Pineapple

This is the marker of the main entrance of South Miami hospital/Baptist Health on SW 62nd avenue close to US-1. Baptist Health's logo is the pineapple. Here is its history...

The pineapple became a symbol of hospitality in Europe during the Italian Renaissance period. American inn-keepers later adopted the European custom of putting pineapples on their doors, and visitors to these inns found themselves in friendly and comfortable surroundings.

When Arthur Vining Davis donated the land and funds to build Baptist Hospital, the magnate specified that a pineapple fountain greet guests at the front door. Guests would thus know that service here would be warm and friendly, such as in a good hotel. This pineapple fountain still exists today which is at the Baptist hospital on Kendall Drive.

Upon completion of their orientation program, all new Baptist Health employees receive a pineapple pin to attach to their hospital identification badge as a symbol of commitment to hospitality.