TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH) extended its endorsement for Florida’s 26th annual Children’s Week, which begins with the Celebration of the Hands event today, Mon., April 5, and includes virtual events throughout the week, with Children’s Day, tomorrow, Tues., April 6.

As the umbrella organization for 15 children’s hospitals and the collective voice of children’s healthcare across the state, FACH embraces this time-honored celebration of children, while recognizing all those who advocate on their behalf and help them become healthy, happy, and productive adults.

FACH Executive Director Dana Ferrell said, “Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals’ member hospitals operate 75 percent of pediatric transplant programs and 80 percent of pediatric open heart surgery programs in the state. Most also operate a Level I, Level II or pediatric trauma center, and several are considered major teaching hospitals. Together, FACH’s member hospitals provide nearly 60 percent of all inpatient stays for children 17 and younger in Florida. The surgeons, doctors, and nurses work closely with children of all ages every day, doing their best to ensure each one has the opportunity to overcome their often-complex medical conditions and ultimately thrive. There’s no doubt that many of the dedicated Children’s Week partners have the same mission to help all children achieve their full potential.”

It should be noted that FACH member hospitals are significantly impacted by the Florida House’s and Senate’s recent budget proposals. The association has urged legislators to consider its members – those that are specialty licensed, or free standing, hospitals and those that exist within larger healthcare systems – and the unique services that only they can provide to the state’s children, with the hope that their capacity to care will not be cut. For more information, please click here

About the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH)

The 15 members of the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH) provide the most specialized level of care to children, research cures for diseases that affect children and train Florida’s pediatricians, pediatric specialists and pediatric nurses. Since 1999, they have been the voice for children’s health care issues in Florida through advocacy, education, research and patient care initiatives. For additional information, please visit: http://www.flchildrenshospitals.org/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mon., April 5, 2021
CONTACT: Aly Coleman, aly@on3pr.com, 850.391.5040