One benefit of being a part of IPRC is finding colleagues at other organizations across the country and around the world who provide the same services that you do. Each quarter we will feature a different IPRC member organization to celebrate the amazing work you do and help you get to know one another.

Established in 1992 and expanded in 2011, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is a 224 bed freestanding children’s hospital serving children in the South Florida region offering both inpatient and outpatient services.”  At Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we promote a patient- and family-centered care approach to healthcare (PFCC). PFCC, which refers to the planning, evaluating and delivering of a patient’s care, is a mutually beneficial partnership between health care providers, patients and their families. Under the PFCC philosophy, patients, their families and health care professionals are true partners, working together to best meet the needs of the child.”

The Pediatric and Adolescent Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Program treats patients with a variety of diagnoses with the most frequent being:  Brain injury (traumatic, non-traumatic, anoxic, infectious), Stroke, Cerebral Palsy (post-surgery), Neurological Disorders, Orthopedic conditions (trauma or surgery), and Multiple Trauma.  Joe DiMaggio also offers a host of outpatient services with some of their specialty services including:  pediatric urology, feeding, aquatics, serial casting, interactive metronome, Integrated Listening System, TheraSuit with the universal exercise unit, Handwriting Without Tears, wheelchair and equipment clinic (standers and gait trainers), and use of the Armeo.  Also offered are specialized concussion and vestibular care, and a program entitled “U18” which is the under-18 age group for sport rehabilitation.

A truly unique program offered by Joe DiMaggio is The Adaptive Sport and Recreation Program. This program provides access for physically challenged individuals to participate in recreational and sport activities with the assistance of volunteer hospital employees and community volunteers.  Some of the activities include:   adaptive kayaking, scuba diving, bowling, wheelchair tennis and basketball, beach access and many other activities.   These activities assist members of the community to Go Beyond and facilitate their re-entry into a world where many able-bodied people participate on a daily basis.  It increases client motivation, participation, and determination by increasing their ability lead an active lifestyle.

“We enjoy being a part of IPRC due to the excellent educational and networking opportunities. Membership allows us to ask questions of other programs and get information on new ways to improve our program.”
– Joe DiMaggio Pediatric Rehabilitation Staff