Spotlight on patient care

By Lindsey Robertson

Networking for kids

Shands Hospital for Children at UF has been accepted as a member of the Children’s Hospital Association. Formerly known as the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, the Children’s Hospital Association comprises more than 200 children’s hospitals in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. “The inclusion of Shands Hospital for Children in the Children’s Hospital Association is a wonderful reflection of the stature of our organization nationally and mirrors the tremendous commitment Shands and the University of Florida has to the department of pediatrics, and to children,” said Scott Rivkees, M.D., chair of the College of Medicine department of pediatrics. “As a member, we will have even greater opportunities to expand the excellence of the care we are proud to provide to the children and families we serve.”

New chopper on the block

ShandsCair, the air medical and critical care transport system for Shands at UF, is expanding its horizons and flight capabilities by setting up a second base in Marion County, complete with a second helicopter. On Feb. 15, ShandsCair launched “ShandsCair 2” in Marion County, just south of Ocala. The ShandsCair 2 base will be staffed by eight additional ShandsCair employees and will be supported by an orange and blue helicopter with the call sign “ShandsCair 2.” “By creating a permanent base south of Ocala with an additional helicopter and flight crew, ShandsCair will significantly improve our coverage throughout north central Florida, enabling us to retrieve and deliver both trauma and medical patients to the right facility, even faster than was possible with a single helicopter,” said Staccie Allen, R.N., E.M.T.-P, ShandsCair program director.