Longtime Orlando VA director named regional director in Pennsylvania
Tim Liezert, a former longtime director of the Orlando VA Medical Center, is moving to Pittsburgh.
The VA announced on Aug. 8 his appointment as the network director of VA Healthcare in Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The main offices of the network — known as VISN 4 — is in Pittsburgh. He will oversee nine VA campuses, 44 outpatient clinics and 17 vet centers.
Liezert was the director of Orlando VA Medical Center from 2006 to 2017. He was promoted to the acting network director for VA Healthcare in Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, known as VISN 8, a position he held until February 2018. He has been serving as the acting network director for VISN 4 since February.
“Mr. Liezert has experience with complex health care environments and I am confident that he will provide a fresh and dynamic perspective for our VA health care facilities located across Pennsylvania and sections of Ohio and Delaware,” said Renee Oshinski, acting deputy under secretary for Health Operations and Management in the Veterans Health Administration, in a news release.
Orlando VA officials said his replacement in Orlando has not been announced.
In brief
Vista Clinical Diagnostics, a lab service in Clermont that serves skilled nursing facilities, is collaborating with Antibiotic Adjuvant, the creator of SmartSteward, to improve responsible use of antibiotics, the companies announced during the Florida Healthcare Association Conference and Expo in Orlando.
The two companies will allow skilled nursing facilities that are using both their systems to access real-time data.
“Implementing an effective antibiotic stewardship program in nursing homes is tough because most facilities don’t have access to infectious diseases expertise,” said Guy LaTorre, CEO of SmartSteward, in a news release. “SmartSteward analyzes the lab data and provides confidential physician feedback so doctors can improve their antibiotic prescribing habits.”
Arosa+LivHOME has agreed to acquire The Cameron Group, a provider of care management and home care services in Orlando, which was established in 1999. This is Arosa+LivHOME’s fifth acquisition this year. The transaction is pending regulatory and licensure approval. Amy O’Rourke, president of The Cameron Group, is joining LivHOME.
Village on the Green, a senior living community in Longwood, broke ground on a $56 million expansion and redevelopment project, including 20 new residential living villas and a new health and wellness center. The expansion will also include 36 assisted living apartments, 18 memory care suites and 48 skilled nursing care suites.
St. Cloud Regional Medical Center completed the renovation of its Intensive Care Unit in July. The renovation is part of a larger project, including the opening of a new ER in September 2018 and a new ambulatory medical office building, which will open next year.
Orlando Health’s proton therapy center, the only in Central Florida, reached the milestone of 500 patients in July. The center opened in April 2016.
Cornerstone Hospice Care Center on the campus of Orlando Health’s Health Central Hospital is now open. The 10-suite care center is part of the new Orlando Health Center for Rehabilitation.
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Bronze Quality Achievement Award for its commitment to best care for stroke patients. South Lake Hospital officially became part of Orlando Health in December 2018. The two hospitals had a joint partnership since 1995.
Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital has received The Joint Commission’s Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification for delivering quality care and patient safety.
Two Central Florida doctors — Dr. Lara Hitchcock of Orlando and Dr. Raul Tamayo of Lake Mary — have joined MDVIP, a national membership-based health care company with more than 100 affiliated physicians in Florida and a total of 950 primary care physicians nationwide.
Steve Kramer, president and CEO of the Mayflower Retirement Community in Winter Park was elected to the LeadingAge Florida Board of Trustees in the association’s recently convention in Orlando.