Dear Friends,
New research protocols with potential to change the future of pediatric care. New outpatient centers that expand the Nicklaus brand and reach in South Florida. A new health plan to support access for underserved children. And new programs and initiatives that promise better tomorrows for the region’s children. These exciting 2018 developments were part of another great year of pediatric care leadership and excellence for Nicklaus Children’s Health System. It’s all part of our commitment to putting children and families first.
2018 brought advances in precision medicine. Researchers from Nicklaus Children’s and Florida International University are collaborating to pre-identify the best medications for pediatric cancer patients. Tumor cells from Nicklaus Children’s pediatric patients are tested outside the body to assess which FDA-approved cancer treatment medication will best serve each child. The aim is to offer children the safest possible chance of achieving remission and a cure.
To support families of children with colorectal anomalies, we founded the hospital’s Colorectal Center in 2018. The program, the first of its kind in South Florida, offers coordinated care that is helping families of affected children enjoy a better quality of life.
Our commitment to leading-edge technology brought us recognition at the national level in 2018. We received the DNV GL Healthcare Innovation of the Year award for developing an automated management solution to ensure that emergency supply carts are always ready for use. The crash cart module digitalizes daily workflows and automates asset management, enabling care teams to spend more time with patients and less time on cart management.
Our role as a champion for children and families was bolstered with the establishment in 2018 of Miami Children’s Health Plan. The plan, which offers physical and behavioral health services through Florida’s Statewide Medical Managed Care Program, now serves more than 13,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in seven Florida counties.
I hope you will take a moment to review our 2018 Report to the Community. In addition to stories about new developments and achievements of the year gone by, it also captures video patient success stories to amaze and inspire.
The great work celebrated in this report would not be possible without the collaboration of our physicians, and clinical and support staff. Together we are creating a brighter future for the region's children. For Health. For Life.
Sincerely,
Matthew A. Love
Interim President and CEO
Nicklaus Children’s Health System
Mario Murgado
Chairman
Nicklaus Children’s Health System
Jaret Davis, Esq.
Chairman
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital