Jackson Health System, UHealth – University of Miami Health System, and Shriners Children’s Announce Major Partnership

Jackson Health System, UHealth – University of Miami Health System, and Shriners Children’s announce a new affiliation that will create a regional center of excellence called Shriners Children’s Orthopedic Center at UHealth Jackson Children’s Care.

Shriners Children’s Orthopedic Center will include a dedicated, signature space; new endowed chairs for pediatric orthopedics and pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation; and a framework to advance world-class care for children with traumatic injuries and debilitating conditions, such as spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.

The enhanced orthopedic program will align with other UHealth Jackson Children’s Care signature pediatric services, including organ transplant, cardiac care, neonatology, cancer treatment, neurosurgery and much more.

The long-term commitment will also be the catalyst for a new, state-of-the-art facility exclusively focused on outpatient pediatric care, which will house all ambulatory children’s services from the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus under one roof.

The new building is scheduled to open in 2025, and will rise just east of Northwest 12th Avenue at Northwest 16th Street, steps from the 379-bed Holtz Children’s Hospital. It will sit alongside Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial.

Patient Stories

Sofia Lunn, 7

Shriners Children’s Orthopedic Center will benefit patients with traumatic injuries similar to the one grateful patient Sofia Lunn suffered while enjoying a day at sea.

On February 27, the Lunn family was enjoying a day of boating in Miami when they encountered rough waves in Haulover Inlet, causing Sofia to fall hard inside their boat. She shattered her femur in three places upon impact, and was in excruciating pain. The family immediately sought help from the U.S. Coast Guard, and Sofia was transported to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial.

She successfully underwent surgery to repair her femur fracture, and was walking with the help of a walker the next morning. While at Holtz Children’s Hospital, she received physical therapy before being discharged three days later.

The 7-year-old continued outpatient physical therapy for two months at a facility near her home in Broward County. Sofia has since been able to resume her favorite activities, such as horseback riding, swimming, and rock climbing five months after her traumatic injury.

Brayan Solano, 20

At the age of 1, Brayan Solano had surgery in Cuba for a deformity of his right leg. Six years later, his family, which now resides in Miami, found the trusted orthopedic professionals of Shriners Children’s Florida.

With their guidance, the Solano family faced the critical decision of Brayan having a below-knee amputation so he could experience an active childhood, which included sports. For 11 years, he received treatment at Shriners Children’s in Tampa, where he underwent four surgeries, rehabilitation, and was provided multiple prosthetics as he grew into adulthood.

Now a college student, Brayan can reflect on the impact of Shriners Children’s orthopedic excellence and multidisciplinary approach, and express hope for children in South Florida with news of this exciting affiliation.

Shortly after the announcement, media was invited to join in a parade around Alamo Park, which featured a New Orleans-style jazz band, three small NASCAR race cars, Shriners Dune Buggy Patrol cars, and a fire truck.