Healthcare in South Florida: Risks, innovation, and change

Healthcare in South Florida is shifting fast, driven by challenges and innovation.

This list of stories outlines risks in Miami’s booming plastic surgery scene — like office centers tied to tragic outcomes and unlicensed recovery houses — and financial shake-ups affecting hospitals.

Medicaid’s future is also uncertain as proposed federal budget cuts force local leaders and advocates to fight for vulnerable residents across Miami-Dade and Broward.

At the same time, major organizations like Nicklaus Children’s Hospital are teaming up with Broward Health to expand kids’ access to specialty care, and Miami Beach is exploring a “Blue Zone” wellness makeover to promote healthier living.

See the stories below.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Three employees leave Palmetto General Hospital through the emergency entrance on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Hialeah, Fla. By Sophia Bolivar

NO. 1: ‘LIKE IT WAS ABANDONED.’ CAN NEW OWNER HELP FIX THE PROBLEMS AT THIS HIALEAH HOSPITAL?

Unions representing hospital workers have spoken about staffing challenges, including the resignations of key staff members. | Published November 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Ana Claudia Chacin

A doctor now working in Pembroke Pines has a state complaint filed against him for his actions during a Miami Brazilian butt lift in 2021.

NO. 2: A WOMAN’S BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT IN MIAMI BECAME 2 WEEKS IN JACKSON WITH A TUBE INSIDE HER

A state complaint has been filed against the doctor who now has his own plastic surgery center in Broward. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

Nurses train to use the equipment of the operating room in the new Kenneth C. Griffin surgical tower at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The operating rooms of the new building are 800 square feet and among the biggest in the country.

NO. 3: ‘HOSPITAL WITHIN A HOSPITAL.’ NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S OPENS NEW SURGERY HUB WITH SPECIAL TECH

Here’s what we know | Published November 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

In this photo illustration, the CareMax logo is displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo by Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) *** Strictly for editorial news purposes only ***

NO. 4: A MIAMI HEALTH COMPANY IS IN BANKRUPTCY AND PLANS TO SELL. WHAT PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW

What will happen to the medical centers in South Florida? | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Florida has experienced an outbreak of measles, including among children in Broward County.

NO. 5: NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S AND BROWARD HEALTH TEAM UP FOR CARE. WHAT IT MEANS FOR PATIENTS

The initiative will give Broward Health pediatric patients access to certain Nicklaus specialists. | Published November 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Eliana Lancellotti, 37, right, performs lunges while exercising as Miami Beach Vice Mayor Tanya Bhatt and city officials hosted a tour for Blue Zones experts at South Pointe Park to assess the city’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. By Carl Juste

NO. 6: CAN MIAMI BEACH BE A HEALTHIER PLACE TO LIVE? HERE’S HOW A ‘BLUE ZONE’ WORKS

What are these lifestyle advocates looking for? | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Los estados enfrentan espinosos desafíos: asegurarse de no eliminar a personas que todavía califican, y conectar al resto con otras coberturas. By Dreamstime

NO. 7: IS MEDICAID AT RISK IN FLORIDA? HOW PROPOSED FEDERAL CUTS COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTHCARE

What to know about possible changes. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante

Miami police are investigating the death of Ahmonique Miller at 3637 SW Fourth St., which was being used as Keyla’s Recovery House. The address on the right, 3639 SW Fourth St., was used by Keyla Oliver for K&L Global Express and another address on Keyla’s Services. By DAVID J. NEAL

NO. 8: A NEVADA MOTHER CAME TO MIAMI FOR PLASTIC SURGERY. SHE DIED IN THE RECOVERY HOUSE

What happened is under investigation. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.