The vibrant South Florida landscape features Nicklaus Children’s Hospital as the region’s leading pediatric care institution that serves as a shining light of healing for families. This 307-bed medical facility located at 3100 SW 62nd Avenue in Miami operates under the Nicklaus Children’s Health System and continues to serve children at its original site which it established in 1950 as Variety Children’s Hospital. The hospital received its current name in 1983 when Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara received recognition for their transformative support while maintaining their mission to provide advanced care for Miami-Dade County children and families throughout the region.
A Legacy of Specialized Pediatric Excellence
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital maintains a reputation for providing specialized care to patients between newborn age and 21 through its comprehensive services. Miami-Dade County has one licensed specialty hospital dedicated solely to children and it offers more than 40 pediatric subspecialties that include cardiology, neurology, orthopedics and oncology. The Brain Institute under Nicklaus Children’s Hospital stands as a worldwide leader for epilepsy and neurological disorder treatment while the Heart Institute achieves exceptional outcomes in repairing congenital heart defects. The hospital operates a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which provides continuous emergency preparedness to establish the hospital as a vital life-saving center.
Innovation drives its mission. The hospital operates three Centers of Excellence that hold national accreditation for cancer and brain and heart care services while utilizing robotic-assisted procedures and 3D printing for surgical planning to achieve higher precision. The pediatric emergency room operates 24/7 and includes a helipad to provide immediate child-friendly medical care for over 90,000 annual patients. The outpatient centers located in Doral and West Kendall together with other facilities across South Florida provide families with easy access to this specialized care.
Compassion at the Core
Nicklaus Children’s stands out as South Florida’s pediatric care leader because it maintains a steadfast commitment to treating patients and their families with tender care. More than 800 physicians and 200 subspecialists together with 600 nurses dedicate themselves daily to building a caring environment at the hospital. Child Life Specialists help patients through play activities and educational programs and the Michael Fux Family Center offers parents a range of facilities including a café and gym and meditation garden. Hospital patients experience less anxiety because the facilities use vibrant rooms filled with toys and games to create a welcoming environment for children.
The hospital’s compassionate approach reaches patients throughout all locations beyond its main facility. Through its telemedicine system the hospital enables specialist consultations by video which benefits patients who cannot travel or live in distant areas. The nonprofit institution established by Variety Clubs International continues its mission to provide free health screenings and outreach activities for all children regardless of their financial background. Over $220 million in charitable care since 2002 underscores this commitment.
A Regional Lifeline
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital provides critical healthcare services to 2 million-plus residents throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and the Florida Keys as it serves both local and international pediatric patients. The hospital benefits from its prime position adjacent to I-95 and the Palmetto Expressway for easy access while its network of local school and organization collaborations enhances its effectiveness. The hospital maintains its position as a teaching affiliate of Florida International University’s medical school to train future pediatric experts.
The healthcare network extends its services through 24 outpatient and urgent care centers which operate between Palm Beach Gardens and Homestead to provide specialized medical care in local communities. The West Bird Urgent Care Center and Palmetto Bay Outpatient Center operate alongside various other locations that provide extended evening and weekend hours to benefit busy families. The network of facilities allows Nicklaus Children’s to provide both standard check-ups and complex surgical procedures to patients throughout the area.
Leading with Heart
The leadership of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in South Florida pediatric care combines advanced medical expertise with technological innovation and genuine patient-centered service. U.S. News & World Report identifies this hospital as one of the top children’s facilities in the nation while its neurology and cardiology departments maintain national best ranking status. The hospital’s real power comes from the healing experiences of the 650 daily patient children who receive care at this institution. Nicklaus Children’s continues its legacy of trusted leadership through its founding mission and present-day achievements to demonstrate that South Florida has a pediatric care champion with exceptional skills and compassionate heart.
