More than 300 guests gathered on Oct. 13 to celebrate the success of the Together For The Children campaign with a special preview unveiling of the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion (APCP). One of the seven priorities of Together For The Children, the new six-story, 212,000 square-foot state-of-the-art family centered facility is equipped with the most advanced tools and technology essential to ensure our young patients with the best care possible. The Together For The Children campaign surpassed its original fundraising goal of $150 million in record time! This event also served as a thank you for the overwhelming generosity from the corporations, private donors and community who contributed to making this goal a reality.
During the program, prominent leaders of Miami Children’s Health System, Miami Children’s Health Foundation, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital came together for the ribbon cutting and to share a few words about this exciting endeavor. Guests also heard from the Espinosa family, Claudia and Ralph who shared their son Ralphie’s story. Ralphie was taken to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital at birth after having aspirated meconium in the womb, and was placed on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine that saved his life. Ralphie’s parents shared their amazement at the new facilities and how families like them will benefit from the new technology and added comfort.
The event also included the announcement of a $1.5 million pledge from West Coast University in support of nursing education at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. This gift demonstrates the joint commitment to nursing education, which will ensure the continued delivery of nursing care to children through family-centered bedside manner and respect for the dignity, values, religious and cultural beliefs of children and families. To read more about West Coast University’s pledge, click here.
The new state-of-the-art APCP, the first freestanding pediatric facility of its kind in South Florida, offers an enhanced care environment and additional family-centered amenities including a park-like plaza where patients and their families can take a break and enjoy the fresh air. Colorful foliage, waterfalls, music, outdoor seating and lively landscaped walls surround the area which will also host activities such as movies and interactive games for patients and their families. There is nothing more important than giving critically ill and injured children the greatest chance to heal and every aspect of the APCP will provide our patients the opportunity to do just that.
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