Guest Column | Why the continuum of local pediatric care matters
From first steps, first days of school, new sports, new friendships and plenty of bumps and illnesses along the way, childhood is full of milestones and surprises.
When a child needs medical care, it’s essential to have trusted and compassionate care nearby.
It means less time traveling, fewer missed days of work and school, and the ability to stay near the support system and routines that provide support and stability.
While preventive care and regular visits help children stay healthy, some children require specialized care from pediatric specialists, surgery or ongoing treatment. Having these resources available in Southwest Florida enables families to receive comprehensive pediatric care in their own communities.
The center of local pediatric care
Golisano Children’s Hospital is conveniently located in south Fort Myers, minutes away from Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach.
As the only dedicated children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami, Golisano provides care for infants, children, teens and young adults. Services range from routine and preventive care to highly specialized treatment for complex conditions. Lee Health also offers pediatric care at more than 100 locations throughout Southwest Florida, helping families access care in their own neighborhoods.
Why the continuum of care matters
Investing in early childhood wellness care is one of the most effective ways to promote lifelong health. Routine well-child visits provide opportunities for developmental screening, preventive services, caregiver education, and early intervention when needed. These visits help build a foundation for healthy growth, school readiness, and long-term success.
Pediatric clinicians can also help families navigate nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being and other areas of development, while connecting children with nearby specialists when additional evaluation or treatment is needed.
Building a relationship with a pediatric clinician over time can help establish trust between families and their care team. It also gives clinicians a better understanding of a child’s health and development, which can help guide care as their needs change.
Specialized pediatric care
Sometimes, a child needs care that goes beyond what can be provided during a routine visit. Golisano Children’s Hospital offers a broad range of pediatric services, including emergency care, intensive care, surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurology and orthopedics.
That nearby access can be especially meaningful for families facing a serious diagnosis. Having coordinated, convenient care close to home can also reduce the burden of long drives, time away from responsibilities, and disruptions to daily routines. Just as importantly, it allows families to remain in their own community and close to the people who support them.
Care for the whole child
Being close to home is not only about where a child receives treatment. It is also about how that child experiences care.
For some children, a hospital or medical visit can be overwhelming. Golisano has developed programs and resources designed to make the experience more comfortable and supportive, including child life specialists, facility dogs, child advocates and family support resources.
The hospital is also Florida’s first Certified Autism Hospital™ and has Certified Autism Healthcare Professionals (CAHPs) on staff who help create a more supportive environment for children with autism and other sensory needs. More than 80% of hospital staff are autism-certified, and the hospital has introduced two sensory-friendly ambulances to help make transportation less stressful.
Growing alongside Southwest Florida
As communities across Southwest Florida continue to grow, so does the need for accessible pediatric care. Lee Health’s pediatric network includes locations in communities such as Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte, bringing pediatric services closer to where families live.
A new Pediatric Surgery Center and Family Medicine Clinic is also under construction next to Golisano Children’s Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center, with an anticipated opening in the next few years.
The goal is not simply to have more places where children can receive care. It is to create a connected, convenient network that can support families through routine visits, unexpected illnesses, emergencies and specialized treatment.
To find a pediatric clinician, please visit leehealth.org/find-a-doctor.
For more information on Golisano Children’s Hospital and its range of services, please visit leehealth.org/golisano-childrens-hospital.
Golisano Children’s Hospital is at 9981 S. HealthPark Drive in Fort Myers.
Alyssa Kasiewicz is Lee Health’s vice president and Chief Nurse Executive for Children’s Services.