At 3 months old, Joanna Burns had been admitted to her local hospital six times before her rapidly deteriorating condition prompted a four-hour-plus trip in search of answers. That journey finally led her to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, where her baby was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of drug‑resistant epilepsy that begins in infancy and can cause developmental delays.
Every year, 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals identify a “Champion” in each of their communities to serve as the face for children treated at their children’s hospital. These ambassadors spend the year advocating for the charitable needs of children’s hospitals across North America. As the 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Champion at…
Photo courtesy of Bunnell. Because of your continued support and generosity toward Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, UF Health has purchased two Bunnell high-frequency jet ventilators. The Bunnell high-frequency jet ventilator provides low-flow ventilation. By removing carbon dioxide, this device is particularly effective in treating infants with air leaks. The high-frequency…
Every year, 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals identify a “Champion” in each of their communities to serve as the face for children treated at their local children’s hospital. These ambassadors spend the year advocating for the charitable need of children’s hospitals across North America. UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital is excited to…
January 15 is a special date for Beckett and the Genuardi family. It’s a day where the 8-year-old celebrates all he has overcome and accomplished. Because on this date eight years ago, the Genuardi family received the greatest gift of all – a heart transplant for Beckett. “We celebrated my…
Powie Patterson was “just surviving.” That is how Kristen Patterson describes her daughter, Powie, before UF Health. “She was bouncing from infection to infection,” Kristen said. “She has gone from merely surviving to thriving.” Powie is living with mitochondrial disease, a disorder that occurs when mitochondria fail to produce enough…
During May, the sound of a gong ringing filled Costco Warehouse 1026 in Tallahassee. That’s because their team was once again striving to “change kids’ health.” Over the 31 days, Costco associates and cashiers collected donations at the register and even sold custom tote bags, all in an effort to…
Dani-Lynn Early is beaming ear-to-ear. Dressed in a lime green dress, Dani-Lynn shines a smile to a room full of contestants, judges and pageant queens. A sparkling crown sits atop her head, and a sash proclaiming her as “Tiny Miss Universe” is placed over her right shoulder. At just 7…
Serving as the CMN Hospitals Champion for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital can be a big job, especially for a 7-year-old. But with school out, our 2022 Champion, Beckett, made sure to make the most of his summer. So we asked…Water you doing, Beckett? He spent a great…
From left to right: Shelley Collins, M.D., FAAP, associate chief medical officer at UF Health Shands Hospital, associate dean for student affairs and professor of pediatrics at UF College of Medicine, Anna Michelle Brandt, associate vice president of operations at UF Health Shands Hospital, Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., dean…
