News & Recognition | 2018 Annual Report | Nicklaus Children's Health System

News

A Regional First: Nicklaus Children’s Colorectal Center

When a child has a colon or rectum abnormality, the associated challenges can impact quality of life for the child and the entire family. To support affected families, the hospital in 2018 formed the Colorectal Center at Nicklaus Children’s, offering convenient medical and surgical care to support an active life.

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Sanjiv Bhatia, MD: A Tribute

Dr. Sanjiv Bhatia, neurosurgeon and Chief of the Department of Surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, passed away in 2018 after a brief illness. His passing has left an enormous hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

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ENRICH: Empowering Parents to Promote Childhood Language Development

A baby and a book. This is a powerful combination when a parent or family member brings the two together in an interactive way. In fact, reading to babies starting in the early days of life has been identified as a gateway to literacy, helping infants prepare to become tomorrow’s school children.

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Iconic Photographer Ann Geddes to Serve as KidzStuff Brand Ambassador

Anne Geddes is known around the world for her enchanting photos of babies garbed as flowers, butterflies, Teddy bears and other whimsical beings. So it was with much delight that the health system announced in 2018 that this renowned child advocate would serve as a brand ambassador for KidzStuff^®, Nicklaus Children’s line of innovative children’s products.

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Health System Launches Health Plan to Support the Underserved

As part of a commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the region’s most vulnerable children, Nicklaus Children’s Health System in 2018 was awarded a contract by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (ACHA) to serve Medicaid beneficiaries and provide physical and behavioral health services through Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Program.

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Jazz Legend Kenny G Provides Private Concert at Nicklaus Children’s

Patients at Nicklaus Children’s and their families were treated to the sweet saxophone sounds of jazz legend Kenny G in 2018. Recognized as one of the world’s most renowned saxophonists 36 years into his storied career, Kenny G. is the top-selling instrumental musician of the modern era.

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Nicklaus Children’s Assumes National Leadership of Victor Center for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in 2018 was designated the national program office for the Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, an entity dedicated to the prevention of inherited diseases common among the Jewish population.

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A Growing Network of Care and Convenience

Hialeah. Homestead. Two additional South Florida communities welcomed Nicklaus Children’s outpatient services to the neighborhood in 2018. The two new Nicklaus centers, both offering urgent care services, brought to 15 the total number outpatient centers serving the region from Palm Beach County to Homestead.

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Experts and Families Come Together to Discuss Vascular Birthmarks at First Annual Conference

In observance of vascular birthmarks awareness month, The International Birthmarks Institute at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital held its first Vascular Birthmarks Conference in 2018. The event brought together patients, families and medical professionals representing a range of specialties to present the latest in diagnosis, treatment and research related to birthmarks. A highlight of the program, which drew more than 50 participants, were presentations by families of children who had undergone treatment. Their success stories inspired hope for families of newly diagnosed children.

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Research Highlights

Nicklaus Children’s Research Institute is a regional leader in pediatric clinical research. In 2018, the hospital participated in more than 110 clinical protocols, each offering new hope for children with complex medical needs. In addition, the hospital participated in 200 clinical research studies to contribute to medical knowledge related to patient outcomes, and also facilitated access to investigational treatments on an individual basis for several patients.

Precision Medicine for Pediatric Cancers

Researchers at Nicklaus Children’s and Florida International University brought precision medicine to pediatric cancer patients in 2018, using advanced methods to pre-identify the best medications for individual patients, all with the aim of offering each child the safest possible chance of achieving remission, and ultimately, a cure. Cells from tumors of participating patients are being tested outside the body to assess functional sensitivity associated with FDA-approved cancer treatment medications. In parallel, genomic testing is also being conducted on samples to identify genetic variants known to drive drug sensitivity or resistance, as well as those associated with predisposition to cancer.

The goal of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of using drug sensitivity testing to provide personalized cancer treatment and assess the outcomes of patients receiving this cutting-edge technology. Daria Salyakina, PhD, Associate Director of the Personalized Medicine Initiative, is leading this protocol.

