Our #WolfsonWarriors had some very special visitors from Tallahassee when six members of the @FSUFootball team stopped by to say hello! 🏈
These players took time out of their very busy schedules to make the days of so many kiddos by simply getting to know them, taking photos, watching a patient's game film and signing autographs. 🖊️
No matter what team you root for, it's impossible not to feel pretty great about these amazing FSU players. They did a great thing and we hope you'll join us in thanking Chimdia Nwaiwu (@officialchim_54), Duce Robinson (@Ducerobinson2), Tre Wisner (@1waytreway), Donny Heibert, Desirrio Riles (@DesirrioRiles) and Xavier Chaplin ((@chaplin_xavier) in the comments! 💙
15-year-old Emily recently got the send-off of a lifetime on her last day of proton therapy!
Our team loves coming together to celebrate the incredible courage, strength and resilience of our #WolfsonWarriors. Emily's smile says it all as team members lined the halls to cheer her on and show just how many people have been - and continue to be - in her corner. 💛
We've heard that yelling "#DUUUVAL" doesn't come naturally to some at first, so our nurses wanted to make sure young Augustine completely nailed it as he becomes a @Jaguars fan! 🐆
Turn the sound up and give us your best DUUUVAL in the comments for Augustine! 💙
🎥 : @sheisjaytiny
⭐ ONE YEAR LATER! ⭐
Just one year after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a ruptured AVM at only 14 years old, Colton is back to doing what he loves most - fishing, wrestling and thriving. 💪 🐟
Colton's journey has been nothing short of inspiring - having recently received positive follow-up imaging results, he is proud to be a freshman at Camden County High School making straight A's, competing on the wrestling team and chasing his dream of making it to state championships. 🏆
His family remains grateful for the care teams at Baptist Health Jacksonville, Wolfson Children's Hospital and Nemours Children's Health who helped save his life and support his recovery every step of the way. ❤️
🔗 Read Colton's full story here: https://t.co/4wkbFbi3kh
We can’t say enough about our Spiritual Care team and the incredible ways they care for not just our #WolfsonWarriors, but the people who care for our #WolfsonWarriors, too. 💙
Because our team pours so much of themselves into caring for others, our Spiritual Care team thoughtfully created Self-Compassion Tool Kits to support health care heroes during especially challenging moments.
They didn’t have to do this, but that’s exactly who they are — compassionate, generous and always looking out for others. We’re so grateful for everything they do behind the scenes to support our team each and every day.
Help us show them some love and give them their flowers 🌹 in the comments! 🎉
May is Child Passenger Safety Technician Month, and we want to shout out the lifesaving work done by our SafeKids Northeast Florida CPS-trained technicians! These techs work one-on-one with parents and caregivers to ensure their car and booster seats are installed correctly and used safely. They even offer discounted car seats and pack n' plays to those who qualify.
Want to sign up and learn more? We can almost guarantee you’ll learn something new about keeping your kiddo safe. Call (904) 202-4302 to schedule an appointment and drive with peace of mind knowing your little ones are buckled up safe and sound. 🚗✔️
LIFE JACKETS 101! 💦 Making sure your child’s life jacket fits properly is one of the best ways to keep them safe during water activities. #DrowningPreventionMonth
Our #WolfsonWarriors are like family, and when family achieves their dreams, we celebrate! 🎉
Please join us in congratulating former patient Kagan on graduating cum laude from @ValdostaState! 🎓
Kagan spent so much time at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and @Nemours that we learned early on just how determined she is. The challenges she faced demanded incredible strength, resilience and perseverance — and four years later, she has accomplished something truly special.
Next, Kagan plans to attend the @UniversityofGA to pursue her Master’s in Social Work, where we have no doubt she will continue making an impact on the lives of others.
Of her time spent at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours, Kagan says:
"To my Nemours and Wolfson Children’s Care Team. To Dr. K, Dr. B, and Dr. P: Words can’t even begin to express my gratitude. There were times when your faces had become the ones most comforting and familiar to me. A time when the love I had for myself was only a reflection of the love and care you showed me at my lowest. I thank God for the hands he placed me in.
For they were hands that saw me as a child in need when others didn’t. When others denied me. When others neglected me. And knowing and feeling this impact has forever changed my life. It’s because of you that I’m dedicated to being what I know so many young patients need, yet aren’t granted. What I had, because I had you."
Thank YOU for showing us what true courage looks like, Kagan. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you because we know you’re going to do great things.
Congratulations from all of us at Wolfson Children’s Hospital! 💙
May is #CriticalCareAwarenessMonth, and today we’re recognizing the incredible team behind our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (#PICU). 💙
When the most critical moments happen, this team shows up with unmatched expertise, compassion and courage for children and families across our region.
Our PICU team includes:
• 73 nurses, including leadership and assistant nurse managers
• 8 physicians
• 9 advanced practice providers
From caring for trauma patients and children with complex neurological conditions to supporting babies, teens and every age in between, this team provides extraordinary care when it matters most. In the last year alone, they cared for 52 trauma patients, and outside of trauma, respiratory and viral illnesses were the leading reason for admission.
