HOLLYWOOD – The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, which has cared for children in Broward County and across South Florida as part of the Memorial Healthcare System based in Hollywood, will present its first American Icon Award to former President Bill Clinton. Hospital authorities will honor the very popular former president with the award on Friday, Jan. 24, during a ceremony at the Don Taft University Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Ave., Davie.
The occasion will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary major league baseball player.
The award was created to honor an “individual who represents the highest of values for which Joe DiMaggio stood,” a hospital statement said.
Clinton, who served two terms as president, established the Clinton Foundation after he left office. The statement said the new award will continue the quarter-century tradition of the Memorial Classic/Joe
DiMaggio Legends Game, a major charity event that raised millions of dollars for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, helping thousands of kids.
The hospital, which was established in 1992, “combines advanced technology and the expertise of the largest, most diverse group of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region,” the statement said. With 204 beds, it is South Florida’s newest freestanding children’s hospital and is staffed 24 hours a day by pediatricians, pediatric specialists, specialty-trained nurses and ancillary support staff. More than 650 physicians are on the medical staff.
The statement said during the 2012 calendar, the staff handled 8,689 admissions, 5,919 surgeries, 663,429 Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital pediatric emergency department visits and 108,621 Memorial Healthcare System pediatric emergency department visits
The four-story, 180,000-square-foot, environmentally friendly facility contains six pediatric operating rooms, dedicated medical/surgical units, family resource centers, ambulatory services, imaging services that feature a CT scanner disguised as a pirate ship, and an entire floor dedicated to inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology treatment.
Each floor has an individual theme of sports, arts, games or dreams and all patient rooms are private and are wired for movies, video games, the Internet and educational programs. Room-service meals are available any time of the day.
“Uniquely inspired by and designed for kids and families, the freestanding building offers many amenities. The vibrant colors, whimsical décor and larger-than-life murals welcome children to an upbeat environment where the ‘Power of Play’ is a healing force,” the statement said.
For sponsorship or ticket information, contact Craig Cohen at 954-265-7241 or crcohen@mhs.net
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