Mount Sinai Medical Center Announces Wayne E. Chaplin As New Board Chairman

Hospital welcomes new Board of Trustees appointments and members for 2012

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wayne E. Chaplin, president and COO of Southern Wine and Spirits of America, is the new chairman of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Board of Trustees. Chaplin previously served as the past vice chair of the Executive Committee at Mount Sinai.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120131/DC44991)

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Chaplin graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a bachelor's degree in business administration and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He joined Southern Wine and Spirits in 1984 and was appointed to his current position as president and COO in 1994. It is because of Chaplin's business prowess that the company maintains one of the industry's most innovative and efficient operations. His business philosophy has resulted in Southern Wine & Spirits becoming the largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States with operations in 35 markets.  

Chaplin is also a major driving force behind the annual South Beach Food & Wine Festival. Now entering its 11th year, the festival features a star-studded list of supporters from culinary heavy hitters to celebrities and gourmands the world over.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Chaplin is very active in philanthropic, civic and humanitarian efforts. He serves on other not-for-profit boards throughout the community that promote health and education. He also oversees his company's ongoing support of a wide array of national, state and local charitable causes ranging from education and humanitarian relief activities to numerous corporate social initiatives.

"Since our founding in 1968, we've taken a progressive, active and constructive role in community, state and national affairs. These are fundamental values of the company. At Southern, we want to 'give back,' and we strive everyday to be responsible members of the communities in which we live," said Wayne Chaplin.

Chaplin's appointment is among several the medical center announced as part of its new board leadership.

Mark H. Hildebrandt, president of Mark H. Hildebrandt, P.A., is the new vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. Hildebrandt is the immediate past president of the Mount Sinai Foundation, a past chair of the Young Presidents Club of Mount Sinai, a member of the hospital's Trustee Service Committee, and Finance Committee.

Bonnie Schaefer, former co-CEO and co-chair of the board of Claire's Stores, Inc., is the new president of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation. Schaefer has been actively involved with Mount Sinai in a variety of roles. She will continue to serve as a member of the hospitals' Executive Board of Trustees.

Mount Sinai Medical Center 2012 Executive Board of Trustees - New Members

Mount Sinai also welcomed two new members to its Executive Board of Trustees – Benny Klepach and S. Howard Wittels, M.D.

Klepach is the CEO and chair of Duty Free Air Supply, which has over 600 full-time employees operating on five continents and is the world's largest in-flight duty free specialty retailer.

Dr. Wittels is the chair for the Department of Anesthesia at Mount Sinai. He has been a member of the Mount Sinai Board of Trustees since 2001. In addition, Dr. Wittels is chairman of the Department of Anesthesia at the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He also has received multiple clinical research grants, and he is a published author in various medical journals.

About Mount Sinai Medical Center
Founded in 1949, Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest independent, private, not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida.  Mount Sinai's Centers of Excellence combine technology, research and academics to provide innovative and comprehensive care in Cardiology, Urology, Neurology, Oncology and Orthopaedics.  One of a select few statutory teaching hospitals in the state, Mount Sinai is the hospital of choice for those who seek the level of expertise and care that only a teaching hospital can offer.  The medical center's commitment to quality has garnered prestigious recognition, including designation for five consecutive years as one of America's Top Hospitals by U.S.News & World Report.

Contact: Joanna Palmer
306-674-2589

SOURCE Mount Sinai Medical Center