Speediatrics Unveiled at Homestead Hospital’s Children’s Emergency Center

NASCAR legends Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip and Betty Jane France, chairperson of the NASCAR Foundation, helped give the green light recently to the unveiling of Speediatrics, the Betty Jane France Children’s Emergency Center at Homestead Hospital.

(l to r): Homestead Hospital’s Director of Emergency Services Vicky Kirby, R.N.; CEO Bill Duquette; NASCAR legend Kyle Petty; pediatric nurse April Hughes, R.N., and her daughter Hannah, a former patient at the hospital; and Dr. Francisco Medina, medical director of the Children’s Emergency Center, celebrated the opening of Speediatrics at Homestead Hospital.

Speediatrics is an eight-bed unit designed with a motorsports theme. Frances founded the concept of the cheerful decor to help ease the hospital experience for children. The NASCAR Foundation, Homestead-Miami Speedway and community donations provided financial support for the project. The NASCAR Foundation presented a $100,000 donation to the hospital at the unveiling ceremony, representing proceeds from NASCAR Day.

The Children’s Emergency Room at Homestead Hospital is decorated with checkered flags, race cars and cartoon characters named Curves, Traxx, Six-Speed and Clutch.