New Partnership between Nicklaus Children's and FIU Transforms Pediatric Healthcare Education
On May 20, 2025, Nicklaus Children's Health System entered into a significant collaboration with Florida International University (FIU), specifically its Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, marking a transformative moment in the pediatric healthcare landscape of South Florida. This partnership aims to not only enhance the quality of pediatric care but also to expand educational opportunities for future medical professionals, thus addressing the pressing need for more pediatric specialists in the region.
Celebrated at FIU's Earlene and Albert Dotson Pavilion, the partnership brings together two leading institutions: the top public research university in South Florida and the region's foremost pediatric hospital. With a shared mission to improve child health outcomes through education, innovative research, and clinical excellence, the two organizations are poised to reshape the future of pediatric medicine.
Matthew A. Love, the president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, emphasized the potential of this collaboration, stating, "This partnership represents a powerful opportunity to innovate, educate, and lead in the academic healthcare space. Coming together as the leading pediatric hospital and the leading research university in South Florida, the possibilities of changing the healthcare landscape are endless and will reinforce our commitment to making sure no child has to leave Florida for care."
One of the primary objectives of this alliance is to tackle the anticipated nationwide shortage of pediatricians, which could reach nearly 13,000 by 2037. The partnership will expand graduate medical education programs, including residencies and fellowships, aimed at attracting and training highly specialized physicians who will conduct groundbreaking research on childhood illnesses. As Jeanette M. Nuñez, interim president of FIU, noted, "This partnership unites two cornerstone institutions with a shared purpose to improve the health and well-being of our community's children. By combining our strengths, we are creating a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking discoveries that will transform pediatric care in South Florida and beyond."
A unique aspect of their collaboration is the integration of FIU medical students into the pediatric environment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. As part of their curriculum, all FIU medical students must complete a pediatric clerkship at the hospital, with approximately 120 students rotating there each year. This hands-on experience is crucial in preparing the next generation of pediatricians to meet the unique healthcare needs of their communities.
Dr. Juan C. Cendan, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of understanding the local community's needs when training future doctors. He stated, "When a public university medical school joins with a children's hospital, we can do more than educate doctors; we can create cures and train pediatricians who understand our neighbors and their special needs." This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Stephanie San Martin, a proud alumna of FIU who is now completing her fellowship at Nicklaus Children's. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "Matching at Nicklaus Children's Hospital was a dream come true; it fills me with gratitude and hope as I embark on my journey as an attending physician."
Nicklaus Children's Health System is renowned as South Florida's #1 nonprofit specialty hospital dedicated to children, serving nearly 70% of the pediatric population in the Miami area. With specialized centers of excellence in areas like cancer, orthopedics, and cardiology, the hospital has built a solid reputation over 75 years for excellence in pediatric medicine, consistently ranked among the nation's best programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Meanwhile, FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine stands out as South Florida's first public medical school, dedicated to increasing accessibility to medical education. The school's pioneering programs emphasize understanding health in the context of social factors, which is essential for addressing the needs of diverse populations.
In conclusion, this partnership represents a pivotal step forward in pediatric healthcare education and patient care in South Florida. By uniting efforts, Nicklaus Children's and FIU are committed to ensuring healthier futures for children within their communities through innovation, education, and compassionate care. This collaboration is set to leave a lasting impact not just locally, but on the pediatric healthcare system at a national level.
Celebrated at FIU's Earlene and Albert Dotson Pavilion, the partnership brings together two leading institutions: the top public research university in South Florida and the region's foremost pediatric hospital. With a shared mission to improve child health outcomes through education, innovative research, and clinical excellence, the two organizations are poised to reshape the future of pediatric medicine.
Matthew A. Love, the president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, emphasized the potential of this collaboration, stating, "This partnership represents a powerful opportunity to innovate, educate, and lead in the academic healthcare space. Coming together as the leading pediatric hospital and the leading research university in South Florida, the possibilities of changing the healthcare landscape are endless and will reinforce our commitment to making sure no child has to leave Florida for care."
One of the primary objectives of this alliance is to tackle the anticipated nationwide shortage of pediatricians, which could reach nearly 13,000 by 2037. The partnership will expand graduate medical education programs, including residencies and fellowships, aimed at attracting and training highly specialized physicians who will conduct groundbreaking research on childhood illnesses. As Jeanette M. Nuñez, interim president of FIU, noted, "This partnership unites two cornerstone institutions with a shared purpose to improve the health and well-being of our community's children. By combining our strengths, we are creating a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking discoveries that will transform pediatric care in South Florida and beyond."
A unique aspect of their collaboration is the integration of FIU medical students into the pediatric environment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. As part of their curriculum, all FIU medical students must complete a pediatric clerkship at the hospital, with approximately 120 students rotating there each year. This hands-on experience is crucial in preparing the next generation of pediatricians to meet the unique healthcare needs of their communities.
Dr. Juan C. Cendan, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of understanding the local community's needs when training future doctors. He stated, "When a public university medical school joins with a children's hospital, we can do more than educate doctors; we can create cures and train pediatricians who understand our neighbors and their special needs." This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Stephanie San Martin, a proud alumna of FIU who is now completing her fellowship at Nicklaus Children's. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "Matching at Nicklaus Children's Hospital was a dream come true; it fills me with gratitude and hope as I embark on my journey as an attending physician."
Nicklaus Children's Health System is renowned as South Florida's #1 nonprofit specialty hospital dedicated to children, serving nearly 70% of the pediatric population in the Miami area. With specialized centers of excellence in areas like cancer, orthopedics, and cardiology, the hospital has built a solid reputation over 75 years for excellence in pediatric medicine, consistently ranked among the nation's best programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Meanwhile, FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine stands out as South Florida's first public medical school, dedicated to increasing accessibility to medical education. The school's pioneering programs emphasize understanding health in the context of social factors, which is essential for addressing the needs of diverse populations.
In conclusion, this partnership represents a pivotal step forward in pediatric healthcare education and patient care in South Florida. By uniting efforts, Nicklaus Children's and FIU are committed to ensuring healthier futures for children within their communities through innovation, education, and compassionate care. This collaboration is set to leave a lasting impact not just locally, but on the pediatric healthcare system at a national level.
Topics Health）
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