Florida
ACHE of South Florida Member Spotlight January 2024: Haroula Norden – Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report
By Lois Thomson
If you had to use one word to describe Haroula Norden, you couldn’t find a better one than “passionate.” As Chief Operating Officer of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Norden holds the type of position she dreamed about when she was young.
“I started in healthcare when I was 19, and when I was in school, getting my masters degree, I always thought I wanted a position like this. I wanted a position that could affect large groups of people – the patients we serve, the community, our employees – and give me the opportunity to make big decisions on a large scale. I always thought being in a role like this would be something I would enjoy doing, something I would be passionate about.”
In her position, Norden is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospital, including the centers of excellence, and overseeing the team that oversees the ancillary operations of the hospital. “I always liked that role,” she said. “When I was young, I would look up (at the COO) and think, “What a great job, that person has their hands in everything.”
She went on to say that healthcare is something you have to be passionate about, because it’s not an easy job, and you’re making a number of decisions that are extremely important – because you’re dealing with people’s lives. “You definitely have to have a passion for it, and to me, it’s always exciting, it’s always something I liked to do, and I liked learning about it.”
Along with the responsibilities themselves, Norden loves having the opportunity to work with what she calls the brilliant people in the healthcare field. “They’re smart and creative, I love being able to learn from and collaborate with people who are so smart and have the same kind of passion that I do; they’re here to provide good, quality, safe care for people.”
But if you think Norden is passionate about her work at Boca, let her tell you about being a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), for which she will serve as president in 2024. “ACHE is an organization that helps healthcare executives keep up with what’s going on. I’ve always been very active and involved in this organization. It’s the only professional organization that gives healthcare executives the opportunity to get board certified, showing their commitment to the healthcare field.”
She considers the important aspects to be the ACHE’s focus on lifelong learning, networking with colleagues, furthering education, and early career development for young professionals. “I think those things are so important for someone starting out their career – or in the middle of their career or at the end of their career. Healthcare is a field where you constantly have to be at the top of your game, you constantly have to know what’s going on because it changes so rapidly.” Norden pointed out that ACHE is a national organization with more than 48,000 members, so members can connect with people across the country, and learn from them and what they’re doing.
She has been a member of ACHE for nearly 15 years and has served on the board for seven years. This is her second turn at the presidency; the first was in 2020, during COVID, and she said that time gave the members an opportunity to rebrand the chapter.
Norden has now agreed to run again because, she said, “The message I want to get out, the theme of the second year is the importance of stepping up and getting involved. As much as you benefit from (ACHE), people benefit from your leadership and from your ideas, and from you stepping up and saying, hey, I want to do this because I want to take this organization further. If it’s important to you, you need to find the time and step into leadership, don’t stay on the sidelines.”
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A 64-year-old man accused of trying to kidnap a 74-year-old woman with whom he’d had a romantic relationship was arrested May 31, according to Port St. Lucie Police on June 1.
Jose Tsu Zamora was jailed on charges of attempted kidnapping while armed with a firearm; battery on a person 65 years of age or older; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; aggravated stalking (violation of injunction); and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police stated.
Zamora, a resident of North Miami, was apprehended May 31 by police and U.S. Marshals in Hialeah.
The case began about 10:49 a.m. May 31 as police investigated an incident at First United Methodist Church on Southwest Prima Vista Boulevard.
“The investigation revealed that Zamora, who previously had a romantic relationship with the victim, approached her in the church parking lot despite an active injunction prohibiting contact,” police stated. “According to the investigation, Zamora … attempted to force the victim into a vehicle against her will while armed with a handgun.”
Two good Samaritans confronted Zamora, telling him to let go of the woman, police stated.
During the confrontation, police stated, Zamora is accused of “displaying a firearm before retreating to his vehicle and fleeing the scene.”
Video surveillance depicted Zamora pursuing the 74-year-old woman in the parking lot, restraining her and trying to “force her toward a vehicle.”
Zamora ultimately was taken into custody in Hialeah.
He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on $745,000 bond, according to police.
Zamora was arrested in March in St. Lucie County on charges of possession of a firearm or ammunition by convicted felon and tampering with evidence, though the latter charge ultimately was dropped, according to St. Lucie County Clerk’s records. The case is continuing through the court system, records show.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
TAMPA, Fla – Tampa homeowners could soon see lower property tax bills under a new proposal that aims to significantly increase the state’s homestead exemption.
Proposed homestead exemption expansion
What we know:
A new state proposal aims to significantly lower property tax bills for homeowners by expanding the current homestead exemption. Tampa homeowner Jeff James noted that current property tax rates have become unaffordable for seniors living on fixed incomes. James explained that a 50% reduction in property taxes would allow local families to redirect their money toward essential costs like groceries or childcare. “It will help the people that have, you know, three or $400,000 houses, property tax-wise, the older people, retired people that sometimes can’t even afford just a property tax payment,” James said.
The Historic Capitol building stands in Tallahassee, where state lawmakers and local leaders are deeply divided over the long-term impact of expanding the homestead exemption.
Timeline for tax changes
By the numbers:
According to the proposal, the state homestead exemption would increase from the current $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027. The exemption would then jump to $250,000 in 2028. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the primary purpose of the change is to make homestead property tax-free, calling the potential shift historic.
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference advocating for constitutional tax relief, stating that the new homestead proposal aims to make primary residences completely property tax-free.
The other side:
Some residents spoke to FOX 13 off camera, expressing fear that the massive tax cuts could eliminate necessary community services. Property taxes are a primary funding source for local schools, public safety, infrastructure and emergency operations. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor urged voters to carefully consider the services they might lose before casting their ballots. “They see ‘tax cut,’ of course; everybody wants that,” Mayor Castor said. “But think about the services that you’re going to lose if you do vote.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor addresses reporters at a local infrastructure site, warning voters that a massive reduction in property tax revenues could trigger steep cuts to vital city services.
Budget adjustments and spending
What they’re saying:
“There are a lot of people here and maybe not in this little area, but right outside of this area that need that help,” James said. He suggested that local governments could protect emergency services by cutting superfluous spending instead of cutting public safety. “Move money around the right way and not make sure it doesn’t reduce police, fire department, everything else,” James said.
Future ballot measures
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet detailed how local municipalities will balance their budgets if the tax revenues disappear. Because the changes require a special amendment to the state constitution, it remains unknown whether voters will approve the measure when it hits the ballot this November.
The Source: Information in this story comes from interviews done by FOX 13’s Danielle Zulkosky, a press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Fox 13 interview with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
In 2025, the Ole Miss Rebels’ PA announcer came over the mic and proclaimed “B.T.A.” after they beat the Florida Gators 34-24.
That Rebels team has some key pieces coming back for their 2026 campaign, but they will be playing a totally different Florida team. However, if the Rebels did what they did last year, they will have a great chance of beating the Gators this season.
Kewan Lacy Repeat
Last year, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. He had himself a day, and though he will be going against a different defensive style in 2026, it is still a scheme that he and the Rebels have seen.
The Florida Gators hired new head coach Jon Sumrall last winter to bring back a winning mindset to Florida.
Ole Miss got to see the defense Sumrall runs twice this past season when he was the head coach at Tulane. Lacy rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns in their two games against Tulane.
If Lacy does what he did last year to the Gators, the Rebels have a great shot to win this game.
The Trinidad Chambliss & Deuce Alexander Connection
In addition to Lacy having two great games against Sumrall’s defense, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and wide receiver Deuce Alexander both showed out as well.
Chambliss threw for 589 yards and threw three touchdown passes. He also rushed for an additional 148 yards.
Furthermore, Chambliss showed a lot of patience in the pocket and progressed through his reads quite well. He just tore apart Tulane’s defense, and a lot of that happened with the help of his receiver, Alexander.
Alexander had the most receptions in both games against the Green Wave. He totaled 11 catches for 181 yards and one touchdown.
Chambliss found Alexander down the field a lot in both these games, and the duo will be a huge threat to the Gators in 2026.
Take Florida seriously
Florida has struggled in the past few years, but they are no cake walk. In their last two seasons, they have gone 12-13 but have proved they can beat good teams.
This includes upsetting Ole Miss and ruining their playoff run in 2024. That game was in Gainesville, where the Rebels will return for the game against the Gators in 2026.
The Florida Gators have made many moves to their roster and coaching staff. This team is a lot different from last year. A new team has the ability to surprise a lot of people.
Golding and the Rebels must recognize that and prepare diligently for a battle against the Gators.
The Rebels have a better team going into this game, and if they can repeat what they did so well against Sumrall’s defense last year, they will walk out of Gainesville with a huge win in what could be an early turning point of the season.
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