UHealth Jackson Children's Care

01/27/2026

Not every cough or sniffle means your child needs to stay home from school. But some symptoms are a sign their body needs rest or medical attention. 🎒🤒

Keep your child home if they have:
✅ Fever of 100.4°F or higher
✅ Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
✅ Unexplained rash or skin infection
✅ Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
✅ Pink eye with discharge
✅ Extreme fatigue or body aches

They can usually go to school with:
-Mild cold symptoms and fever-free for 24 hours
-Minor cough that's improving
-Seasonal allergies (if controlled)

When in doubt, keep them home to rest and prevent spreading illness to classmates. If symptoms feel more concerning or you're unsure what to do next, UHealth Jackson Urgent Care provides care for non-emergency illnesses and injuries, flu shots, and same-day evaluation for common symptoms.

Walk in or save your spot online. https://jacksonurgentcare.com/

01/22/2026

Every child is growing in their own beautiful way. 🌱
With patience, love, and support, we help them become who they’re meant to be.

01/21/2026

Thinking about starting a family? 👶 🍼 Don't just play this episode—SAVE it.

Joanne Ruggiero, CEO of Jackson Memorial Medical Center, brings her years of experience as a labor & delivery nurse and gets real about what actually happens during childbirth. In this episode, Joanne talks about the importance of flexible birth plans, navigating high-risk situations, and those deeply personal moments no one prepares you for.

Whether you're expecting now or planning for the future, this conversation is essential.

New episode of On Call, Off Script out now. 🎧 https://jacksonhealth.org/podcast/oh-baby/

01/21/2026

National Hugging Day calls for extra squeezes. 🤗

Who’s getting your hug today? Tag them below!

01/19/2026

All smiles, all spirit! Sebastian and Holtzy are throwing up the U and wishing the Canes the best of luck in the National Championship. 💚🧡🙌

01/16/2026

Wellness visits aren’t just routine, they’re essential. ✨🩺

Dr. Oneith Cadiz breaks down why these visits are so important for your child’s overall health. From tracking growth and development to making nutritional recommendations, checking milestones, and staying up to date on immunizations, every visit helps set your little one up for a healthier future.

Whether you’re looking for a general pediatrician or a specialist, UHealth Jackson Children’s Care is here for your family with expert care for every stage.

📆 Schedule your child’s next visit today and stay one step ahead of their health. Learn more at https://pediatrics.jacksonhealth.org/

01/15/2026

There's a lot of pressure around how you "should" handle labor pain.

The truth? Your comfort matters. Your choices matter. And choosing pain relief doesn't make you any less strong.
Whether you choose an epidural, non-medical comfort measures, or a mix of both, every experience is unique. Our team is here to walk alongside you, explain your options, and support whatever feels right for you.

You deserve to feel informed, empowered, and cared for every step of the way. 💙

Explore our maternity services or find an OB/GYN at https://maternity.jacksonhealth.org/

01/13/2026

Mornings can move fast, especially on school days. But don't worry -- our nutritionists and dieticians have you covered. Swipe through for a few easy breakfast ideas that can help save time without skipping an important meal.

🥣 Yogurt parfaits offer protein and calcium, and can be assembled in minutes.
🍞 Peanut butter toast combines whole grains and healthy fats to help keep kids satisfied.
🥤 Smoothies are an easy way to include fruits and nutrients for kids on the go.
🍳 Egg muffins can be made ahead and reheated for a quick protein-rich breakfast.
🥛 Overnight oats are a nutritious prep-ahead option that saves time in the morning.

A little planning can make mornings smoother while supporting your child’s energy and focus during the school day.

01/09/2026

When Christina Matthew-Deffo learned she was expecting her second child, she and her family were filled with hope. After experiencing previous losses, this pregnancy felt especially meaningful. 💜

At just 26 weeks, that hope was tested when what began as a routine prenatal visit quickly turned into a race against time. Christina’s son, Caleb, was born weighing just 2 pounds and was immediately admitted to the NICU at Holtz Children’s Hospital.
There, multidisciplinary teams worked closely with Christina and her family, supporting Caleb through each fragile milestone while helping his parents stay connected, informed, and involved every step of the way.

