HOSPITALS

Baptist Health seeks to take over Florida Keys hospital

Baptist Health South Florida is in negotiations to take over a community-owned nonprofit hospital in the Florida Keys.

MIAMI-DADE

Baptist Health may take over Fishermen's Hospital

Baptist Health South Florida, already the largest nongovernment employer in South Florida, has announced it it has signed a nonbinding letter of intent about taking over operations at Fishermen's Hospital in Marathon.

Continucare revnue, earnings rise

Revenue rose 7 percent to $65.1 million in the first quarter at Continucare (CNU), the provider of primary physician services, while earnings edged up to $2.5 million, or 4 cents per diluted share, from $1.9 million, or 3 cents per share, in last year's quarter.

Pediatrix Medical Group profits fall with birth rate, more poor patients

Experiencing fewer births and more poor patients on Medicaid, Sunrise-based Pediatrix Medical Group's (PDX) third-quarter profits fell 5.5 percent to $37.4 million or 81 cents a share.

Noven Pharmaceuticals' revenues up for third quarter

Noven Pharmaceuticals, the South Miami-Dade drug maker, reported Thursday revenue for the third quarter of $25.7 million, an 18 percent increase over the $21.8 million for the same period last year.

Pediatrix reports lower profits

Again experiencing fewer births and more poor patients on Medicaid, Sunrise-based Pediatrix Medical Group reported Wednesday increased revenue but a decline in profits for the third quarter.

INVESTMENTS

MBF Healthcare Acquisition kills plan to buy homecare company

A Coral Gables blank-check company canceled a $420 million deal because of tough market conditions.

MBF Healthcare cancels purchase of Pennsylvania firm

In another clear indication of the slumping economy, MBF Healthcare Acquisition, a Coral Gables company headed by entrepreneur Mike Fernandez, announced Monday its $420 million deal to purchase a Pennsylvania company had been canceled.

N.C. hospitals quietly tempt South Florida's nurses

While South Florida hospitals suffer from extreme shortages in nurses, recruiters from a North Carolina hospital group slipped into the region this week to try to lure away the highly desired workers.

Survey: 1 in 6 Florida children without health insurance

With nearly 800,000 children without health insurance, Florida has the second highest rate of uninsured kids in the nation, according to a national survey released Thursday in Washington.

UM medical school dean wins cardiology honor

Pascal Goldschmidt, dean of the University of Miami medical school, has been awarded the first Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Prize in Cardiovascular Sciences, which comes with a minimum honorarium of $100,000.

MAKO Surgical gets $60 million equity financing

MAKO Surgical, a Fort Lauderdale company marketing a robotic arm, announced Wednesday it has entered into a definitive agreement for equity financing of up to $60 million from a group of venture capitalists and existing shareholders.

Two interim execs chosen to lead Jackson Health System

The Public Health Trust announced two interim executives to lead the Jackson Health System starting Jan. 1 after Marvin O'Quinn leaves the chief executive position for a job in a Catholic hospital group in California.

HEALTHCARE

New diabetes drugs called more costly, less helpful

Researchers say a longtime, cheaper generic should be used to treat diabetes instead of a newer and more expensive drug.

S. Florida employers struggle to keep healthcare premiums in check

The news could be worse: With South Florida mired in a recession, many employers appear reluctant to pass too much of their rising healthcare costs along to their workers.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Adverse drug reactions set record in U.S.

Thanks largely to two drugs -- heparin and Chantix -- the number of serious drug reactions reported to the FDA set a record in the first quarter.

HEALTHCARE

Panel shares healthcare goals at University of Miami forum

The United States needs a consensus for improving its healthcare system, but experts differed on the remedy at a University of Miami panel discussion.

Experts: Healthcare reform is needed, but what to do?

Saying she still had ''marks on my back from healthcare reform,'' University of Miami President Donna Shalala told 100 South Florida healthcare leaders Wednesday that the key to making major changes was getting a consensus.

Experts: Healthcare reform is needed, but what to do?

Saying she still had ''marks on my back from healthcare reform,'' University of Miami President Donna Shalala told 100 South Florida healthcare leaders Wednesday that the key to making major changes was getting a consensus.