Nemours Announces Lake Nona As Site For Specialty Children's Hospital

Orlando, Florida
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 @ 12:50 PM EST
by: Karen Breakell
(407) 383-3172
kbreakel@nemours.org

Today, Nemours announced it will plan for the development of its proposed children's health care campus, featuring a top-tier specialty pediatric hospital, in the Lake Nona area. A specific site has not yet been identified.

"It is clear to us that the synergies to be achieved by close proximity of Nemours Children's Hospital Orlando to the University of Central Florida's Medical College, the Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences, and the Burnham Institute of Medical Research are potentially tremendous. Because the care provided in our pediatric hospital will incorporate the latest findings from robust educational and clinical research programs, alliances with like organizations will make a positive difference for the patients of Nemours as well as Orlando's growing life sciences sector," said Nemours President and CEO David J. Bailey, MD, MBA.

Nemours is currently pursuing approval for its plans from the State of Florida with the filing of its third application for a Certificate of Need (CON) in mid-April. The organization's first two CON applications were denied by the State in 2006. Nemours has committed that no tax dollars, government incentives or fundraising are necessary to the establishment of the Nemours Children's Hospital Orlando.

"We support and applaud the vision of Mayor Dyer and Mayor Crotty to advance Central Florida as a health care destination. Nemours is proud to play a role in that vision. With this decision, we look forward to continued support from the City of Orlando and Orange County. We are appreciative of the many Central Florida municipalities that have advanced resolutions and proclamations in support of this visionary specialty hospital. We also anticipate that this will satisfy the location requirements requested by the community hospitals and alleviate their previously expressed concerns," said Florida Chief Administrative Officer Jeffrey Green.

The pediatric health care campus to be located in Lake Nona will include a new Nemours Orlando Children's Clinic, an ambulatory diagnostic center, and research facilities as well as the pediatric hospital.

Nemours has expressed commitment to ensure its specific site will offer adequate access for all the residents of our region and specifically those who face economic challenges. The organization will work with local agencies to ensure appropriate transportation plans and infrastructure systems are in place for its specific hospital site.

Bailey added, "A Nemours Children's Hospital Orlando will be brought to this community. That is our commitment. This decision brings us one step closer to the reality of a top-tier integrated pediatric health care system for the children of Florida."

About Nemours Children’s Clinic-Orlando Florida

The Nemours Children's Clinic - Florida, Orlando is a division of Nemours, one of the nation's largest children's health systems headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. In July 2005, Nemours announced plans for a children's hospital in Central Florida. Nemours Children's Clinic, Orlando employs approximately 300 Associates, which include pediatric physicians covering numerous specialties. Since Nemours established its Orlando clinic in 1997, it has provided nearly $150 million in mission support in Central Florida. Additional information can be found at www.nemours.org.

modified: Monday, August 06, 2007 @ 12:53 PM EDT
created: Monday, August 06, 2007 @ 12:51 PM EDT

About Nemours

Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.

Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.

Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.