The Building Better Communities General Obligation Program (GOB) is providing funds for a number of improvements to healthcare facilities in Miami-Dade County including expansion of hospital units at Jackson Memorial Hospital.  The first of these multi-phase projects-a new pediatric unit-was recently completed at the Holtz Children's Hospital at Jackson.

The expanded and renovated pediatric intensive care until, which received $24 million in GOB funds, is designed to help parents play a more active role in their child's treatment and recovery.  The large rooms allow families to comfortably stay overnight with their ill child.  In addition, the unit will have two operating rooms and a cardiac catheterization lab specifically designed for pediatric patients.

"The Building Better Communities Program is making a difference throughout our community," said Mayor Carlos Alvarez.  "The healthcare projects funded by the GOB are aimed at improving patient care and expanding the reach of the County's only public hospital throughout the community."

The Holtz Children's Hospital at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center is one of the largest children's hospitals in the Southeastern United States.  It is known worldwide for its team of pediatric medical specialists experienced in caring for critically ill children.  Holtz provides research and treatment for a wide range of pediatric medical specialties including diabetes, oncology, cardiology and infectious diseases.

The new 30 -room pediatric unit features rooms with children's' beds and fold-down chairs that will permit parents to sleep in the same room.  Medical authorities believe that family support resources, such as these, aids in providing quality medical care for seriously ill children.

Other GOB healthcare projects include the expansion of Jackson South Community Hospital that is scheduled for completion in 2011.  The hospital will double in size to better meet the healthcare needs of South Miami-Dade residents.  The $102 million expansion project (approximately 50 percent funded from GOB revenues) is located on 5.6 acres west of the existing hospital.  The construction will expand the emergency room and surgical facilities and will add some 60 new private patient rooms to the 199-bed facility.  The expansion will be a multi-phase construction project so the hospital will remain operational throughout the work period.

Jackson South Community Hospital, part of the Jackson Health System, offers a wide array of specialties including maternity, rehabilitation and robotic Technology and wound care.

Another Jackson service area, the radiology facilities at the main hospital, will also be upgraded with $9 million in GOB funding over the next several years.