Pediatrics: A Phone Call Away

Parents with children under 18 can breathe easier knowing that emergent pediatric care consultations are available to the Ocean Reef community. The Medical Center’s commitment to pediatric care is to determine the nature of the care needed and assist with any referral or transfer as appropriate. One of the referral pathways is through Baptist Health South Florida. The Medical Center has partnered with Baptist Children’s Hospital Emergency Center, the region’s premiere pediatric facility, to bring on-site telemedicine to Ocean Reef.

Telemedicine is similar to live video conferencing, and while it may not take the place of being in the same room with a physician, it’s the next best thing when you need immediate specialty consulting — especially when it comes to your child.

Established in 1994, Baptist Children’s Hospital has more than 200 pediatricians and subspecialists, backed by pediatric-trained nurses and support personnel who offer their expertise in nearly every field.

Baptist Children’s Hospital Emergency Center is available to the Medical Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With just a phone call, a Medical Center physician can speak, peer to peer, with a board-certified pediatric emergency room physician using a high-tech camera and computer that enable the pediatric physician to visualize the child to determine the appropriate care path.

“Ocean Reef parents can be assured that their child will receive the best pediatric care available,” said Dr. Fernando Mendoza, medical director of Baptist Children’s Emergency Center. “Baptist Health South Florida and the Medical Center have a long partnership in providing medical excellence to the Ocean Reef Community.”

Calendar reminders: Save these dates! Boutique D’Reef is March 5-7, and the 37th-annual Fun-Raiser is March 19-20 with pickleball, tennis, 9 and 18-hole golf, dinner, music and dancing at the evening festivities. Entry forms will be coming soon!