Dr. Narendra Kini, CEO of Miami Children’s Health System (soon to be Nicklaus Children’s Health System) and Ravneet Chowdhury, Chair of Miami Children’s Health Foundation (soon to be Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation) with Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, founders of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation at the Diamond Ball.
MIAMI – Miami Children’s Health System will undergo a name change to align the health system with the branding and identity of its flagship, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Effective November 1, the health system—which includes the nonprofit hospital, its network of outpatient centers, a research institute, a fundraising arm, an employed physician practice and more—will become Nicklaus Children’s Health System in recognition of the continued support from the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and its founders, golf icon Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara. The hospital became Nicklaus Children’s in 2015, following a multi-million-dollar commitment from the Nicklaus family and its foundation.
In addition, Miami Children’s Health Foundation, the health system’s fundraising arm, will soon become Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation, furthering the system-wide branding alignment.
“As an extension of our appreciation for the generosity and unwavering support of Jack and Barbara and their Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, we are proud to further cement the legacy of these exceptional philanthropists who are so committed to offering a better future for children everywhere,” said Dr. Narendra Kini, CEO of the soon-to-be Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “The new name will support our leadership as a global resource for children and families.”
The system-wide re-branding was unveiled Saturday night in Miami at the Diamond Ball, one of South Florida’s most anticipated galas of the year. The event gathers the most influential philanthropists, community leaders and celebrities to celebrate the mission of helping the children and families of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus were in attendance.
“We are incredibly honored and blessed to be a part of this fantastic institution,” Jack and Barbara Nicklaus said in a combined statement. “Helping children has been our dream since we sat across from each other in our baby daughter’s hospital room, praying for her recovery. That was over 50 years ago, and now, through the partnership with this amazing hospital, health system, assemblage of doctors and specialists, and leadership such as Dr. Kini and Mario Murgado (chairman of the health system board), we treasure our commitment and responsibility to our children.
“To pull together these critical elements and under a single brand is the utmost compliment, and further motivates us to raise awareness and donors for the work being accomplished. We believe we are now on a global map, and we can and will reach new heights in pediatric care.”
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, formerly, Miami Children’s Hospital, has a long and distinguished tradition of serving children. Founded in 1950, the 289-bed private, non-profit freestanding hospital receives children from throughout Florida, the U.S. and more than 75 countries. It is renowned for excellence in all pediatric specialties and has more pediatric programs ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report than any other hospital in Florida.
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About Nicklaus Children’s Health System (Name effective November 1)
Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, part of Nicklaus Children’s Health System, is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric subspecialists. The 289-bed nonprofit hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine and routinely has many programs ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. The organization grew and evolved into Nicklaus Children’s Health System, which includes Miami Children’s Health Foundation (soon to be Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation), the organization’s 501c3 fundraising arm; a network of 10 nonprofit outpatient centers situated in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties; Pediatric Specialists of America, a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary; a management services organization, and an ambulatory surgery center, as well as an e-commerce line of children’s wellness and safety products that support the hospital’s mission of serving the region’s pediatric population. Nicklaus Children’s Health System is the region’s only healthcare system exclusively for children.
About Miami Children’s Health Foundation (Soon, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation)
Miami Children’s Health Foundation (MCH Foundation) is a not-for profit 501©(3) organization established to support the creation of a world-class pediatric hospital so no child needs to leave South Florida for superior medical care. “Funding World-Class Care” and following the principle that all children deserve state-of-the-art pediatric care, MCH Foundation, now a part of the Miami Children’s Health System, has helped the 289-bed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital become a leader in pediatric healthcare with more than 650 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists. Currently, MCH Foundation is dedicating all its resources to Together For The Children, The Campaign For Miami Children’s, which aims to raise $150 million by 2017 and help fund priorities such as the expansion of the Emergency Department, construction of a new Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion, enhancements to its three centers of excellence, and expanding global/telehealth endeavors. Other campaign priorities include research, pediatric outreach and special programs.
About the Nicklaus Children’ Health Care Foundation
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus founded the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004, in an effort to provide families access to world-class pediatric healthcare in their own communities. The Foundation has grown from a vision to reality, supporting innovative programs focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood illnesses. For more information about the Foundation, please visit nchcf.org