Kayvan Amini, Immediate Past President/Advisory Member, Broward County Medical Association/Health Information Exchange Coordinating Committee (HIECC)

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Kayvan Amini, immediate past president of the Broward County Medical Association and advisory member of the Health Information Exchange Coordinating Committee (HIECC), to discuss the evolving challenges facing physicians, the role of policy and technology in modern healthcare, and how Broward County is positioning itself for a stronger, more coordinated healthcare future. “Patients are not a bottom line,” Amini said. “They are humans, and we have to protect their life, their needs, and their future.”

What are the most pressing challenges physicians in Broward County are facing today, and where has the association been able to make the most progress?

One of the biggest challenges physicians face is structural. There are systems in place that impede their ability to care for patients effectively. This includes the rising cost of care, limited access to financial resources, and increasing pressure on private practices, particularly smaller, community-based practices. At the same time, it is important to recognize that the majority of patient care in our community is still delivered by private practices and community physicians.

Another major challenge is physician supply. Across the country, and certainly in Florida, we are experiencing a physician shortage. Many communities are already feeling the effects, and Broward is not immune. We are trying to be proactive by working closely with educational programs, regulatory boards, and state-level initiatives to ensure we are building and sustaining a future workforce that can meet community needs.

Administrative barriers also play a significant role. Prior authorizations, insurance denials, and delays for medications, testing, or procedures take time away from patient care and create frustration for both physicians and patients. We are actively working with legislators in Tallahassee to support policies that reduce these obstacles and allow physicians to focus on delivering care rather than navigating bureaucracy.

Liability costs are another serious concern. High malpractice premiums have led some physicians to reduce access to care, drop coverage, or leave the state altogether. During my tenure, we engaged extensively with legislators to address a bill that would have significantly expanded liability exposure. While we support fairness and accountability, excessive liability threatens physician retention and patient access. We were fortunate that the governor vetoed that bill, giving us time to pursue a more balanced, data-driven approach that protects families while maintaining access to care. That advocacy effort was a meaningful win for physicians and patients across Florida.

You have spoken frequently about physician retention and keeping young doctors in Broward County. What initiatives are helping move that needle?

Retention starts early. We know that physicians who train and complete residency in a community are far more likely to stay and practice there. I have been involved in developing mentorship programs and residency-to-practice pipelines that connect medical students, residents, and local healthcare leaders. These efforts help young physicians see a future for themselves in Broward County.

Through the Broward County Medical Association, we have expanded mentorship opportunities, educational programming, and our Business of Medicine Boot Camp. These initiatives help physicians understand how to build or sustain a private practice, navigate employment agreements, and make informed career decisions. When physicians feel supported, informed, and empowered, they are more likely to remain in the community.

We also partner with medical schools and academic institutions to strengthen connectivity between education and practice. That collaboration ensures students and residents are integrated into the local healthcare ecosystem early, reinforcing Broward as a place where they can build long-term careers.

Technology and artificial intelligence are becoming central to healthcare discussions. What should physicians understand about how these tools fit into their work?

Artificial intelligence presents both opportunity and responsibility. I currently serve as chair of a statewide artificial intelligence in healthcare task force, and what we see clearly is that AI has two sides. One is regulation, and the other is adoption.

From a regulatory standpoint, we must ensure transparency, integrity, and patient privacy. Artificial intelligence is not intelligent on its own. It is data in, data out, with processing in between. That means the quality of outputs depends entirely on the quality and integrity of inputs. Because healthcare directly impacts human lives, AI tools must be carefully regulated, validated, and overseen by physicians and providers.

The second side is adoption. AI can significantly improve efficiency, documentation, and workflow when used appropriately. Tools such as ambient AI, clinical decision support, and analytics can help physicians spend more time with patients and less time on administrative tasks. However, unlike electronic health records, there are no financial incentives driving AI adoption. Education becomes critical.

That is why we focus on continuing medical education programs, forums, and events that help physicians understand both the benefits and the risks of AI. Our goal is to ensure adoption happens thoughtfully and responsibly, with physicians maintaining control over clinical decisions.

How is the association helping physicians and patients navigate the evolving Medicare landscape?

Medicare is becoming increasingly complex, particularly as our population grows older and resources remain limited. Many Medicare Advantage plans are designed with cost containment in mind, but not all of them serve patients or physicians well. In some cases, they limit access to care and restrict physicians’ ability to deliver what patients truly need.

We conduct surveys and gather data from physician practices to better understand how these plans impact care delivery. That information allows us to work more effectively with policymakers at the state and national levels. Our goal is to advocate for policies that protect patients while allowing physicians to practice medicine appropriately.

Patients are not a bottom line. They are humans, and we have to protect their life, their needs, and their future. Cost efficiency matters, but not at the expense of access or quality. We want policies that strike a responsible balance and allow physicians to do their jobs without unnecessary constraints.

You have held leadership roles across multiple healthcare and policy organizations. How does that perspective shape your work in Broward County?

Serving across different boards and leadership roles has given me a unique vantage point. I see how hard people across the healthcare spectrum work toward the same goal, which is caring for patients and improving outcomes. The challenge is that everyone operates with different resources, priorities, and approaches.

What we need is coordination. When we bring healthcare providers, educators, legislators, business leaders, and community organizations together, we can identify gaps, share resources, and create measurable progress. That is the thinking behind initiatives like the Future of Healthcare Roundtable, where stakeholders come together not to promote themselves, but to identify shared goals and actionable solutions.

Broward County has incredible medical institutions, educational programs, and physician leadership. With better alignment, we can position the county as a leader in healthcare capacity, innovation, and workforce development.

Is there anything else you want readers to understand about your commitment to Broward County?

Broward County is home. This community helped shape me. I went to medical school here, I practice here, and this is where I want to stay. I feel a responsibility to give back and to help ensure future generations have the same opportunities I did.

The universities, hospitals, health systems, and businesses we rely on today were built by people who cared deeply about this place. Now it is our turn. By working together, sharing responsibility, and keeping patients at the center of every decision, we can create a healthier, stronger future for Broward County.