Gift Funds Renovations in UMH Orthopaedic Suite

Thanks to the generosity of a prominent South Florida family, patients visiting the orthopaedic outpatient suite at the University of Miami Hospital will now find enhanced clinical care in the exam rooms and a modernized look in the waiting area. The renovations to Suite 2, located on the hospital’s first floor, are courtesy of a $100,000 gift made by University of Miami supporters, Hedy (B.B.A. ’87) and Daniel Whitebook.

A plaque honoring the Whitebooks’ support is on display in the newly renovated lobby of the orthopaedic outpatient suite.

The Whitebook family toured the suite recently and were shown the plaque honoring their commitment to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics.

“It is an honor and pleasure for the Department of Orthopaedics to be the recipient of the generous funding from the Whitebook Family,” said Frank J. Eismont, M.D., chair of the Department of Orthopaedics, Leonard M. Miller Professor, the George and Marla Bergmann Endowed Chair in Orthopaedics, chief of the Orthopaedic Spine Service, and director of the Spine Fellowship Program. “With the vision of the Whitebooks, the Department can provide advanced patient care to those who are in pain. Philanthropy makes it possible for our most talented faculty members to continue to cure debilitating bone diseases.”

The exam rooms are now equipped with specially designed “hip chairs,” which help patients who suffer from hip-related ailments, or who are recovering from surgery, to sit and rise more easily. There are also electronic exam tables that can be raised or lowered, making for a more comfortable experience for both patients and physicians.

In addition to the refurbished waiting area, patients also have access to a computer resource center that helps to decrease patient check-in time and provides information on different topics in orthopaedic medicine.

The renovations not only provide additional comfort for patients but also improve the quality of clinical training for medical students and residents.

The Whitebook family was inspired to make the pledge after meeting with Gregory A. Zych, D.O., professor and chief of orthopaedic trauma in the Department of Orthopaedics, the Christine E. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Orthopaedic Trauma, and associate chairman for clinical affairs at the Miller School of Medicine.

The Whitebooks have a deep commitment to the University. Their son-in-law, Harold Rivner, M.D., is married to daughter, Jolie, and is a resident in the UM/Jackson Memorial Hospital internal medicine program.

Hedy’s brother, Stuart Kloda, M.D. ’95, completed both his undergraduate and medical studies at UM

In addition to the pledge to the Department of Orthopaedics, the Whitebook family has also supported UM’s Frost School of Music and School of Communications.

The family is involved in South Florida’s Jewish community. Hedy Whitebook currently serves as a vice chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. She and Daniel have co-chaired the Pacesetter Event, and Hedy chaired the Israel and Overseas Committee.

In 2011, she was recognized with the Robert Russell Fellowship Award, which honors a community member who has shown an active interest in the Federation and Jewish communities overseas.

Whitebook also served for seven years as president of the Kesher School, a North Dade school for children with learning and developmental disabilities. Their son, Adam, is a graduate of the school. Hedy is a former board member of the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE) of Miami and a former member of the board of governors of the Scheck Hillel Community School.

Daniel Whitebook currently serves as president and managing director of Atlantic Hosiery. He is a native of Miami with deep roots in the community. He feels that it is important to give back to the Miller School of Medicine, so that it will continue to be a world-class center.

The Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is the only full-service, multidisciplinary, academically based orthopaedic department in South Florida with fellowship-trained faculty. Each year, the Department administers care through 45,000 outpatient and 9,000 orthopaedic emergency room visits and performs more than 10,000 surgical procedures. The faculty and staff are dedicated to treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions, conducting life-altering research, and training tomorrow’s generation of orthopaedic surgeons.

Tags: Department of Orthopaedics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, University of Miami Hospital