After months of care, Caleb is now thriving at home with his parents and big sister by his side. ✨

“Jackson cared for our son with skill and love. It wasn’t just the right place; Jackson was the place we were meant to be,” Christina shared.

Read Caleb’s full story at https://jacksonhealth.org/.../baby-born-at-just-26-weeks.../

01/07/2026

There’s no question too small, or too awkward! 😅 From colorful poops and developmental milestones to knowing when to visit the doctor or the ER, our experts are answering the parenting questions you Google late at night… and the ones you’re not sure how to ask.

In the next Parental Guidance episode, join us for an open, honest conversation designed to help you feel more confident and informed as a parent.

🗓️ January 15
⏰ 12 p.m. ET
💻 Via Zoom

Register here: https://jhsmiami.zoom.us/webinar/register/2017660087340/WN_UxrP0DZBQxCP1gYaf91evw #/registration 💙

01/05/2026

Big feelings deserve care, too 💛 When children feel safe, supported, and heard, it helps them grow healthier — inside and out.

01/02/2026

From bedtime routines to screen time limits, small changes can make a big difference in how well kids sleep. Looking for tips? Swipe through for simple, practical tips to help support healthy sleep habits for your child.

📺 Turning off screens earlier in the evening can help kids feel sleepy closer to bedtime.
📖 Quiet, screen-free activities help signal that it’s time to wind down.
📱 Device light can delay the body’s natural sleep cues, especially when used at night.
🔌 Charging devices outside the bedroom can reduce late-night use and interruptions.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 When parents limit their own screen use at night, kids are more likely to follow.

Quality sleep plays an important role in your child’s growth and well-being. What are you doing at home when it's time for bed? Let us know in the comments below.

01/01/2026

Welcoming 2026 with the first babies of the year at Jackson 👶✨

Lucas Mateo was born at Jackson North Medical Center at 1:36 a.m., weighing 8 lbs. 1 oz.

Naomi D’lani de la Cruz was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 3:47 a.m., weighing 5 lbs. 7 oz.

🎉 Happy New Year from everyone at Jackson! Wishing both families a year filled with health and happiness.

12/29/2025

Between holiday fun, travel, and relaxed schedules, bedtime can get a little chaotic. Dr. Jussethy Cortina shares simple ways to keep kids rested, regulated, and ready for the day — even during the holiday excitement. 🌙

12/25/2025

From giggles and hugs to crafts, kindness, and cheers, this season at Holtz Children’s Hospital was made of moments that mattered. Every day brought a little joy, a lot of heart, and countless reasons to smile shared by our patients, families, care teams, and our incredible community.

Today, we’re wrapping it all up with some holiday cheer. Happy Holidays! 🎄✨

12/24/2025

❄️🎁 During the holiday season, our annual Snowpile event gives parents who are spending the holidays with their children in the hospital the chance to pick out gifts for their kiddos, filling the hospital with smiles, excitement, surprise, and a little extra holiday magic. For families spending time here, this brings moments of joy that make the season feel brighter.

This tradition is made possible by the generosity of our community and the volunteers who help bring it all together. Every gift helps create meaningful moments for our patients and their families.

Thank you for helping make the holiday season so special. ✨💛

For those who would still like to give, our Amazon wishlist is open year-round to support our pediatric patients.

🔗 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1KXZ7DWO1FRF7/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

12/24/2025

One pool. One split second.
This story could've ended tragically for 8-year-old Dylan Smith. Instead, it became a powerful story of survival and life-saving care.

After nearly drowning, Dylan arrived at Holtz Children’s Hospital in critical condition. He suffered a cardiac arrest, and the medical team's biggest fear was that his brain wasn't receiving enough oxygen. But, with the help of our pediatric ICU and rehabilitation teams, he fought his way back to strength and independence.

🎧 Listen to this Month of Miracles episode of On Call, Off Script

https://jacksonhealth.org/podcast/the-boy-who-beat-the-odds-dylans-near-drowning-miracle-story/

12/22/2025

A rainbow after the storm 🌈💙

After experiencing a devastating miscarriage, Rodh Ambroise found hope again when she learned she was pregnant on New Year’s Day. But midway through her pregnancy, her baby was diagnosed with lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), a rare and severe condition that blocks urine from leaving the baby’s bladder, leading to kidney damage and underdeveloped lungs.

