Baptist Health Foundation Installs John Uribe, M.D. as José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics
CORAL GABLES, FL — May 12, 2023 — John William Uribe, M.D., a dual Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and chief medical executive at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care was installed as the José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 27 at the home of Cecil Milton and Ana VeigaMilton in Coral Gables. The program was led by Bo Boulenger, President & CEO of Baptist Health; Joe Natoli, EVP and chief administrative officer of Baptist Health; Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation; and Jack Ziffer, Ph.D., M.D., EVP and chief clinical officer, chief physician executive of Baptist Health; followed by a presentation by Dr. Uribe.
The endowed chair was established in 2023 with a $3 million gift from the José Milton Foundation and will support Dr. Uribe’s research work in orthopedics. In gratitude for the Foundation’s support, the gift was recognized with the naming of the José Milton Foundation Waiting Area at the Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Sports Medicine clinic, which houses Dr. Uribe’s medical offices and is located at 1150 Campo Sano Avenue in Coral Gables.
“We are very grateful to the José Milton Foundation for this generous gift,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “It will support the first endowed chair at Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute — an important milestone for Baptist Health. This endowment will allow Dr. Uribe and his team to pursue advanced orthopedic therapies and treatments for patients throughout our community.”
Dr. Uribe is a world-renowned specialist in orthopedic sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. He is the team physician for the Miami Dolphins football team and Florida Panthers hockey team, professor and chair of the Department of Orthopedics for Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and a founding member of the UHZ Sports Medicine Institute. He has led several research studies in orthopedics, orthopedic surgery and sports medicine and published his findings in numerous prestigious medical journals. Funds from the endowed chair will support his research work in minimally invasive resurfacing techniques of the knee and shoulder, as well as ligament and tendon restoration, among other areas.
“It is truly an honor to accept this endowed chair,” said Dr. Uribe. “I thank the José Milton Foundation for their immense generosity in supporting the science of orthopedic medicine at Baptist Health. We are excited for the opportunity to lead in the field of orthopedics research, making discoveries that result in less-invasive surgical techniques, quicker recovery times and better quality of life.”
"As a beneficiary of Dr. Uribe's and his exceptional team's orthopedic expertise, I am inspired to help make sure the orthopedic team at Baptist Health continues to help as many people as possible,” said Cecil Milton, Trustee of the José Milton Foundation. “The José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics will provide Dr. Uribe the resources to conduct and apply research that will ultimately improve outcomes and better serve our community."
Added Ana VeigaMilton, Esq., President of the José Milton Foundation, “My family foundation’s main focus is to increase access to quality healthcare. Our investment in Dr. Uribe, as the inaugural holder of the José Milton Foundation Endowed Chair in Orthopedics, and Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute will help fund research that will offer greater insight into orthopedic care and therapies. We are excited to see the Institute continue to grow!”
In 2019, Baptist Health Orthopedic Care opened its flagship, the Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute, on the Doctors Hospital campus in Coral Gables. This 49,000 sq. ft., four-story facility houses most of the program's orthopedic specialties under one roof, including an ambulatory surgery center. The Center also serves as a clinical trial site for new orthopedic surgery techniques, novel implants and genetically engineered cartilage, bone and revolutionary biologics.
Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is part of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, which is known for its expertise in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine, with nearly 82,000 patient office visits and more than 5,300 surgeries a year. Baptist Health Orthopedic Care is comprised of highly specialized, Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians. They are supported by advanced practice providers and athletic trainers. Physicians and support staff provide sports medicine services for pro athletes including the Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, Inter Miami CF and Florida Panthers, as well as high school and collegiate athletic programs and international sporting events. They also treat professional and Olympic athletes from around the world.
About Baptist Health Foundation
The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
About the José Milton Foundation
The José Milton Foundation works to continue the legacy of founder and family patriarch, Architect José Milton, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit, generosity, common sense, determination, fiscal responsibility, and love for South Florida. Mr. Milton, a Cuban immigrant of Lebanese heritage, arrived in Miami with a dream, a brilliant mind for business, and a degree in Architecture from Universidad de La Habana. He leveraged his education and strong work-ethic to become a successful entrepreneur, developer and builder, and inspiring leader who loved South Florida, to him the most beautiful place on Earth. Mr. Milton understood the value of education and commitment in a society free from government oppression. In addition to the many buildings and communities he developed, he founded the José Milton Foundation (est. 2012, first grant 2013) under the premise that his legacy support programs and organizations in South Florida that improve quality of living, with a special focus on education, research, and access to quality healthcare. Sons Cecil, Frank, and Joseph Milton serve as Trustees of the Foundation. Grandchildren Alec, Diana, Daniella, Eric, Jessica, Joseph Jr., Justin, and Nicholas serve on the Junior Board, and daughter-in-law Ana VeigaMilton serves as President. www.MiltonPhilanthropy.org
About Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 27,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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