By combining resources and expertise, Brooks Rehabilitation; Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville; Wolfson Children's Hospital; and UF Health Jacksonville aim to provide more cohesive and accessible treatment options for pediatric patients. The new partnership provides for medical care, training and education to ensure children of all ages receive the best that each organization has to offer.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide unparalleled care to the children of our region,” said Trevor Paris, MD, system chief medical officer for Brooks Rehabilitation. “Through our shared commitment, we are ensuring that every child receives the best medical and rehabilitative care possible.”
Noting a shortage of pediatric rehabilitation beds at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital — University Campus (BRH) and in the state of Florida, Brooks fully committed to a pediatric program enhancement. With funding from the Florida legislature, Brooks was able to double the number of pediatric beds available at BRH, create a secured pediatric area with pediatric and sensory gyms, expand the state-of-the-art technology available to patients and provide the only, no-cost, school re-entry services in the region.
This integrative approach ensures that children who historically transitioned directly to outpatient services can now receive the intensive and specialized pediatric services they need for best long-term outcomes.
In 2021, Brooks saw seven pediatric patients from Wolfson Children’s, and this number has increased to more than 40 in 2024, demonstrating the growing need and success of this partnership.
Under this new partnership, Nemours Children’s will employ two hospitalists at BRH to provide 24/7 medical coverage for pediatric patients. These hospitalists will be responsible for managing medical complexities, mitigating potential complications and ensuring patients are medically stable. An additional hospitalist will split time between Brooks and Wolfson Children’s, allowing for seamless integration and continuity of care.
In a separate collaboration, Brooks and UF Health will hire a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician to oversee the physical care of patients at Brooks’ inpatient and pediatric day program. This physician will work closely with therapists and nursing teams to manage the physical aspects of recovery, like muscle tone and spasticity, ensuring patients are set up for success and smooth transitions back home.
Additionally, patients will have access to a team of Nemours Children’s and University of Florida subspecialists for consultations. This will create an increased network of physician support for patients being served at Brooks.
Brooks nurses will receive hands-on training at Wolfson Children’s, including the TAPS course (Transition from Adults to Pediatrics) to ensure they meet the highest standards of both Brooks and Wolfson Children’s pediatric care. After coursework, they will complete multiple phases of direct patient shadowing at Wolfson Children’s, beginning with respiratory care, as part of this comprehensive training program.
“This announcement underscores the value and importance of collaboration between institutions, such as Nemours Children’s Health and Brooks,” said Andrew Stec, MD, vice president, chief medical officer for Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville. “Aligning our two institutions through a common mission further enhances our goal of creating the healthiest generations of children. By combining Nemours’ clinical resources and Brooks’ rehabilitation network, the children in our community benefit by receiving better specialized care closer to home while they recover.”
For more information about Brooks Rehabilitation, go to https://brooksrehab.org/.
