As Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital celebrates its 15th birthday this year, the hospital, which has grown into a world-class healthcare facility for children, is also embarking in its first-ever capital campaign to help fund its much-needed expansion. The campaigns goal set at $36 million will provide the funds necessary for Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital to become a stand-alone facility and further expand medical services in the areas of pediatric surgery and oncology.
“Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital is renowned for its medical excellence and for the care it provides to children in South Florida and beyond,” said Frank V. Sacco, president and CEO, Memorial Healthcare System. “Now is time to build a new childrens hospital for the region one that will allow for continued innovation and excellence while enhancing the depth and quality of pediatric care for decades to come. And I believe we can achieve it with the financial support of donors, patients and the community at large during this capital campaign.” Many donors and residents in the community have already invested in the vision of a newly expanded Childrens Hospital. The capital-campaign, entitled “Believe, You Can Make a Difference,” hopes to inspire many people to believe that a childrens hospital with the caliber of Joe DiMaggios should grow in the community and remain close to home. Close to $24 million has been raised, but more is needed to achieve the dream. And with population growth expected to rise nine percent in the next five years, the hospitals compass points to expansion beyond its walls. With a planned four-story, stand-alone facility, located across Memorial Regional Hospital, it will house pediatric medical and surgical services, childrens cancer services, and outpatient and pediatric diagnostic services. The nearby expansion allows critical services such as pediatric emergency care, pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care to remain in its current infrastructure at Memorial Regional Hospital.