Understanding Impact of Genomic Medicine on Families

Genomic technologies are rapidly advancing, meaning more patients will receive personalized medicine in the 21^st century. Amid increasing use of genomic testing for tailored medicine, little research has been done to evaluate patient and family perceptions, concerns and knowledge of genomic medicine. Social and behavioral scientists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital have engaged families of children who have undergone whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify rare genetic disorders to understand the impact of this emerging technology on the family. In-depth interviews with parents enable the team to identify common concerns and barriers families face when deciding if they want whole genome sequencing for their child.

To date, the team has interviewed more than 50 families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and its study collaborator, Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. The goal of this qualitative study is to help guide future implementation of WGS technology in a family-centered model of care. Alexandra Quittner, PhD, Senior Scientist, is leading this study.

Victor Center at Every Life Step

The Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases is a thought leader in the prevention of genetic diseases. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has served as the national office since 2017. Science-based and mission driven, the Victor Center has continued to leverage advances in genetic technology and screening to identify carriers for severe and often-fatal childhood diseases, many of which are more prevalent in the Jewish community. Through grants and philanthropy, the Victor Center was able to screen more than 100 individuals in 2018, many of whom received testing at reduced cost or free of charge. The Victor Center is able to provide comprehensive support through conception, pregnancy and birth, particularly for families that may have a sick child. The Victor Center is under the leadership of Dr. Saima Aftab, Medical Director and Deborah Wasserman, MS, genetic counselor.

Recognition

Nicklaus Children's Programs Again Ranked Among the Nation's Best

Six Nicklaus Children's Hospital specialty programs were again identified among the best in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report's 2018-19 “Best Children's Hospitals” rankings. No other hospital in florida had more ranked pediatric programs.

Nicklaus Children's 2018-19 rankings are as follows:

Cardiology and Heart Surgery, #48 (no other South Florida program ranked higher)
Neonatology, #35 (no other South Florida program ranked higher)
Neurology and Neurosurgery, #11 (no other program in the southeastern U.S ranked higher)
Orthopedics, #30 (no other program in Florida ranked higher)
Pulmonology, #28 (no other program in South Florida ranked higher)
Urology, #36 (no other program in Florida is ranked higher)

National Recognition

Nicklaus Children’s Tops ‘Most Wired’ Ranking

Nicklaus Children's Health System was named the 2018 Most Wired Hospital by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The health system was recognized as the number one ranked hospital (or hospital system) nationwide among a list of more than 250 across the country. CHIME recognizes hospitals and health systems that are at the forefront of using healthcare IT to improve care delivery, have maximized the benefits of foundational technologies, and are embracing new technologies that support value-based care. The health system has been included in the “Most Wired” rankings since 2013.

Hospital Wins DNV GL Healthcare Innovation of the Year Award

Nicklaus Children's Hospital has been awarded DNV GL Healthcare's 2018 Innovation of the Year award for the development and implementation of an automated crash cart management solution that has dramatically enhanced patient care and efficiency. The crash cart solution was developed at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, through its continuous focus on leading industry innovation. This automated process was created with key stakeholders from multiple departments such as nursing, information technology, pharmacy and accreditation, in collaboration with a leading provider of workflow automation and information management services.

Hospital Recognized as CIO 100 Award Winner

IDG’s CIO has named Nicklaus Children’s Health System a 2018 CIO 100 winner. The award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). The health system has been at the forefront of utilizing innovative technology to enhance patient care. Mobile applications, interactive robotic devices, mobile medical carts, and medical kiosks are among the technologies that support the hospital and its growing network of outpatient centers. IDG is the world’s leading technology, media, data and marketing services company.

Pediatric Care Center Receives National Committee for Quality Assurance Recognition

The Gladys M. and Frederick Stewart Pediatric Care Center at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has been awarded recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home Program. The Pediatric Care Center provides outpatient pediatric services for more than 4,000 children annually, including many with special medical needs. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatricians and American Osteopathic Association. The program assesses whether clinician practices are functioning as a medical home and recognizes them for these efforts.

