This is the story of how, in the wake of World War II, a determined South Florida community came together to build a place where children with nowhere else to turn could find expert care, comfort, and the chance to heal. From treating children stricken by polio in crowded wards to pioneering new therapies and life-saving surgeries, this story follows generations of physicians, nurses, and families who refuse to accept that a child’s illness should define their future. As medicine advances and epidemics give way to chronic and complex conditions, Nicklaus Children’s continually reinvents how it serves kids—launching air and ground transport teams, expanding specialized programs, and reaching far beyond its original walls to care for children across South Florida and around the world. At its heart, this is a story about resilience, generosity, and the power of community to create a sanctuary where childhood is fiercely protected and where every young patient is treated not as a case, but as a whole, hopeful child.
This enhanced eBook features pop-up images, several embedded videos, and numerous embedded audio quotes from executives, retirees, and key stakeholders who were interviewed during the research for this book.