MIAMI, FL – July 28, 2022 – Baptist Health Foundation announced that IVFMD, a fertility medicine practice founded by Juergen Eisermann, M.D., has made a $1 million gift to Baptist Health Foundation in support of South Miami Hospital, part of Baptist Health.  The gift will help fund several programs at the hospital, primarily supporting women, infants and children.

Baptist Health recognized the gift with the naming of the IVFMD Fertility Obstetrics Classroom at a reception at South Miami Hospital on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.  The newly named classroom is located on the third floor Maternity Department at South Miami Hospital. Baptist Health Foundation, South Miami Hospital and IVFMD leaders were in attendance to honor Dr. Juergen Eisermann and IVFMD for their donation.

“We sincerely thank IVFMD and Dr. Eisermann for this very generous gift,” said Alex Villoch, CEO of Baptist Health Foundation. “Their longtime partnership has been making a difference for maternity patients and their newborns at South Miami Hospital, and their support will help us enhance the services we provide.”

The IVFMD donation will benefit a broad array of initiatives at South Miami Hospital. Of the total amount provided to the hospital, $500,000 will be directed to the Center for Excellence in Nursing, which provides education, training, technology and other services for nurses; and the Child Development Center, a program that evaluates infants and children for potential problems that might require treatment, therapy or parent education.

The balance of the gift will fund programs at the hospital’s Center for Women & Infants, including a bedside transition nurse position, breast milk donations, infant sleep sacks and NICU cameras and beds.  It will also be used to purchase recliner chairs for patient rooms and support the hospital’s Grow2Heal garden.

“This gift is wonderful news,” said Bill Duquette, CEO of South Miami Hospital.  “It will go a long way in helping the hospital sustain programs that benefit so many.  Nurses, mothers, fathers, newborns, preemies and older children alike will be impacted by this gift – and our community will be stronger as a result.  We greatly appreciate Dr. Eisermann’s support of South Miami Hospital and his many years of service to our community.”

Founded by Dr. Eisermann in 1989, IVFMD has been affiliated with South Miami Hospital since 1991.  The practice of reproductive medicine and infertility expanded under Baptist Health, and soon became one of the most successful IVF providers in South Florida.  Dr. Eisermann helped to develop a number of minimally invasive surgical techniques to assist women trying to conceive, and has been instrumental in educating OB/GYNs in Latin America on these procedures. His relationship with fellow attending physicians, nurses and staff at South Miami Hospital became the foundation for his long-term commitment and support.

“My two younger daughters were born at the hospital, and a significant number of our successful IVF patients consider the hospital their birthplace of choice,” said Dr. Eisermann.  “Helping build happy families seems to be a natural joint mission for both my IVFMD practice and South Miami Hospital, and that’s why I decided to give generously and from the heart.”

About Baptist Health Foundation

The mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to inspire philanthropy and build extraordinary donor relationships in support of excellence, innovation, community wellness and global leadership in healthcare at Baptist Health South Florida. Through philanthropy, the Foundation supports and expands Baptist Health’s ability to provide outstanding patient care and bring the latest treatments to patients and families affected by a serious illness. Donor contributions also allow the Foundation to assist Baptist Health facilities in keeping pace with technology and equipment advances, perform cutting-edge research and offer continuing education opportunities to medical staff. Learn more at BaptistHealth.net/Foundation.

About Baptist Health South Florida

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 24,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 150 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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