As the region’s only dedicated pediatric trauma ICU providing comprehensive pediatric trauma care — and home to specialized neurocritical care — the PICU team cares for patients ranging from neonates to 18 years old with a wide range of complex diagnoses and critical care needs. That means nurses, physicians, providers and multidisciplinary team members must be prepared to care for patients across every age group and specialty with advanced skill, adaptability and teamwork.
Thank you for being the calm in the chaos, the comfort in difficult moments and the difference between hope and healing. We are so grateful for each of you.
📷 Pictured are members of both our dayshift and nightshift PICU teams. With a team this busy caring for patients around the clock, getting everyone together for one photo is nearly impossible, but we are grateful for every single person (those we were able to capture and those we weren't) who makes this unit so special!
When your child is hurt or seriously ill, you want the very best by their side — and our emergency medicine team is ready every second of every day. 🚨
Today on #EmergencyMedicineDay, we’re celebrating the health care heroes who step up for our #WolfsonWarriors when it matters most. Calm under pressure, highly skilled and deeply compassionate, they bring expert care, comfort and reassurance to families during some of their hardest moments.
To our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and every team member working in emergency medicine: thank you for the lifesaving care, quick thinking and heart you bring to every patient and family you serve. 💙
Liam may have been born with two heart defects, but he was also born into an incredibly strong family. 💪❤️
During Leah Crawford's 20-week ultrasound, doctors discovered that Liam had a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and an undersized aorta. The diagnosis was overwhelming.
“We were told he may need multiple heart surgeries during the first year of his life, so it was a lot to process,” Leah said.
After Liam was born, additional testing in our CVICU revealed a rare condition called coarctation of the aorta. As Leah remained faithfully by his side, Liam grew stronger and prepared for the surgery that would change his life.
At just 18 days old, Liam underwent open-heart surgery performed by Sara Elena Mendoza Crespo, MD, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon with @Nemours, and assisted by Dennis Wells, MD, chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Nemours and Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Wolfson Children's. During a single procedure, the team repaired both defects, restoring normal blood flow and eliminating the need for a second surgery.
Just eight days later, Liam was able to go home.
Today, he's thriving.
“He’s growing so fast, you’d never know he was a heart baby unless you saw his scar,” Leah said. ❤️
Congratulations, Liam. You've officially joined the ranks of the #WolfsonWarriors! 🩺💙
Read more about Liam and Leah's journey: https://t.co/k3ErgzesF9
Coping skills are things we can do to help our minds and bodies feel better when we have big feelings like sadness, anger, worry or frustration. They are like little tools that we can use to calm down, feel safe and get back in control.
For example, coping skills can be taking deep breaths, talking to someone we trust, drawing a picture or taking a break. These skills help us slow down, think more clearly and make better choices. Practicing coping skills is like growing muscles. 💪 The more you practice, the stronger and better at using the skill you will become. Here are five things to remember when you are practicing your coping skills:
1. It’s okay to have big feelings! 👌 All feelings are allowed, even the big, uncomfortable ones. Coping skills help you handle them, not make them “go away.”
2. Take it slow. 🐢 Coping skills work best when you slow your body down. You don’t have to rush. Give yourself time.
3. Keep trying! 🫡 Sometimes a coping skill doesn’t work right away, and that’s okay. Try it again or try a different one.
4. Notice what helps. 👀 Pay attention to what makes your body feel calmer or your mind feel clearer. Those are the skills that work best for you!
5. Ask for help when you need it. 🆘 You don’t have to do it alone. Talking to a trusted adult or friend can be a really helpful coping skill, too.
During #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, take some time with your kiddo to identify big feelings and how to handle them. Download our #CommonThread Mental Health Workbook for both kids and teens by visiting https://t.co/gNhkVHnt78.
Tonight, our building will shine in red, white and blue in honor of #MemorialDay. 🇺🇸
We hope it serves as a small tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, selflessness and dedication will never be forgotten. ❤️🤍💙
Our #WolfsonWarriors benefit from having some of the best Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals in the world right here in our backyard. 💙
This past week, our teams celebrated EMS Week by visiting local fire rescue stations to express our gratitude, drop off treats and recognize the tremendous impact these health care heroes make every day.
From answering emergency calls and providing lifesaving care to safely transporting patients when every second counts, EMS professionals play a vital role in the care of the children and families we serve. Huge thank you to:
Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (@thejfrd)
St. Johns County Fire Rescue (@SJCFireRescue)
Clay County Fire Rescue (@ClayFireRescue)
Nassau County, FL Fire Rescue
Baker County Fire Rescue
Putnam County Fire Rescue
& so many others!
We truly couldn't do what we do without their skill, compassion and dedication. Join us in thanking these incredible professionals in the comments! 🎉🚑