Panter, Panter & Sampedro: A Firm with a Heart for Helping
Panter, Panter & Sampedro is a leading personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting Florida’s families. But the firm’s commitment to helping others goes far beyond the courtroom.
One of the firm’s most visible community partnerships is with Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI). Panter, Panter & Sampedro has been a supporter of CHI since 2018, and the firm has donated more than $10,000 to benefit the Children’s Crisis Center. In recognition of the firm’s generous support, Panter, Panter & Sampedro was recently inducted into CHI’s Fire Starters Society.
“We’re proud to be helping the community,” said Mitch Panter, managing partner of Panter, Panter & Sampedro. “We’re proud to be part of a group that’s helping children, that’s helping families, that’s helping women in need. And anything we can do to assist in that spirit is well worth it.”
Panter, Panter & Sampedro’s support of the Children’s Crisis Center will make a real difference in the lives of children and families in our community. The Children’s Crisis Center will be a vital resource for children and families in South Florida. The center will be a pillar in our community, providing a safe and supportive environment for children who are experiencing mental health crises.
“There is a clear need for the center’s services, and we are proud to do our part to help meet that need,” said Panter. With only $332,801 left to raise for the Children’s Crisis Center, the firm’s donations help to ensure that CHI continues to make progress on the construction of the center.
In addition to supporting CHI, Panter, Panter & Sampedro is also involved in a number of other community initiatives. The firm sponsors the CHI Golf Tournament, and it provides scholarships to students at Miami Killian Senior High and Palmetto Senior High. Panter is also a member of the Pinecrest Business Association, the Buddy Bench Foundation, Paws 4 U and other community organizations.
“We like to help the community to the best of our ability,” said Panter. “Whether it be with our time, our resources, or the law firm backing, we want to do what we can to make a difference.”
Panter, Panter & Sampedro continues to be a valued CHI partner, and the firm’s commitment to giving back is evident in its support of the Children’s Crisis Center. The Children’s Crisis Center is a beacon of hope for children and families in crisis. With the support of the firm and other partners in our community, we can ensure that the Children’s Crisis Center will be able to provide its essential services and make a real difference in the lives of the children in our communities who need it most.
To learn more about the Children’s Crisis Center and show your support, visit chisouthfl.org/give.
Our Compassionate Team Serving You
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Semein “Junior” Ayala has been an Outreach Worker at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) since April 2022. He is based out of the Everglades Health Center and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. He also works on CHI’s Mobile Medical Van. Ayala serves as a crucial link between the community and CHI’s health centers. He dedicates himself to educating the community about the services provided by CHI, helping individuals navigate Medicaid and insurance coverage, and frequently organizing events. Ayala deeply treasures the relationships he builds with people, considering it his greatest achievements to secure their access to high-quality healthcare. On the weekends, he enjoys resting at home, watching tv and preparing delicious meals for his family.
Semein Ayala stands in front of CHI’s Mobile Medical Van
Rubis Vergara Ramirez is an APRN at CHI’s South Dade Health Center. She started working at CHI in 2011 as a Site Manager at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center. She enjoys working with minority groups and the underserved population. Now as an APRN, she works directly with patients and prides herself on providing the very best care. Her favorite part of the job is hearing success stories from her patients who are in better health after their visits. When Vergara Ramirez isn’t saving lives at CHI, she loves to cook, go to the beach and travel.
Rubis Vergara Ramirez, employed at CHI for more than a decade, at South Dade Health Center
CHI Hosts Annual Men’s Health Fair
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(from left to right) Oscar Gonzalez, CHI’s Vice President of Logistics and Facilities, Kenneth Gould and son, Juan Lopez, Benjo Reyes and son, and CHI’s Director of Information Technology, Jose Carmona, pose for a photo at CHI’s Men’s Health Fair.
The Doris Ison Health Center was abuzz with contagious enthusiasm as men belted out lyrics to select songs in an energetic karaoke session. The excitement was all for CHI’s Men’s Health Fair. It was a joyous atmosphere of men coming together to advocate for and celebrate a shared commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
The annual event, hosted by Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI), brought together a diverse group of men eager to engage in fun activities with family and friends.
Attendees enjoyed relaxing massages, engaging games of dominoes and basketball and the hit of the evening, the NBA draft on the big screen. They also had the opportunity to discover essential health resources such as prostate health education and testing, mental health support, colon health screenings, plus blood pressure and glucose screenings.
CHI’s Executive Vice President and Chief Behavorial Health Officer, Jean D. Pierre, believes that offering health events like this to the community creates an opportunity for men to be conscious of their health.
