Jacksonville has a jewel, and I am not sure most are aware of the impact this treasure has on our community. It impacts our families, our schools and our businesses. It improves the quality of life for everyone — residents and visitors. It makes Jacksonville even more special.
Jacksonville is home to one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals, Wolfson Children's Hospital. It was recently awarded the Leapfrog Top Hospital award, which highlights patient safety and quality achievements and is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. Wolfson Children’s is also recognized among America’s Best Children’s Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
For each of you, I hope you never need it, but if you have a child in your life and there is a medical emergency, the fact that Wolfson Children’s is here can be life changing. For me, Wolfson Children’s played that critical role with my newborn daughter. Having the highest quality pediatric care and specialists in Jacksonville, allowed my family to stay in Jacksonville and raise our family here.
As a community member, I want to ensure that Wolfson Children’s continues to provide the highest quality care to all who need it. Currently, as president of The Women’s Board, I lead over 400 committed volunteers raising money and awareness for this gem of our community.
The Women’s Board is proud to partner with Wolfson Children’s to provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, all designed especially for infants and children. The board has committed to raising $1.5 million this year to purchase two new Kids Kare Mobile ICU vehicles. The ambulances will be equipped with the most well-trained staff and advanced equipment available to care for critically ill children from the smallest premature infant to a high school athlete enroute to Wolfson Children’s. These vehicles are truly ICUs on wheels with everything needed to care for and monitor the most critical of patients, including defibrillators, IV pumps, ventilators, infant isolettes, warmers and medications.
You may see the current Kids Kare Mobile ICUs driving around town: they look like fish tanks on wheels. Know that beyond the equipment, these vehicles are staffed by an elite group, a specially focused trauma team. This team and the staff that support them are the true heroes in improving the outcomes for the children they treat.
Wolfson Children’s is vital to our community. The quality and availability of health care have long been factors when considering where to live and work. Northeast Florida is blessed to have both.
To read a true story about one patient's recovery, click HERE.