Thanks to the expertise of Rodrigo Ruano, MD, PhD, and the multidisciplinary team at the UHealth Jackson Fetal Care Center, Rodh underwent a life-saving fetal intervention at Jackson Memorial Hospital to bypass the blockage and restore the amniotic fluid her baby needed to develop healthy lungs — giving her baby a chance at life before he was even born.

That chance carried them through months of care at Holtz Children’s Hospital, where baby Raphael spent 257 days in the NICU surrounded by a team that never stopped fighting for him.

“They told me he wouldn’t survive, but everyone at Jackson never stopped believing,” Rodh shared. “They gave me hope when I had none.”

Read the full story @ https://pediatrics.jacksonhealth.org/patient-stories/a-rainbow-after-the-storm-how-uhealth-jacksons-fetal-care-team-helped-a-mother-and-baby-overcome-a-rare-diagnosis/

12/19/2025

What a week at Holtz Children’s Hospital 🎄💙

From reconnecting with our tiniest fighters at the NICU Reunion, to Santa visiting our newest NICU patients, the holiday spirit was everywhere. We were honored to welcome the City of Miami Firefighters and the Jason Taylor Foundation as they delivered gifts to brighten our patients’ days, watched Holtzy spread smiles and laughter throughout the hospital, and saw the pure joy our K9 friend brought to patients and their families.

Moments like these remind us that healing is about more than medicine — it’s about connection, comfort, and joy. ✨

12/18/2025

A new chapter for Caden ❤️

Thanks to FDA-approved gene therapy at Holtz Children’s Hospital, this South Florida teen is now pain-free after years of living with sickle cell disease.

Thank you, CBS Miami and Lauren Pastrana for sharing his powerful story:

Caden Major was born with sickle cell disease – an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells. Now at 19 years old, doctors said he's essentially "cured" thanks to gene therapy treatment at Holtz Children's Hospital.

12/18/2025

Our tiniest graduates returned to where their journeys began.

This year’s NICU reunion was filled with joy, gratitude, and proud moments as families reconnected with the team that helped give their children the best start in life.

These reunions are a beautiful reminder of the lasting impact of our care teams and the strength of the families we serve. 💖👶

12/15/2025

Ever wonder what it takes to safely transport the tiniest patients? 🚑🩷

Go behind the scenes with Adrian and Daymay from our pediatric newborn transport team as they walk us through the training, coordination, and clinical expertise that go into every transport. From simulations to the real-time decisions made on the road, their work helps ensure newborn babies receive the care they need as quickly and safely as possible.

Follow along as we continue highlighting the teams who make UHealth Jackson Children’s Care extraordinary. ✨

12/12/2025

Another year, another heartwarming visit from Mahi Shriners 🎅✨

They brought Santa, smiles, and holiday cheer to the kids at Holtz Children's and also visited Dr. Grottkau and our pediatric orthopedic team at Shriners Children’s Pediatric Orthopedic Center at UHealth Jackson Children’s Care.

Thank you for making this season brighter for our patients. 😊

12/11/2025

El juego no es solo diversión, es una herramienta poderosa para apoyar el desarrollo de su hijo autista. 🧩💙 A través del juego con intención, las familias pueden fortalecer el vínculo, fomentar la comunicación y manejar mejor los desafíos sensoriales.

No te pierdas nuestro próximo episodio de Parental Guidance para descubrir estrategias prácticas y basadas en evidencia sobre el poder del juego en el autismo.

🗓️ 18 de diciembre
⏰ 12 p. m. ET
💻 Vía Zoom

Regístrate aqui https://jhsmiami.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VwsP6_xzQM-cjlCpYy8xMw #/registration y se parte de esta conversación con nuestros expertos. ¡Te esperamos! 🌟

12/09/2025

The holidays have officially arrived at Holtz Children’s Hospital 🎄✨

Last week brought our annual holiday kick-off parade, meet-and-greets with Santa, plenty of fun with Holtzy, and a festive celebration with our rehabilitation teams.

We love celebrating the season with our patients and families. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season. 💛