President’s Message | December 2025

President’s Message
December 2025

To Our Philanthropic Family,

As our celebration of 75 years of caring for our community comes to an end, we want to thank you for your steadfast dedication and your vision of tomorrow. Because of your philanthropic engagement, we are on the cusp of redefining cancer care for South Florida through the Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As our teams prepare for the opening in mid-2026, we recognize the significant strides and construction progress made this year and look forward to what’s ahead.

In February, we celebrated the official ‘Topping Out’ of the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center, marking the completion of the highest point of the building’s structure.

After this milestone, our construction teams finished the interior wall framing, ductwork, and mechanical work. This process included mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler installation. Our teams also completed the conduit, piping, ladder tray, and required supporting elements – all necessary steps before the final finishes.

Our construction process has been aided by building information modeling, a computer software that stages 3D digital coordination of the work. This program resolves or eliminates conflicts and guarantees that the completed products will fit in their allotted space.

Today, our team is working to round out the project, working floor-by-floor, ensuring every detail is perfect.

The newest, cutting-edge imaging equipment will be delivered in early December, and its installation will continue through the end of the year.

We are expecting our Temporary Certificate of Occupancy in February, which is also when we expect the last of the furnishings to be delivered and installed, marking one of the final steps of this journey. Our care teams, who have been preparing virtually, will shift to in-person preparation. They’ll participate in “Day In the Life” simulations while being acclimated to the new, elevated spaces – all in anticipation of an early May opening.

This newest addition to our Miami Beach campus will allow our physicians to deliver unparalleled cancer care in a completely patient-centric, high-touch, high-tech environment.

Lead by Dr. Steven Hochwald, the Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chief of Surgical Oncology, the new building will house our expert team of physicians and surgeons, empowered by the newest technologies and equipment. We continue our aggressive physician recruitment efforts in preparation for the opening, aiming to enhance the already expansive expertise of our medical staff.

In addition to our robust clinical offerings, Mount Sinai will provide a plethora of support services at the new center.  Directed by a compassionate and dedicated group of experts, our support programs will offer individualized care plans to help our patients and their loved ones. The services, some existing and some newly established, provide the tools our patients need to wholistically navigate their journey, while feeling truly supported mentally, and physically.

These include both generalized and specified support groups, with virtual and in-person options, offering the flexibility and accessibility that are crucial for patients.

Topics range from caregiving, to young adult patients, to survivorship.

Alongside the support groups, spa services, make-up classes, acupuncture, and wig fittings, as well as stylings, will be available to patients. These forms of self-care alleviate stress, boost confidence, and allow for much needed levity and relaxation. Various forms of therapy – including art therapy and pet therapy – will be made easy and approachable for patients who need support and comfort during difficult times.

Lastly, our psycho-oncology program, developed by Dr. Regina Melchor, partners with medical, surgical, and radiation oncology to provide a comprehensive approach to managing patient care. Our “I CAN” method helps patients focus on the promotion of lifestyle changes, self-acceptance, self-management strategies, and overall well-being throughout survivorship.

Like our other offerings, psycho-oncology is adaptable and personalized – our aim is to support our patients in the ways they need most.

At Mount Sinai, we recognize that every piece of the cancer journey is multi-faceted and unique.

Because a patient’s perspective about their needs may change throughout treatment and survivorship, we’re proud that the Irma and Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center will provide such a wide arrangement of services to adapt to their needs.

As cancer incidences continue to rise, we are determined to meet growing demand with expert care, dedication, and precision. With increased access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, Mount Sinai will provide hope and a second chance at life for South Floridians facing cancer.

We want to extend our immense gratitude to Irma and Norman Braman and all of the lead donors who have contributed to this monumental project.

I hope you enjoy reading more news and updates in this newsletter and thank you for your dedication to our mission.

Sincerely,

Gino R. Santorio
President & Chief Executive Officer