CHI’s Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center Celebrates 2020 Class With Virtual Graduation, White Coat Ceremonies

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”21119″ img_size=”800×600″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”21118″ img_size=”800×600″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”30px” down=”30px”][vc_column_text]June marked a special occasion for Community Health of South Florida, Inc., (CHI) and the Brodes H. Hartley Jr. Teaching Health Center’s class of 2020. After months of hard work coupled with the challenges of fighting a global pandemic, four family medicine residents, one OB/GYN, and three psychiatry residents were honored on Saturday, June 20, at the teaching health center’s first-ever virtual graduation.

In compliance with CDC guidelines and social distancing, the graduation ceremony was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, while a small group gathered at CHI’s main campus to award the residents their certificates.

“This year, we achieved significant milestones together,” said Dr. Elizabeth Philippe, Chief of Family Medicine, Associate Director of Medical Education, and Program Director for family medicine. “Our residents presented themselves as leaders for social justice and the underserved community. We became fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and overcame unprecedented obstacles, from COVID-19 to telemedicine to the ever-changing healthcare system.”

This year’s graduation was very different from past commemorations, which hosted a trove of families, friends, faculty, and former residents at CHI facilities but there was no shortage of joy and pride among those attending the virtual event. Dr. Ajoy Kumar, former president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and a passionate advocate for the teaching health center, delivered the keynote address.

On Wednesday, June 24, CHI also held a virtual White Coat Ceremony to welcome in a new class of residents. The donning of the white coat is a symbol of passage for incoming residents. Each individual must take on the responsibility of becoming a physician for the community. This role is no easy feat and one that requires compassion, engagement, and a lifelong dedication to CHI’s slogan, “Patient Care Comes First.”

“I am very proud of our graduating class and thrilled to welcome our incoming residents,” said Dr. Saint Anthony Amofah, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical and Academic Officer. “Now more than ever, training the next generation of healthcare professionals is extremely important, and our teaching health center is keeping us well-positioned to deliver comprehensive quality care for everyone.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]