The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida:
Your family's medical home…even when away from home
On April 16, 1995, Bonita Springs resident Marie Tranovich and her husband Steve were enjoying a perfect Easter Sunday with their daughter Karen Fitz-Patrick's family, who was visiting from Cinnaminson, New Jersey. In the morning, the group enjoyed brunch at La Playa Beach Resort and spend the afternoon soaking up the Southwest Florida sunshine at Bonita Bay's beach. But late that evening, Marie's 7-year-old granddaughter, Kelly, became very ill.
On Monday morning, after calling to Kelly's doctor back home for guidance, Kelly's mother made an appointment with a Bonita Springs pediatrician. He looked at the red splotches on her face and after pricking her finger for a quick blood test, told the family to immediately go to The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida at Lee Memorial Health System's HealthPark campus. He would meet them there later that day.
"The Children's Hospital was very young at that time, no more than a couple of beds on one floor of the hospital," says Marie. "We were fortunate it was there. If it wasn't for The Children's Hospital, we probably would have had to drive Kelly to Tampa or Miami for a diagnosis."
At the hospital, Kelly was given intravenous fluids while the family waited for her diagnosis. They were impressed by the kindness and attention they received from the hospitals staff.
"One of the nurses gave Kelly a locket and told her it was filled with magic dust to throw around herself if she got scared," Marie says. "It was such a thoughtful thing to do to calm a very scared child when her parents had to leave the room to meet with the pediatrician. The nurse stayed with her until my husband and I arrived."
Kelly's doctor told her parents that Kelly had leukemia and the family needed to fly to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia immediately. He had spoken with Kelly's regular pediatrician in New Jersey, who was making arrangements for her arrival and the myriad of tests she would have to undergo to determine the type of leukemia she had.
Three days of testing determined that Kelly had acute myeloid leukemia, which had only a 50 percent survival rate. She spent the next nine months receiving chemotherapy treatments at the hospital in Philadelphia.
"In looking back, we are grateful we found such experienced and kind professionals in Southwest Florida," Marie says.
Today, Kelly is a healthy 21-year-old studying business at the University of Colorado, spending her free time snowboarding or enjoying other outdoor activities. Just has she has grown up, so has The Children's Hospital. The 98-bed facility, opened in 1995, employs more than 230 individuals, has a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and has a team of more than 1,000 volunteers.
"We're equipped to treat nearly any sickness or condition," says Dr. John Iacuone, Executive Director of The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. "And we're the only comprehensive facility specializing in children's treatment, from preemies to 18-year-olds, between Tampa and Miami. "
"You might say that we've grown up with the community," Iacuone continues. "We now treat more than 5,000 patients per year, and we anticipate that number will continue to grow in the years to come. Within the next five years, we hope to build a new tower at HealthPark Hospital and expand to 150 beds."
"We're very lucky to have The Children's Hospital. The area has grown so much and there are lots of kids. It's a definite need," Marie says. "It's not just for residents. It's wonderful for those of us with visiting families, too. People like me may think they'll never use a facility for children, but you never know when you're going to need it. "
"The Children's Hospital was very young at that time, no more than a couple of beds on one floor of the hospital," says Marie. "We were fortunate it was there. If it wasn't for The Children's Hospital, we probably would have had to drive Kelly to Tampa or Miami for a diagnosis."
At the hospital, Kelly was given intravenous fluids while the family waited for her diagnosis. They were impressed by the kindness and attention they received from the hospitals staff.
"One of the nurses gave Kelly a locket and told her it was filled with magic dust to throw around herself if she got scared," Marie says. "It was such a thoughtful thing to do to calm a very scared child when her parents had to leave the room to meet with the pediatrician. The nurse stayed with her until my husband and I arrived."
Kelly's doctor told her parents that Kelly had leukemia and the family needed to fly to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia immediately. He had spoken with Kelly's regular pediatrician in New Jersey, who was making arrangements for her arrival and the myriad of tests she would have to undergo to determine the type of leukemia she had.
Three days of testing determined that Kelly had acute myeloid leukemia, which had only a 50 percent survival rate. She spent the next nine months receiving chemotherapy treatments at the hospital in Philadelphia.
"In looking back, we are grateful we found such experienced and kind professionals in Southwest Florida," Marie says.
Today, Kelly is a healthy 21-year-old studying business at the University of Colorado, spending her free time snowboarding or enjoying other outdoor activities. Just has she has grown up, so has The Children's Hospital. The 98-bed facility, opened in 1995, employs more than 230 individuals, has a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and has a team of more than 1,000 volunteers.
"We're equipped to treat nearly any sickness or condition," says Dr. John Iacuone, Executive Director of The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. "And we're the only comprehensive facility specializing in children's treatment, from preemies to 18-year-olds, between Tampa and Miami. "
"You might say that we've grown up with the community," Iacuone continues. "We now treat more than 5,000 patients per year, and we anticipate that number will continue to grow in the years to come. Within the next five years, we hope to build a new tower at HealthPark Hospital and expand to 150 beds."
"We're very lucky to have The Children's Hospital. The area has grown so much and there are lots of kids. It's a definite need," Marie says. "It's not just for residents. It's wonderful for those of us with visiting families, too. People like me may think they'll never use a facility for children, but you never know when you're going to need it. "
