South Florida 100

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

The top stories last week Tracey Grossman, chairperson, Florida Anti-Defamation League

It’s been two years since the massacre at PULSE. The LGBTQ community should know that they don’t stand alone — not in mourning, nor in activism for equality. Although some municipal laws have been passed and implemented, there is no state law preventing someone for being fired, evicted, or denied service because they are LGBTQ. There’s no state law mandating an enhanced penalty if a hate crime is perpetrated against someone based on their gender identity. As we mark PRIDE Month, let us declare that while we can’t bring back the 49 beautiful souls taken — we can still make them PROUD.

Walter G. “Skip” Campbell Jr., mayor, Coral Springs; former member, Florida Senate

The North Broward Hospital District just can’t get it right. Word on the street is that they ignominiously discharged Dr. Michael Chizner, M.D. without cause. This is the same doctor who raised $20 million dollars to open a world class cardiac center at Broward General and has treated many individuals throughout the world. Then, without notifying any of the new and respected board members, they allowed a $1.5 million a year extension of the CEO’s contract. This was an automatic extension which had no debate or review. Somebody needs to be watching out for us taxpayers.

Michael Dennis, M.D., chairman, Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine

After providing corrective surgery to children with birth defects in South Korea, I had the unique invitation from the regional medical center to cross over the DMZ into the North — an opportunity to see firsthand the condition of the people. Their squalid circumstances are beyond comprehension in every aspect of existence. Frankly, I had hoped the Singapore summit would yield some progress toward improving the human condition under Kim’s regime. But very little was apparently achieved even in the areas of denuclearization, sanctions, and international accord. It appears to be an agreement to meet again. A Nobel will require more.

Burnadette Norris-Weeks, attorney, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks, LLC

Curious about the actual language contained within the agreement between President Trump and Kim Jong Un, I performed a Google search to see the agreement for myself. The much talked about agreement says nearly nothing. It recognizes that mutual confidence building can promote the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and that the United States and North Korea desire peace and will join efforts. It also says that they will work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and commit to recovering POW/ MIA remains. Yes, that’s all. I will always root for Team America, but this first point goes to Kim.

Marlon A. Hill, partner, Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel

The biggest story of the week centers around the commencement of the most watched global sporting event: The 2018 FIFA World Cup. Despite the recent administrative turbulence around FIFA, the state of global political relations in trade, and an incomplete investigation of Russia’s meddling in our electoral process, the tournament continues to transcend any political discord and draws on the passion from all corners around the globe. This happens on the heels of the recent announcement of the award of the joint hosting of the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. A goal scored for regional unity.

Gerry Litrento, senior executive vice president, BankUnited

The untelevised acceptance speech of MSD theater teacher Melody Herzfeld, who won the Tony Award for education, eloquently addressed the need for arts in education: “As theater educators, we teach kids by giving them space to be critiqued yet not judged, giving them a spot in the light yet not full stage, creating a circle of trust in which to fail … giving students simple responsibilities that are beneath them to encourage character and stressing to them to be selective as they formulate relationships while welcoming every single side that exists in the world and also how to begin again.”

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc.

A lifesaving social media message was recently released and shared over 96,000 times on “dry drowning.” A mom wrote about her 4-year-old daughter who had a dry drowning accident that led her to the hospital days after the incident occurred. This was caused by a pool noodle, where her daughter inhaled water and immediately began choking. Although the choking stopped, she developed a fever and became fatigued days following. The water inhaled led to an infection in her chest caused by pool chemicals. The girl is OK and now home. Always be attentive to your children when they are swimming.

Sandra Bernard-Bastien, chief communications officer, Children’s Services Council of Broward County

In an era where the predominantly alpha-masculine disgraces grab the spotlight — rape, mass murder, terrorism, war, people trafficking, sexual harassment and domestic violence — an involved and positive male role model in a child’s life is all too necessary. Thankfully, there is an awakening around the harm perpetuated by negative masculine stereotypes, and fathers today seem willing to make that shift to show vulnerability every now and then: lose, cry and express their emotional turmoil. Male bonding and support is integral to a child’s well-being. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures out there!