the groundbreaking marked the day shovels hit the ground, anticipation is already building for the day students and families can walk through the doors of the completed campus. “We can’t wait to cut the ribbon on the spectacular school you are building,” Charter Schools USA said in thanking its construction partners. The new Don Soffer Aventura High School campus is poised to become an important addition to Aventura's educational landscape, expanding access while creating a larger home for the school's growing student community. For Aventura families, the project signals a future with more seats, more opportunities and a renewed focus on preparing students for what comes next. With construction now underway, the city and its education partners are looking toward the completion of a campus designed to serve generations of students. The August groundbreaking was only the beginning. As the new campus takes shape, Aventura will be watching the transformation of a vision into a new center for learning, innovation and opportunity in the heart of the community. Previous Next

Sunny Isles Beach Police - Dedicated To Providing The Highest Level Of Professional Service To Its Citizens Thu Nov 21 2024 19:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Proud Of Calling NSE SIB K-8 Their School: A Message From The Mayor Of Sunny Isles Beach Thu Mar 23 2023 16:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

It’s Time For The City Of Hollywood Cardboard Boat Race October 12, 2023 Share Join us this Saturday for the City of Hollywood’s Annual Cardboard Boat Race and watch more than 60 cardboard boat crews compete in their boats made entirely of cardboard! The race sets sail on Hollywood’s North Lake on Saturday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the Hollywood Marina at 700 Polk Street. Landlubbers will gather to cheer as the crews paddle in head-to-head competition for the coveted trophies in categories such as: “People’s Choice,” “Fastest Vessel,” “Most Creative Design” and “Most Spectacular Sinking.” There’s still time to Pre-Register and Walk-Up Registrations will be accepted starting at 8:00 a.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For additional information, please call the City of Hollywood Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts at: (954) 921-3404. Or visit: www.hollywoodfl.org/specialevents Hollywood Beach Sweep This Saturday, October 14th, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., join volunteers to gather to collect litter and cigarette butts from the sandy beach. Volunteers meet at Charnow Park at Garfield Street and the Broadwalk, at 7:00 a.m. Please complete the Registration Form available on the City’s website at: www.hollywoodfl.org - Children ages 8 and older are welcome to participate when accompanied by an adult. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided to all volunteers along with safety instructions. Please dress appropriately, wear sunscreen and bring a completed Registration Form. Don't forget, plastic water bottles are prohibited on Hollywood Beach, so bring a reusable water bottle instead. < Previous News Next News >

Changes Are Coming: The Supreme Court, Foster Park & Golden Isles In Hallandale Beach Thu Mar 24 2022 04:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A New Season of Halloween Thrills: Music, Comedy and More At The Broward Center For Performing Arts September 12, 2024 Share October kicks off a brand new season at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts with plenty to get audiences in the Halloween spirit, from The Witches of Eastwick to Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas and Ancient Aliens Live, as well as nonstop laughs with performances from Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein, Pinky Patel, Eddie Izzard and Nikki Glaser; incredible musical entertainment from Gaby Moreno, Men at Work, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico; a dance party for the senses from Koo Koo; a musical revue celebrating American history and so much more. Grammy® Award-Winner Gaby Moreno performs in the Amaturo Theater on Friday, October 4th at 7:30 p.m. Creating warm and soulful music that offers an intoxicating invitation into her musical world for English and Spanish speakers alike, this singer-songwriter has released eight albums since moving to Los Angeles from her native Guatemala. She received the Best Latin Pop Album Grammy® for X Mí (Vol. 1) in 2024 and Grammy® nominations for Illusion (2017) and Alegoría (2022). She was also recognized with a nomination for producing legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo's album Vida (2023). In addition, the theme song for the award-winning TV series Parks and Recreation, which she co-wrote, received an Emmy® Award nomination. Moreno has shared the stage with music luminaries such as Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, Nickel Creek, David Gray, Los Lobos, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne and Van Dyke Parks, among others. Calling her “simply breathtaking,” NPR reported, “Her voice is passionate and stylistically malleable." Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life brings one of Hollywood’s most sought-after multihyphenates to town as the producer-writer-actor comes to the Au-Rene Theater as part of the Truist Comedy Series on Saturday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m. As the Co-Executive Producer, Writer and star of the Peabody-Winning Apple TV+ Series Ted Lasso, his scene-stealing performance as the brash yet lovable Roy Kent has earned him two Primetime Emmy® Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, making him the category’s first back-to-back winner in almost 15 years. Goldstein is the creator and executive producer of the cathartic comedy Shrinking, alongside Jason Segel and Bill Lawrence, which has been renewed for a second season by Apple TV+. This follows the success of his critically acclaimed AMC limited anthology series, Soulmates, which he created and executive produced with Will Bridges. He is the host of the iHeartRadio Award-Winning Podcast, Films To Be Buried With, which finds him in candid conversation with special guests as they discuss the films that have shaped them. This event is presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Live Nation and contains adult language or content. Young, Aussie Rocker Taj Farrant performs in the Amaturo Theater on Thursday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. With natural musical ability, the guitarist has that truly genuine “feel” when he plays with a technique and soul well beyond his years. Enjoying a fast-growing online presence and an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, he has also shared the stage with, among others, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas and Orianthi. He is joined by special guests Jazel Farrant and Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico brings its Latin music sounds to the Au-Rene Theater on Friday, October 11th at 8:00 p.m. as part of the Allegro Fort Lauderdale Mosaic Series. Decades after its inception, the 13-piece salsa group continues to inspire dancers with its horn-punctuated Latin rhythms and lush vocal harmonies. Officially named "Ambassadors of Our Music" by the Puerto Rican Senate, El Gran Combo's many hits include such classics as "El Menu" and "Timablero." Their 1978 Album, “En Las Vegas,” sold more than one million copies, while its follow-up, “In Alaska: Breaking the Ice,” was nominated for a Grammy® Award. A longtime member of popular Latin band Cortijo y Su Combo, Ithier formed El Gran Combo in 1962 with eight of his bandmates, including Percussionist, Dancer, Chorus Singer, and Salsa Bandleader Roberto Roena. This legendary Puerto Rican Salsa Orchestra is now over six decades old, and they are showing no signs of slowing down. These revered Salsa gods will be pumping out their unrivaled and florid arrangements of colorful, horn-driven music all night long. Pinky Patel: #isaidwhatisaid Tour arrives for two shows in the Abdo New River Room as part of the Truist Comedy Series on October 12th at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Best known for her hilarious commentary and viral videos from her glam cave that have garnered more than 64.5 million likes on TikTok, Patel is a PTA mom turned Creator, Comedian and Personality with a fan base of more than five million. This event contains adult language or content. A VIP package is available. A dance party for the senses, Koo Koo comes to the Amaturo Theater as part of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Imagination Series on Sunday, October 13th at 1:00 p.m. For the last 15 years, lifelong friends and collaborators Bryan Atchison and Neil Olstad have toured the globe delighting fans with their high-energy music, infectious positivity and interactive live show while their comedic dance party songs are the backbone of a highly successful YouTube Channel. With an emphasis on crowd participation and building a raucous, hyper-active atmosphere, a Koo Koo show must be seen to be believed. The duo has shared stages with such acts as Yo Gabba Gabba, The Aquabats and Frank Turner, in addition to festival appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and the Vans Warped Tour. In their new TV series, Oh Yeah Heck Yeah on the Koo Koo YouTube Channel, they present a fast-paced variety clip show featuring music videos, sketches, animation and interactive games. VIP Packages are available. Grammy® Award Winners Men at Work perform in the Au-Rene Theater as part of the Cleveland Clinic Rock Series on October 18th at 8:00 p.m. Known for their 1981 Hit “Down Under,” the Australian Rock Band gained fame under their founding mainstay Colin Hay on Lead Vocals and Guitar. The band simultaneously scored No. 1 Album (Business as Usual) and No. 1 Single (“Down Under”) on the U.S. Billboard charts as well as on the Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom Charts. Having sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, the band also charted with their albums Cargo and Two Hearts. This concert is presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents. Just in time for Halloween, Slow Burn Theatre Company’s 2024/2025 Season supported by American National Bank opens in the Amaturo Theater with The Witches of Eastwick Saturday, October 19th – Sunday November 3rd including an open-captioned performance on Sunday, October 27th at 2:00 p.m. The original West End production was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical and is based on the 1984 novel of the same name by John Updike and the basis for the 1987 film starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer. In the tiny New England town of Eastwick, three modern day witches innocently plot and conjure over a heady brew of weak martinis and peanut butter brownies. But all hell breaks loose when their shared desire for “all manner of man in one man” arrives in the form of charismatic stranger Darryl Van Horne. The musical has book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe, the creative team behind Zombie Prom and The Fix. Performance times vary. