USF Pediatric Complex Clinic

07/02/2023

The 2023 hurricane season is here! We would like to remind everyone to come up with a hurricane preparedness plan now in order to keep your loved ones safe.

Recommendations:

1. Sign up for your county's medical shelter:
Plans can change at the last minute when a storm is coming so it is always a good idea to be registered for a medical shelter as a backup plan. Please see link below for the Hillsborough County Medical Shelter Registration Form. Reminder that once a storm is approaching, shelter registration closes - so this must be completed now.
https://hcflgov.formstack.com/forms/special_needs_registry_acknowledgement

2. Create a family emergency plan:
We recommend evacuating with your medically complex child to a safe zone as far away from the storm as possible before the storm makes land fall if at all possible. Consider staying with family, friends, or at a hotel out of range from the storm.
If you are unable to evacuate consider buying a generator and having a secure source of fuel or energy for your generator.
If you cannot afford to evacuate or buy a generator, consider staying at a medical shelter.

Please reach out to your medical provider if you are not sure what the safest course of action is if your medically complex child.

Link for more information on hurricane planning for your family: https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/public-safety/emergency-management/hurricane-and-tropical-storm-preparedness

3. Prepare for caring for your medically complex child
Have at least 2 weeks of medical supplies, food/formula, water
Have at least 1 month supply of all medications
Put together a hard copy list of your emergency contacts, medical providers, and medication list for reference if needed

Remember to stay up to date on the weather and storms during hurricane season, and please reach out to our team with any questions or concerns!

Official Website of Hillsborough County, Florida Government

11/10/2022

All Complex Clinic patients and their families are invited to our annual Christmas Party. Many of the USF and TGH providers that helped care for them will be joining as well. Please RSVP via MyChart. Hope to see you there!

09/28/2022

Our patient Karter and his beautiful journey!

09/26/2022

With the possibility of a hurricane hitting Tampa later this week, we are recommending that all our patients refill all of their prescriptions and equipment at this time. We recommend having at least 2 weeks worth of formula, food, water, medications, and supplies as soon as possible.

If your child is dependent on equipment that relies on electricity such as feeding pumps and ventilators and you do not have a generator at home, we recommend that you plan on staying at the nearest shelter to your home during the storm.

Please reach out to us via your MyChart portal, or call our office directly, with any questions or concerns.

Wishing a safe week,
The Complex Clinic Team

12/01/2021

Erik just celebrated his 2 year old birthday this Fall, and we could not be more excited to share his story! 🎈🎉 This little miracle boy was born at only 22 weeks into pregnancy. He spent 4 ½ months in the NICU before going home, and has been following with our USF-TGH Complex Clinic ever since. After lots of hard work with his specialists and therapist he has come a long way and is now a strong little boy who loves to eat yummy food and run around and keep his parents busy! ⭐️

His mother would like to give a special thank you to his Neonatologist Dr. Flores-Torres and the rest of his wonderful NICU team.

08/05/2021

We are always sad to say goodbye but we are so happy for our families and their NICU babies as they graduate and transition from our USF complex clinic!

09/23/2020

It’s Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week - here are some car seat safety to keep our kids safely buckled in! 🚗 🚦🚙

Be Car Seat Smart with tips from Dr. Michelle Blanco.

08/19/2020

Our USF Complex Clinic is so happy to share a story with you about one of our patients. Maverick was born at 23 weeks and 5 days and he just turned 1! He has truly had an amazing journey and we are so excited for him and his family!

Here is what Maverick's mom Lindsay shared:

"Maverick is ONE!

This little man was born at 23 weeks & 5 days, 1 pound 5.5 ounces, 12 inches long. Maverick spent 121 days in the NICU and left the NICU without one tube or medicine requirement. He had no brain bleeds. He is now 19 pounds & 2ft 3in. He has three full teeth & one half way out! Maverick has been cleared from every specialist except Ophthalmology, he had Avastin in each eye. However we are coming to end with our eye doctor visits, one eye has been cleared and were close to the second one being cleared.

Maverick loves to clap, listen to music, smile & laugh. He loves being outside, snuggles & cuddles, EATING and talking/babbling.
Maverick now thinks he can walk, he’s close but not there yet. He holds on to everything while he walks and now lets go, takes two steps and falls. We are so proud of him & all of his accomplishments.

One of the best decisions we made was going to Tampa General that day when something just didn’t feel right. We now know that I was going into preterm labor due to an incompetent cervix. With the amazing Nurses & Doctors at TGH I was able to keep Maverick cooking for another 4 days to help his lungs mature as much as possible on top of the medicines being injected to ensure he had every advantage possible being born 16 weeks early.

We thank God for all the wonderful nurses & doctors at Tampa General Hospital for all the hard work & time spent on our miracle baby. We are still truly thankful for the doctors and nurses still in Mavericks life."

07/30/2020

Playing outside with your children is a great way to have fun this summer while practicing social distancing. Here are some summer safety tips to keep in mind! ☀️ 🚲 🏊‍♀️ ⚽️ 🧴

Pediatrician Dr. Michelle Blanco shares summer safety tips for kids with Bloom Guest Host Mari White.

07/10/2020