Nov. 2, 2021 — A University of Florida Health Alliance with Shriners Children’s that began in 2019 has culminated in projects to improve the lives of children with musculoskeletal issues and rare bone diseases, including a new UF Health Pediatric Orthopaedics practice space.

Beyond the renovations focusing on the layout and flow of the space, special attention was paid to improving the visual experience for young patients. Whimsical, colorful art throughout the patient areas encourages movement and imagination — both important for a healing environment. UF Health held a special ribbon cutting in October, celebrating the new clinical space with members of Shriners Children’s Florida Board of Governors.

In addition to an expanded staff, new renovations to the patient care space will streamline patient visits. Services in the pediatric orthopaedic practice are now centralized, with patient check-ins, scans and an EOS imaging system, a cast room, X-ray rooms and physical therapy all in one place — a move met with overwhelming approval from patients and their families.

Shriners Children’s committed support to UF Health two years ago, creating a professorship in pediatric orthopaedics,  fellowship in pediatric orthopaedics and funding for improvements of the UF Health pediatric orthopaedic practice space, all aimed at enhancing the patient experience. That support has provided funding for research, faculty and staff development, program and facility enhancements and continuing education related to the care of pediatric orthopaedic patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

In January, Stephanie Ihnow, M.D., a UF College of Medicine pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, was named interim division chief for pediatric orthopaedics. Ihnow joined UF Health after completing her residency at Northwestern University and her fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She treats patients with all needs and specializes in spinal deformities. The search for an additional pediatric orthopaedic faculty position is underway, which will allow for increased patient volume and the ability to focus on more research.

The practice also welcomed a child life specialist to the team who works with patients and their families to subdue fears and anxieties through the innovative use of distractive technology before, during and after procedures. The final planned addition to the team is a case manager to assist patients and their families through treatment at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

The Shriners Children’s alliance has also resulted in expanded research efforts, building on the practice’s long-standing focus on research and innovation. Those efforts include the creation of a Scoliosis Tissue Bank in collaboration with a basic science genetics researcher at UF. UF Health Pediatric Orthopaedics collects tissue from patients who undergo operative treatment for scoliosis, along with saliva from patients and family members, to study the genetics of scoliosis. Patients are also enrolled in the Pediatric Spine Study Group, made up of international spine surgeons who collaborate on research to further knowledge of spinal conditions and treatment.

Aside from these current research programs, several active studies are ongoing, including prospective multicenter studies. As a result of the research, two new manuscripts have been published: “A Clavicular Physeal Fracture and Posterior Sternoclavicular Joint Pseudodislocation: A Case Report” and “Corrective Osteotomy and Physeal Bar Resection for Distal Radial Physeal Arrest After Flexible Nailing: A Case Report.”

These collective improvements — made possible by the alliance with Shriners Children’s — are unquestionably making a difference for UF Health’s pediatric orthopaedic patients. Over the last year, intensive care unit admissions have fallen and inpatient satisfaction scores remain consistently high.

Mark T. Scarborough, M.D., chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine at the UF College of Medicine, and his team are optimistic for the future of the alliance and look forward to continued innovations and advances in the care they provide.

“Because of the commitment of so many supporters and our shared vision to alleviate the suffering of children affected by orthopaedic disease, we will make significant strides that will affect the lives and happiness of our patients and their families,” Scarborough said.