Notice of Data Breach: A third-party vendor was impacted by a cybersecurity incident that may have affected certain patients’ protected health information.
Support programs
ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Shands Children’s Hospital offer many support programs for our patients and their families. These programs provide support for the stresses of hospitalization as well as general health and well-being.
Social workers
Our social workers are here for our patients and their families. They are here to discuss your concerns, provide support and explore solutions.
Some services they provide include:
- Crisis intervention
- Individual, family, and group counseling
- Problem-solving
- Stress management
- Support and educational groups
Discharge planning
Social workers plan your discharge from the hospital. They make referrals to community agencies to help your recovery. These include:
- HomeCare agencies
- Rehabilitation centers
- Sponsorship agencies
- Parenting programs
- Specialized support groups
- Community mental health centers
We also assist in finding resources for patient needs, including:
- Housing assistance
- Transportation assistance
- Emergency financial assistance
Take a tour of pediatric surgery
Join us on a PEDS TOUR, an interactive encounter, where your child can experience an operating room. Our group of RNs, surgical technologists and physicians bring your child right into an actual operating room to allow them to experience the roles of our surgical team and actual surgical tools and equipment.
Places and activities for patients
ÍøºìºÚÁÏ children's healing garden
This therapeutic garden was created especially for engaging children while they are hospitalized. Its primary purpose is for use by young inpatients whose care teams have ‘prescribed’ them time here.
Playrooms
Each pediatric floor has a playroom that is open during the day for pediatric patients and families. All patients and siblings must be supervised by an adult (18 yrs and up). Volunteers may be available to provide supervision when parents cannot be here.
Supervised activity groups
Activity groups are run by a variety of trained volunteers and staff. Children that are unable to go to the playroom can get toys and activities for their room. A schedule for activities is avaliable on every floor.
Personal computers & internet access
Wireless access is available for those patients and families that bring their laptops.
Patient education and resources
Pediatric conditions and treatments
Learn about pediatric medical conditions and diseases we treat.
Clinical trials
At the UF Academic ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Center and across the state, University of Florida researchers conduct many different types of clinical research studies, including clinical trials.
Visit FloridaÍøºìºÚÁÏFinder.gov, where the Agency for ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Care Administration publishes quality and performance information about Florida's health care facilities.
ÍøºìºÚÁÏ Shands Children’s Hospital is the local Children’s Miracle Network participating hospital for the Gainesville/North Central Florida, Tallahassee/South Georgia and West Palm Beach areas.