As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, top scientists and experts have been working relentlessly to develop a vaccine. Over the past few days, promising data on an effective vaccine has been shared by Pfizer and Biontech who announced they had a COVID-19 vaccine that was showing 90 percent efficacy in trials.
While the news presents hope for an end to the pandemic, the quick development of these vaccinations raises concerns among the public, especially parents.
Our Dr. Allan Greissman recently answered questions on the vaccine and what parents should know about it on Forbes. Click here to read what he had to say.
Posted by lavandosky
We’re excited to share that Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Memorial Regional Hospital were each recently recognized with the Center of Excellence Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. The distinguished award is presented to organizations that distinguish themselves by offering exceptional quality care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and boast processes and procedures that promote excellence.
As Chief of Staff of JDCH and Medical Director of the hospital’s Extracorporeal Life Support program, PCCSF’s Dr. Gerald Lavandosky manages JDCH’s ECMO program. He, along with JDCH’s staff, are committed to providing pediatric patients exceptional and advanced life-saving medical care.
“The extracorporeal life support program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has been a designated Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization since 2016. This year, once again, receiving the Gold Level award recognizes our center’s continued commitment to patient safety and superior outcomes for infants, children and adolescents requiring extracorporeal support,” said Dr. Lavandosky.
Congratulations to Dr. Lavandosky, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Memorial Regional Hispital on achieving this award once again. We thank you for your commitment to our patients!
Click here to learn more about the program and recognition.
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Hoping to resume these important medical missions in 2021, Medical Students in Action is a nonprofit organization composed of medical students from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, volunteer community physicians, dentists, and high school students. Every spring, MSA organizes mission trips to serve the needs of the underserved in the rural villages of the Dominican Republic, and our Dr. Allan Greissman has joined the group on this much-needed work.
During the week-long trip, the medical students receive mentorship from the doctors as they provide medical care to patients. The experience prepares them for their future careers in the medical field. The group also works to ensure the continuity of resources after exposing their patients to it the first time.
“It was an amazing experience for me both for the care I got to provide and for the time I got to spend with my daughter who is a first-year medical student,” shared Dr. Greissman. “She got to see firsthand what life is like with medical care in an impoverished country, and learn so much about medicine, caring, life, and community. The MSA trips are always a highlight of my medical career.”
In addition to their work in the Dominican Republic, MSA also provides medical services to patients in our back yard of South Florida. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group was unable to attend their annual trip this year. We’re proud of these aspiring medical professionals and Dr. Greissman for the great work they’re providing locally and abroad, and we look forward to more trips in the near future!
To learn more about MSA, or to make a donation, click here.
Posted by lavandosky
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer 2020 will be a little different for both parents and children as they work to adjust to spending more time at home and limited outdoor recreational activities. However, it’s still important for parents to remain attentive about their children’s activities and distinctive needs during this season so they can have a healthy and safe summer. Following is information that will keep your child’s summer as carefree as possible.
- Food – The summer months are not the time to ease up on smart food choices. Most fruits and vegetables are in season and plentiful during the warmer months. In addition, as children’s diets allow, parents should include foods that are high in fiber and protein.
- Exercise – Kids need to stay active during the summer. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous in order to be beneficial. It can be as simple as turning up the radio and dancing, playing a game of tag, hide and seek, or taking a few laps in the pool. The idea is to keep your child moving.
- Dehydration – Strenuous activity during warmer weather makes it difficult for children’s bodies to regulate changes in body temperature. It’s imperative that children stay hydrated by consuming more water than other times of the year or drinking sports drinks with electrolytes. Parents should schedule outside activities during early morning hours, late afternoons, or early evenings in order to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Sunburns – Serious sunburns can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Children should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 each time they head outdoors. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel. Children should also wear lightweight, loose clothing in light colors in breathable fabrics during the summer.
- Drowning – Never leave children unsupervised when they are near or in the water. Children should wear lifejackets or vests whenever they are near water and should learn how to swim as soon as they are physically able.
- Hot Cars – Of course, a child should never be left alone in a car, even for a few minutes. Temperatures in a car can go up extremely quickly. Before getting into a car, check seats and seat belts to assess the temperature. If the interior is too hot, let the car cool off before letting children inside.
- Summer First Aid Kit – Prepare a First Aid kit with essentials and keep it handy for emergencies with insect repellent, sun protection, water, icepack, an antibiotic cream and bandages.
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At Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida, we strive to provide comfort, hope, and the best possible care to our patients, as well as their family and friends. We accomplish our mission thanks to our expertly trained and experienced staff in advanced pediatric critical care medicine. Their skills allow us to care for the most critically ill patients across South Florida and have made us a premier provider.
We’re happy to announce the addition of Alceste Villasuso, ARNP, to the team. Alceste will continue pushing PCCSF’s mission forward. Read on to get to know her!
Alceste Villasuso attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion in 2011, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012. Thereafter, she went on to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida, Alceste worked in South Florida as a registered nurse in pediatric critical care.
Alceste has a special interest in caring for critically ill children and is passionate about health education for her patients, families, and community. She is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as well as the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami Dade Inc. When not at work, Alceste enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her family.
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