Education is changing the face of Krome Avenue The visionary behind Dade Medical College says there is much

more to come By MIKE DILL Ernesto Perez is a successful business man, with a strong vision of what he wants to bring to Krome Avenue and downtown Homestead. Perez, the chief executive officer of Dade Medical College, saw an opportunity and took it when he decided to expand the college and bring a campus to Homestead. What we have seen, is a great opportunity in Homestead, Perez said. It has a small town charm and it is an incredible place. Perezs vision of his campus in Homestead is still in the beginning stages, but many can already see a change coming to the Downtown Historic District. Dade Medical College was founded in 1999. Its first campus, located in Miami, offered students degrees in radiology and massage therapy. As it expanded to different communities, Dade Medical College began offering more degrees for students. Now students can obtain degrees in Nursing, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, General Radiologic Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant and Medical Billing & Coding. Dade Medical College opened its Homestead Campus in 2009. Its diverse programs are designed to deliver on the requirements necessary for students to compete for a medical career in todays marketplace. Our idea is to provide a healthcare education to those who couldnt go the traditional means, Perez said. Our first responsibility is to educate the students so they are able to obtain the knowledge they need. According to Time Magazine, careers in the medical field have the highest demand, and will continue to have that demand in the future. For Perez, his goal is to ensure the students of Dade Medical College receive an excellent education to help meet the demand for jobs in the medical career. Dade Medical College provides students with a quality based education, Perez said. When our students leave here, they are ready to take their certification. We pay for their certification - it is included in the program. And we help place them in a career. Along with providing students with an education, Dade Medical College has a positive impact in the community.

The school has already garnered the support of the Homestead City Council. Members of council have seen that changes that have already been implemented and are pleased with what Perez and Dade Medical College have brought to Homestead. The economic impact Dade Medical College has brought to Homestead is huge, said Homestead Mayor Steve Bateman. Two years ago you would look down Krome Avenue and only see a few people a day. Now you see about one hundred students, teachers and administrators every day. They are a blessing to downtown Homestead. Perez and Dade Medical have also reached out into the community and shown great support for MAST @ Homestead the new medical magnet school that opened one year ago. Last year, Dade Medical made a donation to the school that was used to purchase computers for the students. Recently, Dade Medical donated $10,000 to the school. For us, it is a tremendous opportunity for our students to have Dade Medical College in our community, said Greg Zawyer, principal of MAST @ Homestead. Mr. Perez has been phenomenal as a contributor to our school. I think what they are doing for Homestead is great. The idea to begin Dade Medical College came to Perez when he was selling radiology machines from Finders Medical Depot. According to Michael Mut, Corporate Director of Marketing for Dade Medical College, the inspiration for the college came from the realization of people asking Perez how to use the machines that he was selling. There was a demand for selling the machines, said Mut. Perez said Hey, why dont we give this a try? That led to starting the school and gaining accreditation. From there Dade Medical College has grown into what it is today. After leasing its main building, located at 381 N. Krome Avenue in 2009, Dade Medical College currently owns six buildings in downtown Homestead. Interior renovations were completed on the buildings, adding classrooms and laboratories. One thing Perez did not change was the exterior of the buildings to maintain the historic look of Krome Avenue. Our intent with the buildings that we have acquired is to maintain the faade and historical integrity of the buildings, Perez said. We want to keep the community in mind.

Dade Medical College recently purchased the Country Hearth Inn a known haven for drugs and prostitution, located at 304 N. Krome Avenue. Perez said the plan is to make that a new dormitory for students. This is one of the best things that could have happened for the city, said Homestead Police Department Chief, Alexander E. Rolle Jr., about the purchase of the hotel. I applaud and commend the college for what they are doing for Homestead. They are helping improve the safety of the residents and businesses on Krome Avenue. In just two years, a change can already be seen on Krome Avenue. But this is just the beginning to what Perez has planned for Dade Medical Colleges Homestead Campus.