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and AEG Presents bring Ancient Aliens LIVE: Project Earth to the Au-Rene Theater on Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 p.m. This 90-minute live experience celebrates the long-running Ancient Aliens program on the History Channel and explores the theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for millions of years. This experiential extension of Ancient Aliens features Leading Ancient Astronaut Theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, Investigative Mythologist William Henry, UK Government UFO Investigator Nick Pope and Ancient Civilizations Expert Jason Martell. Together they discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt to the moon, paving the long road to disclosure. A post-show VIP experience can be added to any ticket. Audiences can expect the unexpected when Eddie Izzard brings her hilarious brand of stand-up comedy to the Au-Rene Theater with The Remix Tour Live: The First 35 Years as part of the Truist Comedy Series on Tuesday, October 22nd at 8:00 p.m. Brilliant, hilarious and often bizarre, the actor, comedian, multi-marathon runner and political activist’s boundary-pushing career spans 35 years of record-breaking comedy tours and critically acclaimed film, TV and theater performances. Hailed by The Guardian as “joyous and imaginatively playful,” and inspired by her ever loyal audiences, The Remix Tour Live reimagines some of Izzard’s own favorite comedy highlights, including from her West End stage debut in 1993, “Live at the Ambassadors,” for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement. A succession of critically acclaimed shows followed, most notably Force Majeure, which became the most extensive comedy tour ever, playing in more than 45 countries and in all 50 U.S. states. The one-and-only Eddie Izzard’s The Remix Tour Live promises to be an unforgettable night of thought provoking, intelligent and surreal stand-up comedy. This event contains adult language or content. Stages Productions musical revue Let Freedom Sing! celebrates American history in the Amaturo Theater on Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. This high-energy firecracker explodes with facts about our great nation from 1776 through the dark days of the Civil War and right into 2009 with the inauguration of a new president. Filled with colorful songs and historical figures such as Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this multi-media event honors our nation's past and leaves audiences proud to be an American. Recommended for grade levels 2 – 5, this event is presented as part of the Smart Stage Matinee Series of performances that are ideal for charter, private, public and parochial school students and home-school networks. These educational performances are curriculum-driven and align with Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards. Free study guides called “Curriculum Connections” are available to download on the Broward Center’s website. This production offers an optional added Smart Stage Plus interactive learning experience, a 30-minute workshop featuring a Broward Center teaching artist. Nikki Glaser: The Alive and Unwell Tour brings one of the funniest female voices in comedy today to the Au-Rene Theater at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25th in an event presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Outback Presents. She has been honing her shockingly honest, no-holds barred style of comedy for nearly two decades at clubs across the country, on television and as the host of three hit podcasts. Her first HBO special, Good Clean Filth, was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special and was followed by the recent HBO special, Someday You’ll Die. The Nikki Glaser Podcast, launched in March 2021 through iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network, is peppered with her sense of humor and honesty to help keep listeners sane, well-informed and laughing through life. Currently, she hosts and executive produces Lovers And Liars (formerly Fgirl Island), the female spinoff of the hit HBO Max reality dating series Fboy Island, which Glaser hosted and executive produced for three seasons. She also hosted, co-created and executive produced the critically acclaimed and daring comedic show Not Safe With Nikki Glaser for Comedy Central and Nikki & Sara Live for MTV. A VIP package is available. This event contains adult language or content. Disney in Concert Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas featuring South Florida Symphony Orchestra comes to the Au-Rene Theater on Saturday, October 26th at 8:00 p.m. Tim Burton's haunting holiday classic with a score by Danny Elfman will be screened live with audio and musical accompaniment by South Florida Symphony Orchestra. When Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's pumpkin king, accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers that even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. This event in the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Imagination Series is presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Also at the Broward Center in October, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida: Classical and Neoclassical Ballets (October 5th); and Symphony of the Americas: Holst - The Planets From Earth to The Beyond (October 6th & October 8th). Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at: https://www.browardcenter.org/ - Or: https://www.ticketmaster.com/ - By phone at: (954) 462-0222. In person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information, visit: https://www.browardcenter.org/ - Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/browardcenter/ - And: https://www.facebook.com/browardcentereducation/ - Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at: @BrowardCenter. Subscribe to our channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter. The Broward Center 2024/2025 Season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and Spirit. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 100,000 students annually. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33312. For more information, visit: https://www.browardcenter.org/ < Previous News Next News >

Together We Can Outrun Hunger: Feeding South Florida® To Host 12th Annual Outrun Hunger 5K Thu Mar 09 2023 17:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Helen And Jacob Shaham Make Landmark Gift To FIU Medicine By news.fiu.edu Jun 18, 2026 Florida International University And Herbert Wertheim College Of Medicine (FIU Medicine) Today Announced A Landmark $30 Million Gift From Philanthropists Helen And Jacob Shaham. In recognition of their generosity, the academic medical center currently under construction on FIU’s main campus, in partnership with Baptist Health South Florida (Baptist Health), will be named the Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center. “We’re proud to support FIU’s College of Medicine and the role it plays in our community,” said Helen and Jacob Shaham. “Expanding access to education and preparing the next generation of physicians is a meaningful investment of the future of South Florida and beyond.” Made possible through critical investment and support from the Florida Legislature – which has allocated more than $158 Million to date – FIU Medicine is partnering with Baptist Health, which will be the care provider and will manage the center’s operations. The seven-story facility, slated to open in 2028, will feature academic learning spaces and outpatient multi-specialty services, including same-day surgery and diagnostic imaging. These services will make it easier for the community to access high-quality outpatient care while helping train the next generation of physicians at a time when the U.S. faces a growing doctor shortage. “This is a landmark moment in the history of Florida International University,” said FIU President Jeanette M. Nunez. “Helen and Jacob Shaham’s extraordinary generosity will further elevate the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and accelerate our vision to build a world-class academic health center that transforms lives. Their investment is a testament to their belief in FIU and our role in transforming the future of health care.” The Shahams are visionary leaders in senior living who built The Palace into a nationally recognized model of excellence in senior communities. Their commitment to quality, dignity and innovation has impacted countless families. Deeply invested in giving back to the community, they have employed and mentored FIU alumni and supported leading health institutions, including Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, key academic and clinical partners of FIU Medicine. “This extraordinary gift reflects both the Shahams’ vision and their confidence in FIU’s growing impact across our community,” said FIU Board of Trustees Chair Carlos A. Duart. “The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center will expand access to care while advancing education and research that directly benefit South Florida.” The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center will anchor FIU’s growing clinical enterprise, integrating education, research and patient care to establish a premier hub for academic medicine in South Florida. The Shahams’ unrestricted gift advances FIU’s commitment to expanding access to high‑quality care, training future physicians and scientists, and strengthening the region’s health ecosystem for generations to come. “This transformative gift empowers us to focus on what matters most—our students, scientific discovery and providing top quality health care” said Dr. Juan C. Cendan, Dean of FIU Medicine and Senior Vice President for Health Affairs at FIU. “By expanding scholarships, we will create new opportunities for talented future physicians who both reflect and serve our community. With strengthened research support, we will drive breakthroughs that enhance patient outcomes. The Helen and Jacob Shaham Academic Medical Center will serve as a shining example of academic medicine and compassionate care.” L to R: Dr. Juan C. Cendan, Dean, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (FIU Medicine); Helen Shaham; Jeanette M. Nuñez, President, FIU; Jacob Shaham; Carlos A. Duart, Chair, FIU Board of Trustees. Helen and Jacob Shaham moved to the U.S.A. from Israel in 1980 and founded The Palace Group of Senior Living Communities. (Credit: Jasen Delgado for Florida International University) Previous Next