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That move meant more transfers of sick children to Miami Children's Hospital or Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, which didn't sit well with Lee Memorial leaders at the time. In its place, NCH contracts with neonatologists in Miami, with the intent of having coverage at all hours as opposed to on-call coverage only. Two years ago, NCH broke off a 20-year relationship with a group of neonatologists in Fort Myers who came to Naples to take care of premature newborns in Collier. The children's hospital historically serves kids from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. Likewise, Lee Memorial is raising money to build a $192 million freestanding Children's Hospital, to replace the children's hospital inside HealthPark Medical Center, south of Fort Myers. NCH isn't alone in focusing on expanding children's services: the Lee Memorial System in Lee County opened a specialty children's clinic a year ago across Immokalee Road from North Naples hospital ? also at the request of local pediatricians. The take-away was the pediatric emergency room. On average, 18,000 children annually use the main emergency department at the hospital, and around 10,000 use the pediatric urgent-care center, said Pat Read, administrative director at North Naples.Ī year ago, Read held a retreat with local pediatricians and NCH directors to brainstorm about what's needed for children in the community.
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On average, 18,000 children annually use the main emergency department at the hospital, and around 10,000 use the pediatric urgent-care center. "It's more calm, less intimidating, less threatening," Myers said of the importance of kids' decor. The same interior design firm, Wegman Design Group, that revamped the third-floor pediatrics unit into an underwater wonderland is handling the makeover. This summer, the urgent-care center will be transformed with beach-scene decor, including water, sand and surfboards. The goal is having four on board when the emergency room goes 24/7. Myers is recruiting pediatricians who are board-certified in emergency medicine. Most communities are now trending toward having separate pediatric emergency departments. "Granted this is not a children's hospital, but the idea is to save (families) from driving all the way (across the state) or to Fort Myers. "The need in the community has grown exponentially," she said.
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Before the winter season starts, the plan is to add a 10 a.m. She's overseeing a myriad of issues for phasing in a pediatric emergency room at North Naples Hospital off Immokalee Road.Īt present, a seven-room unit on the ground floor, adjacent to the main ER, is a pediatric urgent-care center that will be transformed into the kids' emergency room. She's a whirlwind of energy, and seemingly a multitasking master, who is getting to know the 30 pediatricians on staff of NCH, and others who aren't. The 39-year-old began work in May as the first director of the pediatric emergency department for the NCH Healthcare System. Enough to take the lead in establishing a pediatric emergency room in her new community. Enough so that she uprooted her life in Jacksonville to take a chance on Naples.