Passionate about healthcare and the pressing need to raise critical funds for the ambitious expansion plans for Doctor’s Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida, philanthropists Sid and Ashley Perkins hosted an intimate reception and discussion at their Coral Gables home.

The guest of honor was John William Uribe, M.D., chief medical executive and founder of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care of Doctor’s Hospital. Co-hosts included: Judy Zeder, Baptist Health Foundation Council Chair, Doctor’s Hospital and Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute, and force behind the nation’s number one real estate team, The Jills Zeder Group, along with Javier Hernandez-Lichtl, Chief Executive Officer, Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Chief Academic Affiliation Officer.

A world-recognized dual board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Uribe has been instrumental in Doctors Hospital’s success over the course of his 40-plus year career, spearheading its orthopedic and sports medicine practice. The team physician for the Florida Panthers hockey team and the Miami Dolphins football team, Dr. Uribe also serves as Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics for Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Guests were given a private preview and overview of the highly anticipated plans by Judy Zeder and Javier Hernandez-Lichtl who highlighted the need for critical funds to underwrite the hospital’s next stage of development. Philanthropic support will position the hospital and institute to expand surgical and imaging services, support educational fellowship programs, and grow physician’s research studies.

“Doctors Hospital is the gold standard for orthopedic and sports medicine care treatment in the country. In order for it to continue to be at the leading edge, the campus must also evolve and be enlarged and we are determined to meet the fundraising goals, so that we can continue to attract the best minds in medicine and grow its world-class orthopedic slate of offerings with a state-of-the-art facility and campus,” said Zeder, Foundation Chair, and healthcare advocate who also serves on the board of Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida. “All of these efforts will accelerate our trajectory to achieve the No. 1 Orthopedic Program in the US.”

“Miami has evolved over the years and Doctors Hospital has been at the forefront of innovation and excellence in orthopedic care, led by the pioneering work of Dr. Uribe and members of his team,” said Sid Perkins. “It is a privilege to host this important conversation and to open up our home for such a notable cause.”

The intimate affair, held alfresco at the Perkins’s residence featured canapes and cocktails. Notable guests included Cecil and Ana Milton, Brenda Moreira, Abby Portuondo, Gaetano and Jacqueline Caltagirone, Camilo and Nina Miguel, Anthony Caravetta, Lennie and Sierra Gullan, Ricky and Jennifer Weisfisch, Chaitanya Mehra, Sarah Taber, Kristen McMahon, Marc Troisi, Joe Natoli, and Ben Mollere.

“My deepest gratitude to Sid and Ashley Perkins for opening up their home and introducing their close friends to Doctors Hospital and Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute. Our orthopedic physicians are nationally and internationally leaders in their subspecialties. Their work is helping advance education, research and standards of care in both orthopedics and sports medicine,” said Javier Hernandez-Lichtl.

Located at 5000 University Drive in the heart of historic Coral Gables, Doctors Hospital has provided high-quality medical care to the community since 1949 and is recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence. Doctors Hospital offers general and specialized services, including orthopedics and sports medicine, cardiac care and sports cardiology, general surgery, robotic and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, geriatric medicine and pulmonary care. The emergency department at Doctors Hospital provides a high-tech, high-touch approach to medicine. The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art intensive care unit and provides a wide range of outpatient diagnostic services. The hospital is also home to the Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute. The 49,000-square-foot facility houses all of the Institute’s orthopedic specialties, including an ambulatory surgery center on the top floor.