Broward Health Celebrates Donation from Rick Case Automotive Group President and CEO Rita Case

Mina Amini, director of medical staff; Jenna Merlucci, Vice President, Heart & Vascular Service, Broward Health; Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group; Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health; Manny Linares, CEO, Broward Health Medical Center; Donna Small, CNO, Broward Health Medical Center; Lauri Littleton, ACNO, Broward Health Medical Center; and Don Eachus, president, Broward Health Foundation (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

In Celebration of Women’s Health Month, Broward Health recently recognized Rick Case Automotive Group President and CEO Rita Case for her generous donation to the Broward Health Foundation, which enhanced cardiac care at Broward Health Medical Center.

Broward Health unveiled a plaque at the valet station and the elevator bay in the lobby of Broward Health Medical Center to honor Rita’s generous donations.

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group; Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health; and Manny Linares, CEO, Broward Health Medical Center (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

During her visit, Rita also donated CPR Anytime Training Kits and visited a female patient in the progressive cardiac unit, presenting her with a CPR kit.

“I want these ladies to take home these kits for their families,” Rita said. “Not only is heart disease the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., but a study by Duke University School of Medicine showed that women were 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR defibrillation than men. We want to turn bystanders into lifesavers by encouraging people to learn CPR, and by making CPR kits available, we can save lives.”

Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health; Dr. Jerry Capote, Chief Medical Officer, Broward Health; and Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

“Broward Health has been caring for our community for almost 90 years, and cardiac care has always been central to our care offerings,” said Shane Strum, President and CEO of Broward Health. “Thanks to generous donors and benefactors like Rita Case, who has been a pillar in our community for many years, we are able to make investments in cardiac services to ensure our patients have the latest technology and highest quality of care.”

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, with Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health, gives a CPR kit to a Broward Health patient (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

According to the American Heart Association, to save more lives from the 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside of the hospital every year, the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911 must increase, they must have access to high-quality CPR, and they must get and use an AED as soon as it is available. The importance of CPR kits cannot be overstated, particularly for children and infants. More than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year with 40% related to sports and nearly 20% are infants. Unfortunately, infant mortality rates in Broward County are on the rise, and the county leads the state with those numbers. Cardiac arrest accounts for 10 to 15% of sudden unexpected infant deaths.

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, and Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health, celebrate valet sign (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, and Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health, at the elevator sign (Photo Courtesy: Broward Health)

About The Rick Case Automotive Group

Founded in 1962, the Rick Case Automotive Group has been honored by Automotive News as the National All-Star Dealer and President and CEO Rita Case was named the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year. Rick Case Automotive Group is the nation’s largest female owned and operated automotive dealer group in America, offering Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, Ioniq, Volkswagen, Kia, Acura, Audi, Mazda, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Honda Motorcycles and E-Z-Go golf carts. Celebrating more than 60 years in business, the Rick Case Automotive Group has 12 dealerships in South Florida and Georgia. The South Florida dealerships are known for holding national sales records, consistently ranking among the top performers in markets they serve. Rick Case Automotive Group is headquartered at 14500 W. Sunrise Blvd. in Sunrise, Florida. For more information, visit www.RickCase.com.

About Broward Health Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty. Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 12,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $2 billion and annually provides almost $523 million of charity and uncompensated care. For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.