Eli Nussbaum, M.D., medical director, pediatric pulmonary and cystic fibrosis center, Miller Children’s and Joyce Volsch, vice president, pediatric patient care services, Miller Children’s are joined by pediatric pulmonary patients Allissa Gabriel, 8, and Corey Daniel, 12, for a ceremonial ribbon cutting to unveil the new dedicated pediatric pulmonary wing.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 20, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach unveiled the Pediatric Pulmonary Center – an inpatient wing dedicated to total pediatric pulmonary care for children from birth to 21 years.
The Pediatric Pulmonary Center includes 15 private and semi-private beds and a specialized care team with expertise in the treatment of conditions involving the lungs and respiratory system, such as asthma, lung disease of premature infants, cystic fibrosis, allergies, sleep disorders, upper airway obstruction, neuromuscular disorders, chronic lung disease, pneumonia, immune deficiency disorders and transitional care.
“Many of our patients have complex disorders, so the care team needs to be able to deliver modern treatments,” says Eli Nussbaum, M.D., medical director, pediatric pulmonary and cystic fibrosis center, Miller Children’s. “Our goal was to establish a cohesive group of experts who specialize in complex pulmonary disorders and bring them together in one area of the hospital. This way we can deliver consistent care. The pulmonary wing incorporates a multi-disciplinary team including respiratory therapists who do pulmonary function testing, highly skilled nurses who are versed in inhalation therapy, support staff that help educate our patients and families, and physical and occupational therapists that help patients strengthen their respiratory functions.”
Through continued education and training on the latest pulmonary treatments, the care team provides the highest quality of care and support to help each patient navigate the unique challenges that come with respiratory conditions. Nobody understands the value of this more than Allissa Gabriel, 8, a patient with cystic fibrosis who shared her excitement for the new wing at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“Even though sometimes I feel scared, coming to a familiar place makes it not so bad,” says Gabriel. “Having people around who know about having cystic fibrosis, makes being in the hospital a lot easier. Sometimes it’s even fun.”
The care team works closely with the Pulmonary, Allergy, Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis Outpatient Specialty Center at Miller Children’s to ensure that the individual needs of each patient are addressed from the time of diagnosis, through treatments, procedures, post-procedures and follow-up care in the outpatient clinic.
Above left: Miller Children’s chief operating officer, Suzie Reinsvold, shares a moment with pulmonary patient Corey Daniel, 12, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new dedicated pediatric pulmonary wing.
Above right: Eight-year-old Allissa Gabriel shares her excitement about having a new wing just for pediatric pulmonary patients.