Health System Wins Talent Development Award

Nicklaus Children's Health System received a 2018 BEST Award from the Association for Talent Development (ATD). The health system ranked 12 out of 45 winning organizations from around the world recognized for using innovative talent development strategies to address business challenges. This is the second time ATD recognized the health system. ATD’s BEST Award is the talent development industry's most rigorous and coveted recognition, honoring organizations that demonstrate enterprise-wide success through talent development.

Nicklaus Children’s Verified as Level One Pediatric Trauma Center

Nicklaus Children's Hospital was again verified in 2018 as a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. Nicklaus Children’s is the only hospital in South Florida to achieve Level One Pediatric Trauma Center verification.

Nicklaus Children’s Among Top Training Organizations

Nicklaus Children’s Health System was again named to Training magazine’s list of the Top 125 training organizations in North America in 2018. For the past 13 years, the health system has been included in the listing, which highlights companies that demonstrate excellence in employer-sponsored training and development.

Nicklaus Children’s Achieves Nine Beacon Awards for Nursing Excellence

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital received three new Beacon Awards for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in 2018, bringing to nine the total number of hospital units that have garnered Beacon Award status. Nicklaus Children’s is the only children’s hospital in the nation to be recognized with nine Beacon Awards, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to excellence in inpatient care through use of evidence-based data to enhance outcomes and satisfaction. The newly awarded patient care areas are 5 Tower (Neurology/Neurosurgery) with a Gold-level award, 6 Tower (Hematology/Oncology) with a Silver-level and 2 North/3 South (step-down unit for patients of the neonatal unit and observation) also with a Silver-level. Units previously designated with Beacon Awards are the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, 3 Northeast and 3 East, each with a Gold-level; and 2 East designated with a Silver-level.

Health System Honored as ‘Great Place to Work’

Great Place to Work and FORTUNE have once again honored Nicklaus Children’s Health System as one of the 2018 Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma. The ranking considered input from more than 95,000 employees in the healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Great Place to Work, a research and consulting firm, evaluated more than 50 elements of team members’ experiences on the job. These included employee pride in the organization’s community impact, and belief that their work makes a difference and has special meaning. Rankings are based on employee experiences. The Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma stand out for sustaining agile, innovative cultures, which helps them outpace competitors in the marketplace.

Nicklaus Epilepsy Center Receives Renewed Accreditation as Level 4 Center

The Nicklaus Children's Hospital Comprehensive Epilepsy Center has again received accreditation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level 4 epilepsy center. Level 4 epilepsy centers offer professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, part of the Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute, is an internationally recognized leader in caring for children and infants with epilepsy. The program utilizes leading-edge technology for patients seeking specialized treatment and management of epileptic seizures and intractable epilepsy. Nicklaus Children’s team of neurosurgeons are nationally recognized for utilizing the latest technologies and minimally invasive surgical methods such as MRI-guided laser ablation.

Health System Named Among ‘Top Places to Work in Healthcare’

Becker's Healthcare in 2018 again named Nicklaus Children's Health System to its "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare.” The listing highlights hospitals, health systems and healthcare companies that promote workforce diversity, employee engagement and professional growth. The health system was selected for being one of the top organizations across the nation to offer benefits and opportunities for employees to promote professional development and build successful careers that go beyond the average healthcare provider or company. The health system offers its employees a robust benefits package, including health, wellness, training and recognition programs that highlight team and employee accomplishments. The health system also uses innovative on-boarding programs that have garnered national recognition for supporting new employees, and enhancing satisfaction and retention.

Hospital Earns A+ Rating from Standard and Poor’s

Nicklaus Children's Health System once again received an A+ bond rating from Standard and Poor's credit rating agency in 2018. The health system is evaluated financially by Standard and Poor’s each year and has been rated A+ for several previous years.

Regional Recognition

Hospital Receives South Florida Parenting Kids Crown Awards

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital received two 2018 Kids Crown Awards, presented by South Florida Parenting magazine. The recognition includes: Best Pediatric Hospital and Best Emergency Room in Miami-Dade County. Readers of South Florida Parenting submit nominations for Kids Crown awards in a wide range of categories, including healthcare for children. Kids Crown winners are chosen based on reader voting.