DAVIE Fla. October 16, 2024 – Ariana Intsiful, a 12th-grade student at NSU University School and founder of the initiative NICU Literacy & Love, has led a donation drive to support families of newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at HCA Florida University Hospital. As the President of Community Engagement for USchool HOSA: Future Health Professionals, Ariana partnered with fellow students to collect over 200 items, including blankets, slippers, pillows, and handheld mirrors, throughout the month of September.
The donation drive was part of Ariana’s broader mission to ease the burdens on NICU families. In collaboration with the USchool Community Service Coordinator, teachers, and other HOSA members, she placed donation boxes throughout the school, encouraging students to contribute. The collected items will be distributed to NICU families to help make their stay more comfortable.
Ariana’s inspiration for NICU Literacy & Love came after a visit to the NICU at HCA Florida University Hospital in July 2023, during a medical immersion summer camp. There, she witnessed firsthand the struggles many NICU families face, including the difficult choices between staying with their child or maintaining a stable income to support their families.
“NICU families are already under so much stress. Through this initiative, I hope to alleviate some of that burden by providing essential items, so parents can focus on their babies rather than additional expenses,” Ariana shared. NICU Literacy & Love also provides care baskets containing baby supplies, books, and other essentials for families and promotes literacy through reading programs for NICU babies.
The project highlights Ariana’s commitment to community service and her determination to make a lasting impact on the lives of NICU families. As she continues her work through NICU Literacy & Love, Ariana hopes to expand her efforts to support even more families in need.
Board-certified neonatologists lead the Level III NICU at HCA Florida University Hospital. Infants in the NICU also receive care from other neonatal specialists, including neonatal nurses and neonatal respiratory therapists. If needed, subspecialties in heart care, neurological care, endocrinology, ophthalmology, orthopedic, and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care will join the NICU team in caring for your baby’s health needs.
About HCA Florida University Hospital
HCA Florida University Hospital is a state-of-the-art, multi-specialty hospital that partners with top clinical leaders and use enhanced technology to deliver exceptional patient experiences. The comprehensive medical facility provides a full range of healthcare services to Davie, FL, and its surrounding communities, including 24/7 emergency care with board-certified emergency physicians, maternity, orthopedics, oncology, neurosciences, diagnostic services, imaging, and a full range of robotic and minimally invasive surgical services. HCA Florida University Hospital features all-private patient rooms. It is located adjacent to the campus of Nova Southeastern University in Broward County. For more information on HCA Florida University Hospital, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
About HCA East Florida Division
HCA East Florida Division, a part of HCA Florida Healthcare, is a family of 14 hospitals, nine free-standing emergency rooms, 12 ambulatory surgery centers and 105 physician practices along the Treasure Coast and in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. More than 15,000 dedicated colleagues proudly make up the East Florida Division and are committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
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