with Opening of New Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

MIAMI, Oct. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miami Children’s Health Foundation, the fundraising arm for Miami Children’s Health System, celebrated the success of its Together For The Children Campaign on Thursday, October 13 with more than 300 guests in attendance at a special preview unveiling of the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion (APCP), a new six-story tower within the campus of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The construction of the new 212,000 square-foot state-of-the-art family centered facility, was one of the priorities of Together For The Children, which surpassed its original fundraising goal of $150 million, two years ahead of schedule. The structure is the first freestanding pediatric facility of its kind in South Florida, dedicated to the care of children with complex and specialized needs.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161013/428702

“We are incredibly excited and humbled by the overwhelming generosity of the community, corporations and other private donors who joined our Together For The Children Campaign and made this accomplishment a reality two years ahead of schedule”, said Lucy Morillo, President and CEO of Miami Children’s Health Foundation. “This campaign has been a truly remarkable endeavor and speaks volumes on how we are committed to providing children everywhere the best care possible.”

First Family of Golf, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Chairs of the Together For The Children Campaign were on hand for the ribbon cutting alongside Dr. M. Narendra Kini, CEO for Miami Children’s Health System, Mario Murgado, Board Chair for Miami Children’s Health System, Alex Soto, Board Chair for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Marile Lopez, Board Chair for Miami Children’s Health Foundation.

The event also served as backdrop for the announcement of a $1.5 million pledge from West Coast University in support of nursing education at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. This generous gift demonstrates the joint commitment to nursing education, which will ensure the continued delivery of nursing care to children through family-centered bedside manner. During the program, Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County Mayor presented a certificate of appreciation to mark this historic occasion. Also in attendance were State Representatives Frank Artiles, Jose Felix Diaz, Alex Ferro, and Erik Fresen, Commissioners Steve Bovo and Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Secretary of the Agency for Health Administration Justin Senior, School Board member Dr. Martha Perez, and MCH Foundation Celebrity Ambassador Erick Cuesta.

The new facility is making possible the relocation of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s three internationally recognized intensive care units (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) to a new state-of-the-art setting, enhancing the care environment and offering additional family-centered amenities.

For more information about the Together For The Children Campaign please visit www.mchf.org/donate or contact Lisbet Fernandez-Vina at 786.268.1845 or lisbet.fernandez-vina@mchf.org.  

About Miami Children’s Health Foundation
Miami Children’s Health Foundation (MCH Foundation) is a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization established to support the creation of a world-class pediatric hospital so no child needs to leave South Florida for superior medical care. “Funding World-Class Care” and following the principle that all children deserve state-of-the-art pediatric care, MCH Foundation, now a part of the Miami Children’s Health System, has helped the 289-bed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital become a leader in pediatric healthcare with more than 650 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists. Currently, MCH Foundation is dedicating all its resources to Together For The Children, The Campaign For Miami Children’s, which aims to raise $150 million by 2017 and help fund priorities such as the expansion of the Emergency Department, construction of a new Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion, enhancements to its three centers of excellence, and expanding global/telehealth endeavors. Other campaign priorities include research, pediatric outreach and special programs.             

About Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – part of Miami Children’s Health System – is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric sub-specialists. The 289-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with several specialty programs ranked among the best in the nation in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016-17, by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession’s most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.