Jim DeFede, an award-winning writer, commentator, and radio personality, has had a distinguished career in Miami media. From his investigative reporting for CBS4 News to his columns in the Miami Herald and Miami Monthly Magazine, DeFede has established himself as a prominent voice in South Florida. However, beyond his professional accomplishments, DeFede's personal journey, particularly his experience with weight loss, offers an inspiring look at health, choices, and the pursuit of a better quality of life.
A Health Scare and a Turning Point
In June, Jim DeFede underwent emergency surgery to remove fluid from around his heart. This health scare served as a major turning point in his life, prompting him to take serious action regarding his health and well-being. Following the surgery, DeFede embarked on a weight loss journey that yielded impressive results.
The Path to Losing 63 Pounds
DeFede revealed that he had lost 63 pounds since April. His weight loss strategy involved a combination of portion-controlled meals and regular exercise. He opted for portion-controlled meals from Diet At Your Doorstep in Coconut Creek, a service advertised on his show, prepared by chef Mario Bladimirsquy. In addition to dietary changes, DeFede incorporated exercise into his daily routine, walking about a mile and a quarter every night.
The Importance of Making Informed Decisions
DeFede's health scare and subsequent weight loss journey underscore the importance of making informed decisions about one's health. His choice to address his weight and improve his lifestyle demonstrates a proactive approach to well-being.
Radio Career and Other Endeavors
Before joining WFTL, DeFede hosted a morning show on WINZ, AM940, and was named "Best AM Radio Personality" for 2007 by New Times Broward-Palm Beach. After his show on WINZ-AM (940) ended on Aug. 31, he moved to WFTL-AM (850) in early December. DeFede's one-year deal with WINZ expired on July 24, but the station asked for an extension through Aug. 31, to which he agreed. When WINZ offered another two months as that deadline neared, DeFede wanted long-term and ultimately cut a two-year deal with WFTL with the help of agent Andrew Korge. During his "down time" before returning to radio, DeFede planned to get a trainer.
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Navigating Healthcare Challenges
DeFede's experience with a leg injury highlights the challenges individuals face when navigating the healthcare system. Waking up one morning with a severely swollen leg, he faced a dilemma: go to Jackson Memorial Hospital, known for its excellent doctors and nurses but potentially facing longer wait times due to financial difficulties, or opt for Aventura Hospital, which touted short ER wait times.
As a reporter who had been covering the financial problems at Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH), DeFede considered going to Jackson's ER to witness firsthand the impact of cutbacks and layoffs. However, the growing pain in his leg and the allure of Aventura Hospital's advertised short wait time led him to choose the latter.
DeFede's decision reflects a common concern among patients: the desire for prompt medical attention, especially during emergencies. While he felt guilty about not going to Jackson, knowing that paying patients like him were needed to support the hospital, the immediate need for care outweighed his sense of obligation.
His experience underscores the importance of accessible and efficient healthcare services. Jackson needs to find a way to convince people that they can go there. If there was a number for me to call to see what the wait time was at Jackson, I would have checked there as well.
A Moment of Reflection
While being wheeled for an ultrasound at Aventura Hospital, DeFede had a moment of reflection, questioning whether the short ER wait time was worth the potential uncertainty about the quality of care.
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This moment highlights the importance of considering factors beyond convenience when making healthcare decisions. While timely access to care is crucial, patients also need to feel confident in the expertise and resources of the healthcare provider.
The State of Jackson Memorial Hospital
DeFede shared his experience with Martha Baker, the president of the union representing Jackson's nurses and doctors, who acknowledged the challenges the hospital faces in attracting patients due to negative perceptions.
Baker said making Jackson easier to "navigate" is one of the areas the hospital needs to improve. The consultant the union recently hired has been focused on improving things in the ER. "What we are trying to do is get those people to start going to Jackson's clinics, where they can see primary care physicians and not have to crowd into the ER," she said. Baker said there can sometimes be a 12 hour wait time for an ER patients to get admitted into the hospital. "We need to fix these problems and build public confidence again," she said.
Addressing Systemic Issues in Healthcare
The situation at Jackson Memorial Hospital reflects broader systemic issues in healthcare, including funding challenges, staffing shortages, and the need for improved patient access and communication.
Efforts to address these issues are crucial to ensure that all individuals have access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their ability to pay or the financial stability of the healthcare institution.
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The Allure of Weight Loss Medications
The rising popularity of weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has led to manufacturing shortages, highlighting the growing demand for these medications. While GLP-1 class medications have proven effective in reducing cardiovascular risk, treating diabetes, and facilitating weight loss, health experts caution against microdosing these drugs due to potential risks and side effects.
Novo Nordisk and Lilly can't keep up with demand for their weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. Dr. GLP-1 class medications reduce cardiovascular risk and treat diabetes. But they also allow people to lose an average of 10-20 percent of their body weight in the first year.
Exposing Corporate Greed and Political Influence
DeFede's investigative reporting has also shed light on corporate greed and political influence, as exemplified by his series of articles titled "Micky Arison Is a Greedy Corporate Pig." These articles criticized Micky Arison's efforts to secure public funding for a new waterfront arena for the Miami Heat and exposed alleged tax evasion schemes and exploitative labor practices within Carnival Cruise Lines.
DeFede's reporting revealed that Arison had pumped a staggering amount of cash into the campaign coffers of politicians, Democratic and Republican alike. He does it personally through individual contributions, and he does it through the cruise industry’s political action committee, the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL). In the 1998 congressional elections alone, Arison wrote checks totaling more than $27,000 to a dozen candidates ranging from Republican Sen. Alfonse D’Amato of New York to Florida’s Democratic stalwart, Bob Graham. The cruise industry’s ICCL donated $168,146 to various candidates in 1998. Republicans received $89,146 while Democrats raked in $79,000. And which House member benefited most from ICCL largess? None other than Miami Republican Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who garnered $6500. Diaz-Balart sits on the Rules Committee, arguably the most powerful committee in the House.
Uncovering Exploitation and Injustice
DeFede's work has also uncovered instances of exploitation and injustice, such as the substandard working conditions and pervasive racism experienced by Carnival Cruise Lines employees, as detailed in Kirk Nielsen's article, "The Perfect Scam."
Nielsen interviewed nearly two dozen of Arison’s “fun ship” employees, who describe not only substandard working conditions but pervasive racism. Korten’s article, “Carnival? Try Criminal,” examines allegations that Carnival Cruise Lines protects employees suspected of sexually assaulting passengers by obstructing investigations into the crimes.
The Power of Storytelling
DeFede's involvement with the musical "Come From Away," which tells the story of the rerouted planes that landed in Gander, Newfoundland, following the 9/11 attacks, demonstrates the power of storytelling to connect people and preserve important historical events.
Canada’s decision to accept rerouted planes led to 38 landing in the Newfoundland town of Gander. “It’s an aspect of the story that I don’t think has ever been fully appreciated, but deserves that acknowledgment that what Canada did was truly remarkable,” said DeFede, whose book earned him a Christopher Award in 2003. “Come From Away” is the musical rendition of the events in Gander. “What I really am happy about is the fact that the story of Gander is being told and it pumped new life into it.