A relaxing getaway ended abruptly for the Kissick family when mom, Danielle, went into labor in the Cayman Islands just 25 weeks into her pregnancy. Fortunately for the Kissick family, baby Jackson was airlifted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Broward Health’s Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
For 91 days, a dedicated team of neonatal professionals, equipped with advanced technology treated Jackson in the NICU. Today, the recently renovated NICU at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital offers each newborn a private or semi-private room along with a dedicated care team and accommodation options for the family.
While many international patients arrive at Broward Health requiring emergency attention, many plan their treatment in advance for a wide range of medical conditions and seek the high quality of care Broward Health offers. As one of the nation’s 10 largest public healthcare systems, Broward Health offers a variety of healthcare services, including a Level I trauma center, an award-winning children’s hospital, comprehensive cancer care, joint replacement, cardiovascular services and comprehensive stroke care.
“Broward Health is committed to providing the highest quality patient-centered care for international patients and their families,” said Gabriella West, director of Broward Health International. “Our entire team works together to help ensure our patients receive the latest medical advancements and technology combined with our culture of kindness and compassion.”
Medical Tourism: A Healthy Alternative
That level of care is comforting news to the thousands of international patients who travel to Fort Lauderdale annually for leading treatments and procedures that may not be available in their local communities.
In fact, medical tourism has become a priority of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, which has teamed with local hospitality and medical providers to launch Sunny Health, a collaborative effort aimed at attracting international patients and their companions to Broward County.
From admission to discharge, international patients receive an outstanding level of service at Broward Health. Broward Health’s International Program offers one-on-one concierge services, including the coordination of transportation, transfer of medical records, coordination of physician appointments, access to Indemand Interpreting app, lodging and transportation options, assistance with finances and billing inquiries and follow-up care.
The Kissick family, like other international patients, is grateful for the care Jackson received at Broward Health.
“We still love sharing Jackson’s story and how Broward Health International helped us travel from the Caribbean to Fort Lauderdale to get Jackson the care he needed in the NICU,” said Danielle. “Jackson’s 5th birthday is coming up, and we can’t wait to see what wonderful things he’s meant to do in this life.”
