Central Florida is a rapidly growing community, and that growth necessitates an increased prioritization of programs, partnerships and resources that address the underlying factors impacting the well-being of children.
ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2024) – Hundreds of business leaders, health care professionals, educators, policymakers and community advocates representing more than 80 organizations across Central Florida came together as the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity at Nemours Children’s Health hosted its second annual Child Health Equity Symposium in Orlando.
The symposium served as a forum for leaders and organizations throughout the region to jointly develop strategies to tackle some of the most pressing issues impacting the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of children.
“Central Florida is a rapidly growing community, and that growth necessitates an increased prioritization of programs, partnerships and resources that address the underlying factors impacting the well-being of children,” said Nancy Molello, Executive Director for the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity at Nemours Children’s Health. “The symposium provides a space for real-time, solution-focused collaboration, and the collective efforts and expertise of all those in attendance is exactly what it will take to champion measures that improve the quality of life for children and families in our community.”
To help support health equity initiatives within the area, the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity announced $100,000 in community grant opportunities at this year’s symposium. The grants will be awarded to organizations to implement projects across four key areas—quality education, economic stability, food as medicine and mental health.
In addition, the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity presented the Mental Health Association of Central Florida with its 2024 Community Champion Award. The award recognizes organizations for their commitment to advancing child and adolescent well-being through impactful programs and initiatives that align with at least one of the four key areas of focus. Based in Orlando, the Mental Health Association of Central Florida is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting those living with mental illness while promoting overall mental wellness and access to mental health care for all.
A first-of-its-kind initiative, the Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity at Nemours Children’s Health was launched in 2022 with a $25 million gift from the Ginsburg Family Foundation. The Institute works across the region to provide leadership, build community partnerships and create innovative programs to improve children's health and lives by advancing health equity.
“We are fortunate to live in a community where leaders come together around the common goal of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Eddy Moratin, President of Lift Orlando, who attended and served as a panelist at the event. “The Ginsburg Institute for Health Equity’s mission aligns well with that of Lift Orlando and so many other organizations in the area, and the symposium shows that together we can create a healthier future for all children across Central Florida.”
###
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also addressing children’s needs well beyond medicine. In producing the highly acclaimed, award-winning pediatric medicine podcast Well Beyond Medicine, Nemours underscores that commitment by featuring the people, programs and partnerships addressing whole child health. Nemours Children's also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.
Nemours has a number of service regions. Selecting your region will help us show you the right contact information and the most relevant content for you.