“By monitoring your physical and mental health, you gain valuable insights into your body’s needs.” He said. “Regular and preventative check-ups, screenings and self-awareness empower you to catch potential issues early, prevent future complications and allows you to take charge of your overall well-being.”
Along with important health screenings and education, a handful of the guests also won raffles. Among the prizes were two signed basketballs by NBA legend, Glen Rice, Miami Heat tickets, a 40-inch TV and gas cards.
The event showcased CHI’s continued dedication to provide accessible healthcare services to the South Florida Community.
A Message From The President & CEO
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It feels like summer is just flying by us. I hope you are enjoying some time with your families and remembering to take precautions in the extreme heat.
We have had so much to celebrate this summer. We graduated our seventh class of doctors from the Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center program. Soon after, we welcomed in ten new residents to begin their training with a white coat ceremony.
Many of you are now preparing to send your kids back to class and CHI is here to help. Schedule your school or sports physical now with our compassionate pediatric team and schedule an appointment with our amazing vision and dental teams to cover all the bases for the kids.
We are excited to celebrate National Health Center Week festivities starting August 5th. This is a time where we highlight the value of community health centers all over the country, including Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI). Did you know that community health centers care for 30 million people (about the population of Texas) across the country? There are 1400 community health centers in the United States and CHI is one of the largest. We are proud to be caring for our community and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare regardless of income or background. So, join us in learning more about CHI, the people we serve, community health centers and celebrating a week’s worth of events. You can see the schedule here:
chisouthfl.org/nationalhealthcenterweek
We are also celebrating the accomplishments of a great team here at CHI. That includes our own Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah. He was recently awarded the Jessie Trice Hero Award from Health Choice Network. This distinguished award acknowledges his strong and strategic leadership and devotion to healthcare for all.
Yours Truly,
Blake Hall
The Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center Celebrates 2023 Graduation and White Coat Ceremony
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All smiles: Teaching Health Center leadership proudly stand with the 2023 graduating class
Family medicine graduate, Dr. Katina Richardson gave her commencement speech at the seventh annual Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center graduation ceremony as her fellow graduates shared proud smiles, reflecting on their transformative residency.
“Our paths were not easy, and the challenges were immense, but it was in these moments that we discovered our true strengths, resilience, and commitment to our professions,” she said. “CHI has given us the tools to go out and make a profound impact in the lives of our patients and community.”
After three long years, their special day had finally arrived. The intimate ceremony held on June 10th at Pinecrest Gardens celebrated four family medicine residents and three psychiatry resident graduates. The incredible accomplishment stood as a testament of their determination, perseverance and appetite for knowledge and growth as medical professionals.
A reflection of Community Health of South Florida’s Inc. (CHI) commitment to community health care, this group of doctors showed the organization’s dedication to innovation and growth.
“The strength of our program is a result of these talented residents,” said President and CEO, Blake Hall. “We are so proud of you, and we love you.”
CHI’s Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Academic Officer of the Teaching Health Center, Dr. St. Anthony Amofah, smiled from ear to ear as he addressed the graduates in an emotional speech.
“Congratulations to the graduates, you did it!” he said. “We thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your training. Graduation is not the end but rather, the beginning of a beautiful journey for you.”
Keynote speaker, Chief Medical Officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers, Ron Yee and Florida State Representative, Alina Garcia, also provided touching sentiments to the graduating residents during the ceremony.
The residents faced unique challenges during their residency, most notably a global pandemic that changed resident training and their patient care approach. However, through it all, they were able to adapt seamlessly and become better professionals.
As one class celebrated their accomplishments, CHI then welcomed the newest resident graduates on June 26, 2023. The White Coat Ceremony was the Teaching Health Center’s ninth incoming class since its start in 2014.
With five family medicine and five psychiatry residents, the ceremony signified an incredible milestone in their career. The room buzzed with anticipation as residents and their proud family and friends eagerly awaited the special moment. Dr. Amofah welcomed them and noted the significance of the moment.
“We are very grateful that we get to celebrate this important milestone with you,” he said. “Faculty and program leadership reviewed about 2,500 applications to select the 10 of you. So, it is a big deal that you are here today, for you and for us.”
The newest resident class of the Teaching Health Center pose for their first group photo at the Doris Ison Health Center.
Psychiatry resident Dr. Thaimy Del Prado expressed her elation to begin her journey as a practicing clinician in her hometown of Miami.
“I am excited about meeting new people,” she said. “I’m looking forward to expanding my medical knowledge and giving back to my community.”
As each resident donned their white coats, Dr. Amofah left them with an important message.
“As you put on this white coat today, it is important that you don’t see it as a symbol of power and authority,” he said. “When you put it on, we want you to remember it is a symbol of service to humanity. This white coat must represent big hearts, compassion, empathy, and professionalism.”
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