West Kendall Baptist Hospital’s Wholesome West Kendall Launches its Certification as an AARP Age-Pleasant Neighborhood

Initiative Builds Commitment to a Healthy Community for All

November 3, 2022 – Healthy West Kendall, an initiative by Baptist Health West Kendall Baptist Hospital, hosted a kick-off reception with community and business leaders to celebrate its certification of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The AARP Age-Friendly Community designation recognizes West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Healthy West Kendall’s commitment to improving quality of life for all age groups. Serving as co-chairs of the Age-Friendly Community initiative are West Kendall Baptist Hospital CEO Lourdes A. Boue and Leon Medical Centers Vice President of Leon at Home Division Jose. A Linares.[cid:[email protected]]

“We encourage and support our community to live their best life and stay healthy and active,” said Lourdes A. Boue, CEO of West Kendall Baptist Hospital and co-chair of Healthy West Kendall’s Age Friendly initiative. “We are excited to be part of AARP’s Network, which includes more than 676 communities across the United States that share the desire to foster programs that address all aspects of well-being across the age spectrum.”

Age-friendly communities strive to promote active, happy and healthy lifestyles for people of all ages through interconnected domains of livability, which include outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services. In March of 2017, Miami-Dade County joined AARP’s Age-Friendly Community initiative, followed by the State of Florida in April 2019, named the fourth Age-Friendly State in the United States.

Approximately 20% of West Kendall residents are age 60 and older, “Our aging population is in need of special services and by having the input of many agencies and individuals, we ensure that we develop programs specifically for this audience, as well as for all residents,” said Michelle Mejia, assistant vice president of West Kendall Baptist Hospital and leader of the Healthy West Kendall initiative.

West Kendall Baptist Hospital, along with local business partners, schools, universities, government agencies, and community leaders launched Healthy West Kendall in 2014. The program aims to create a thriving and vibrant community by addressing health and wellness, economic vitality, educational opportunities, quality-of-life issues, safety and more.

About Baptist Health South Florida

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 25,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 100 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 FacebookInstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

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