Wolfson Children's Hospital Ranks among the Nation's Top 30 Children's Hospitals
Jacksonville, Florida, June 9, 2010 -- Wolfson Children's Hospital ranks 28th in the nation for pediatric diabetes and endocrinology in U.S. News & World Report's 2010-2011 issue of "America's Best Children's Hospitals."
The issue ranks the top 30 children's hospitals in 10 specialties. It is available online at U.S. News & World Report, and also will be in the magazine's August issue, available on newsstands July 27.
U.S. News & World Report based the rankings on children's hospitals' outcomes, reputation and care-related quality indicators, such as technology and nursing care. Magnet™ designation, which recognizes excellence in patient care, was used as an indicator of care-related quality; Wolfson Children's Hospital earned the designation in December 2007, along with the four Baptist Health adult hospitals.
Jerry Bridgham, MD, chief medical officer, Wolfson Children's Hospital, says, "We are very pleased that the outstanding care provided by the physicians, nurses and staff with Wolfson Children's Hospital and Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, is being recognized nationally."
The Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology program at Wolfson Children's and Nemours is nationally and internationally renowned for its clinical research program. The program's pediatric endocrinologists offer diagnosis and treatment of infants, children and teens with a variety of hormone problems, including growth disorders, abnormal thyroid function, disorders of puberty, and more.
The Northeast Florida Pediatric Diabetes Center, a partnership between Wolfson Children's and Nemours, is the only center of its kind in the area. The center offers a full range of diagnostic, treatment and consulting services for children and adolescents with:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Pre-diabetes
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD)
Weight management
Other factors contributing to the metabolic syndrome
The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes program at Wolfson and Nemours was established in 1987 by pediatric endocrinologist and Division Chief Nelly Mauras, MD. The program now has seven pediatric endocrinologists. They include Dr. Mauras; Larry A. Fox, MD, medical director of the Northeast Florida Pediatric Diabetes Center; J. Atilio Canas, MD; Priscila Gagliardi, MD; Robert Olney, MD; Thanh Nguyen, MD, PhD; and Dominique Darmaun, MD, PhD. The team also includes endocrinology fellows, registered nurses, certified pediatric diabetes educators, and support staff.
"The division also uses the inpatient services of the Clinical Research Unit at Wolfson Children's, which allows us to conduct complex physiological research in children," says Dr. Mauras. "The nurses in that unit do an outstanding job."
Dr. Mauras says the U.S. News recognition is an honor. "We have a national reputation due to our strong clinical Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes program and our very active research program," she says. "Our multidisciplinary team serves more than 900 children with diabetes in our community, as well as a number of infants, children and adolescents with growth and puberty-related disorders, among other conditions, from throughout Florida and Georgia."
Dr. Fox says he's not surprised that the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology program ranked high among children's hospitals. "I believe we have a wonderful program," he states. "This honor reflects on the physicians and staff we have, as well as Wolfson and Nemours' commitment to caring for kids with diabetes and other endocrine disorders."
"Congratulations to Dr. Mauras and her colleagues and staff for this prestigious honor," says Dr. Bridgham.
"We thank the families who entrust their children to our care, and we salute our pediatric partners for standing with us to provide that care," commented David Bailey, CEO, Nemours.
