History of Plaza Health Network
The Plaza Health Network was born in 1954, when a group of Jewish women from Miami Beach founded the Hebrew Home of Miami Beach, a 12-resident convalescent home for elderly Jewish people and war veterans.
The first Hebrew Home prospered as a convalescent home/assisted living facility and later, as a nursing home. In the 1960s the organization received a gift of $1 million from a grateful patient, Mr. Morris Newmark. With these funds, a second facility – The Hebrew Home of North Dade – was built in the early 1970’s.
The organization continued to grow under the leadership of Leonard Zilbert, Chairman, with the strong support of the Women’s Auxiliary. In the early 1990’s, Russell Galbut and Dr. William Zubkoff joined the board, bringing added expertise in real estate and health care administration to the team.
With this strong leadership, Hebrew Homes was now well prepared for the challenges posed by changing demographics in South Florida. In the late 1990’s, the network acquired, renovated and began to operate three additional facilities – Ponce Plaza, Jackson Plaza and Arch Plaza.
Growth continued in the first decade of the new millennium. The Hebrew Homes acquired Plaza North in 2002, Sinai Plaza in 2003 and South Pointe Plaza in 2005. The network’s name was changed in 2006 to Hebrew Homes Plaza Health Network, which is known today as Plaza Health Network.
Today five of the seven centers are rated as five star facilities by the U.S. Government Centers on Medicare and Medicaid services. Jackson Plaza is a JCAHO Accredited facility. Plaza North is under construction and will become an assisted living facility when completed. The network serves over 900 patients.
Rehabilitation has become an important part of our service offering. Services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and creative arts therapies. We constantly upgrade our rehabilitation equipment to ensure facilities remain state-of-the-art. We emphasize rehabilitation because we are committed to helping patients be the best they can be, and perform at the highest possible level.
Our flagship Falls Prevention Program helps patients with their balance and gait, speeding recovery and helping folks return home wherever possible. And our latest acquisition, the Tibion™ Bionic Leg offers breakthrough technology, allowing stroke survivors, patients with orthopedic injuries and neuromuscular disorders walk again, even if they have been in a wheelchair for years.
Many things have changed since the Hebrew Home of Miami Beach opened its doors more than half a century ago. However, our core values remain the same: providing the right care…at the right time…in the right place…with dignity and respect for each and every patient.