The pledge of $60 million by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus to Miami Children’s Hospital on Mar. 15 and the 65-year-old institution’s newest developments were detailed to a West Kendall audience on May 27.
The hospital officially adopted its new name, “Nicklaus Children’s Hospital,” on Mar. 20 in honor of the golfing professional and his wife.
The Miami Children’s Health Foundation, which raises funds for the health system, currently is aimed at raising $150 million by 2017 in its “Together for the Children” campaign.
“The last few months have been particularly exciting at the MCH Foundation as we are close to the expansion and renovation of our Emergency Department, including 72 state-of-the-art exam rooms, and the pediatric trauma center,” said Jacky Donate, director, Major Gifts for the MCH Foundation.
Together with Ann Marie Noriega, operations manager for the West Kendall Outpatient Center, she appeared before the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Hammocks District Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide an update on progress of the hospital’s expansion while Noriega spoke for the institution’s multiple outpatient centers in Miami- Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
“We are going vertical” with the construction of the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion that will enhance the care environment at the main hospital campus,” Donate explained.
The 212,000-square-foot, six story pavilion will incorporate the latest medical technology and family-friendly enhancements, making possible conversion of the hospital’s critical care units to private bed rooms.
The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provide care for critically ill newborns and children referred for advanced care by increasing numbers of hospitals throughout Florida as well as the Caribbean, she said.
Equally important in hospital expansion plans is a growing network of Outpatient Centers, including the West Kendall facility located within the London Square Shopping Center at 13400 SW 120 St.
“We are seeing a steady increase in the numbers of people who use our trauma and emergency care facilities,” Noriega said, noting that, with one exception in Weston, most offer after-hours urgent care services as well as pediatric rehabilitation, imaging services and subspecialty medical appointments. Other centers are located in Weston, Doral, Miami Lakes, Midtown (Miami), Miramar, Palm Beach Gardens and Palmetto Bay.
“We are also planning to expand our ninth center on Bird Road in the area near Kendall Regional Medical Center,” added Noriega, who noted continuing growth of two West Kendall volunteer programs — one for FIU medical students and a second for youth age 15 and older who are interested in medical professions.
Walk-in hours for infants through age 21 are provided in the West Kendall Urgent Care Center Monday-Friday, 3 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., by board-certified physicians. For general information, visit MCH.com/WestKendall or telephone 786-624-5363.
Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava will be the featured speaker at the next Hammocks District CAC meeting, June 24, 7:30 p.m., in the District Headquarters Building, 10000 SW 142 Ave. Open to the public, light complimentary refreshments are served at each session.
