West Kendall Baptist Hospital names new Board chair, vice-chair

MIAMI - April 29, 2013 - PRLog -- West Kendall Baptist Hospital has named Aída Shafer chairman of its board of directors. She previously served as vice-chair. She replaces the late Tony Alonso, who died in October.

Shafer is owner of the certified public accounting firm Viciana & Shafer, P.A., in Coral Gables. She is a graduate of Florida State University and an active volunteer in local Christian organizations. She also serves on the Baptist Health South Florida board of trustees.

Scott Weston, a broker/partner with the commercial real estate firm Maddux and Company, has been named vice-chair of the West Kendall Baptist Hospital board. Weston serves on the board of trustees of Baptist Health, as well as the boards of the Baptist Health South Florida Foundation, Baptist Health Enterprises and Baptist Outpatient Services.

“Aída Shafer has served in various leadership positions in the Baptist Health network and is a founding member of the board of West Kendall Baptist Hospital,” said Javier Hernández-Lichtl, chief executive officer of West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “She has a deep knowledge of our operations and is well-equipped to lead our board as we continue to grow and expand our services.”

“I have big shoes to fill, as Tony Alonso was widely respected and loved throughout Baptist Health,” Shafer said. “He recruited me to serve on this board. As the hospital enters its second year of operation, I hope to continue his legacy of strong and principled leadership for the benefit of the residents of West Kendall.”

All board members serve as volunteers, without compensation. They also must abide by a rigid conflict-of-interest policy that prevents them or their family members from doing business with Baptist Health or any of its subsidiaries.

West Kendall Baptist Hospital celebrates its second anniversary this month. It is home to an accredited family practice residency program as part of a formal academic affiliation between Baptist Health and Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

Baptist Health, the region’s largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization, has more than 12,000 employees and is the area’s largest private employer. Baptist Health includes Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Baptist Outpatient Services and Baptist Health Enterprises. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health.

About West Kendall Baptist Hospital

The newest member of the not-for-profit Baptist Health South Florida family, West Kendall Baptist Hospital is a LEED Gold Certified, patient- and family-centered facility serving one of South Florida’s most vibrant, youthful and fast-growing communities. To learn more, visit WestKendallBaptistHospital.com