HEALTHy OPPORTUNITIES for All
Leading the Way
Through leadership, research, community partnerships, and innovative programs, we’re working to ensure every child and family has access to the resources they need to create a healthy future.
Hear how the Ginsburg Institute prepares future leaders to support health opportunities.
Ginsburg Institute
Promises made. Promises kept.
Founded by a $25 million transformational gift from the Ginsburg Family Foundation in 2022, the Ginsburg Institute at Nemours Children’s Health has demonstrated remarkable impact under the leadership of Executive Director Nancy Molello, MSB. In just two years, the Institute has established an operational framework, facilitated two annual community symposia, developed strategies to mentor next-generation leaders, tested and scaled successful practices, and made impactful community-based investments across Central Florida.
Since 2023, $769,000 has been invested throughout Central Florida in community programs that are improving the lives of more than 10,000 children.
The second annual Child Health Symposium, “Thriving Communities, Thriving Youth,” brought together 200+ stakeholders from 90 organizations to tackle health challenges.
Event Highlights:
- Fireside chat with keynote speaker Dave Choksi, MD, former New York City Health Commissioner, and Kara Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS, Chief Population Health Officer at Nemours
- Panel discussion with youth and adult leaders from Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and ELEVATE Orlando
- $10,000 Community Champion Award presented to the Mental Health Association of Central Florida
This symposium reinforces the power of cross-sector collaboration — among business, education, government, health, and nonprofit organizations — to break down barriers and create lasting change.
The Ginsburg Institute Health Scholars Program equips future health care professionals to address pediatric health challenges. This year-long program is designed for recent college graduates, offering:
- Research skills development
- Mentorship from Nemours Children’s clinical researchers
- Community engagement experience
By combining hands-on research with community work, scholars gain the tools needed for medical school or public health careers — helping bring evidence-based solutions to resilient communities.
Ginsburg Scholar Shedeline Ulysse’s research, “Social Determinants’ Role in Pediatric Respiratory Health,” under the mentorship of Aledie A. Navas Nazario, MD, Tanvi R. Patel, MD, and Nancy Molello, was published in January 2025.
“As a future physician, I think the skills I have gained are invaluable and have offered me a different perspective that will allow me to better care for my patients in the future.”
— Shedeline Ulysse, Nemours Children’s Clinical Research Coordinator
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Ginsburg Scholars Mentored
For the second year, Nemours Children’s Health was honored by National Research Corporation Health with the 2024 Excellence in Patient Experience Award, ranking #1 among pediatric hospitals.
Experience EXCELLENCE
Demonstrating Understanding
From patient rounding and post-visit surveys to in-person and virtual advisory councils, we’re continuously tapping into patient family insights to improve our understanding and delivery of optimal patient experiences. While a variety of demographics or cultural norms may influence patient needs, each individual’s uniqueness offers an opportunity to expand our perspective and ability to offer safe, effective and personalized care.
Encouraging All Voices
Speak Up™ was originally launched by The Joint Commission as a campaign to empower adults in their health care journey. Our Patient Experience team further expanded this concept for pediatric patients and their families, providing staff training on communication techniques to foster a Speak Up culture while developing tools and materials that encourage patient and advocate participation. Families provide critical information that can help prevent harm and ensure the safest, best possible outcomes. This enterprise-wide initiative encourages clinicians to make space for families to share that information, addressing barriers related to areas such as language, culture, age, role, knowledge base, or emotional and environmental factors. The program aims to build stronger provider-patient relationships that enhance our empathy and understanding for the benefit of all patients.
A Roadmap to OPPORTUNITY
Valuable Ideas
We prioritize inclusion and belonging to create a stronger workforce and improve patient care. By partnering with associates, patients, and families, we foster respect, understanding, and better outcomes for children.
In 2024, we introduced new Inclusion, Development, Experience and Alignment (IDEA) initiatives, including the Health Opportunities Champion program, which focuses on reducing differences in flu vaccination rates.
IDEA 101 & 201
Two new web-based courses, completed by 4,000 associates, support our Standards of Behavior. “Micro-validations: Fostering Inclusion Through Everyday Encounters” teaches positive actions, while “Cultivating Positive Identities at Work” helps recognize individual strengths and contributions. Both foster belonging in the workplace.
IDEA Scholars
IDEA Scholars, recent graduates paired with Nemours Children’s mentors, lead projects to effect change and advance optimal outcomes. In 2024, we extended the program from 10 weeks to 10 months, giving scholars more time to complete and assess their work. This year, five scholars helped close care gaps, from improving IV stewardship to teaching oral health in schools, while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
IDEA Forums
Each quarter, IDEA Forums offer associates updates on opportunities to shape future work and glean insights from guest speakers, including team members from our National Office of Policy & Prevention and Health Opportunity Champion leaders.
In 2024, more than 653 associates participated in IDEA Forums.
Salute to Associate Resource Groups
Our seven Associate Resource Groups support and celebrate the unique experiences of our team members. New in 2024, Salute fosters community among our military and veteran associates, and offers opportunities to advocate for better care and support for military-connected patients and staff.
Workforce Pipeline Development
Future Faces of Health
The Nemours Workforce Pipeline Development Program introduces teens and young adults to careers in health care. Our program connects students with mentors and offers academic support to foster learning and success as they explore health care employment pathways.
In 2024, our efforts focused on school engagement and professional development, reaching tens of thousands of students and future health care professionals across the Delaware Valley and throughout Florida.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Health Care Leaders
From interactive programs with Junior Achievement to career fairs and open houses for high school and college students, these initiatives reflect our commitment to building workforce pipelines, exposing students to the careers available in health care beyond traditional roles, and creating advancement pathways for current associates..
“My work environment has truly helped me reveal and recognize my potential in the health care industry. Working at Nemours Children’s has proven to me that there is so much more I can pursue with the right education and opportunities.”
— 2024/2025 Medical Assistant Co-Op Class Student Participant
A Win-Win-Win
Outcomes for our 2024/2025 Medical Assistant Co-Op cohort:
100%
stayed on full-time, casual, part-time, or per diem through the summer
25%
have gone on to a four-year college, two on full scholarships to either nursing or physician assistant school
86%
stayed on
as a medical assistant or tech beyond the summer and into 2025
100%
will leverage tuition reimbursement, of which 95% will be majoring in nursing