The tale that grew in the telling

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Dedication to Mount Sinai Medical Center's Mission Yields Successful Results

MIAMI, March 31 /PRNewswire/ — Demonstrating the fortitude to address a challenging healthcare environment, president and C.E.O. Steven D. Sonenreich has led Mount Sinai Medical Center to financial stability and successfully reinforced its image as a healthcare leader. The most recent audit posted on March 26 reports nearly $14 million in profit for 2009. Mount Sinai experienced an overall 5 percent growth in revenue from $497 million in 2008 to $524 million in 2009, while controlling a targeted 1 percent increase in expenses. As of the end of 2009, the combined medical center and Foundation reported 108 days cash on hand.

Heart Care with the Best Results

According to the Agency for Healthcare Administration Statistics, Mount Sinai had been the region's leader in heart care for more than two decades. However, this lead began to shrink in 2008. To achieve success, Sonenreich recruited Dr. Joseph Lamelas in 2008 to join the hospital as a chief of Cardiac Surgery. A pioneer in minimally invasive valve surgery, Dr. Lamelas is the most successful cardiac surgeon in the tri-county area. His mortality rate is 67.5% below the expected rate of mortality as forecast by the state of Florida based on his volume and complexity of procedures.

The new cardiac surgery team attracted 51 percent more patients growing from 430 cardiac surgeries in 2008 to 649 in 2009 and instituted efficiencies that continue to save the hospital thousands of dollars per procedure. The infection rate is significantly below national benchmarks and length of stay is cut in half. Patients are back on their feet in less than two weeks. Even Canadian Prime Minister, Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador, chose Dr. Lamelas to fix his heart last month saying, "This was my heart, my choice, and my health."