Our History

2022

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital reaches new heights in care for kids with a state-of-the-art, four-story 156,000-square-foot expansion in November 2022. World-class patient rooms, cardiac hybrid operating rooms, ICU and cardiac ICU, iMRI and Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone with therapeutic play are just a few of the additions built on our foundation of patient- and family-centered care and a belief in the healing Power of Play.

2011

The hospital for kids! The new Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital opened its doors to patients on Thursday, July 21, 2011. Located on property adjacent to Memorial Regional Hospital and the existing Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, it is South Florida’s newest freestanding children’s hospital and the first in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

2010

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Pediatric Heart Transplant Program – one of just four in Florida – is established, and the team successfully performs its first heart transplant on December 15, 2010.

2009

A webcam launches on JDCH.com, providing a live look at the construction of the new Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

The Wasie Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion increases capacity to 22 Level II beds and 42 Level III beds.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital receives the Pediatric Heart Transplantation Certificate of Need.

The groundbreaking of the new Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital takes place.

2008

Let the ball game begin! The 20th anniversary of the Memorial Classic Joe DiMaggio Legends Game takes place. To date, the Classic has raised more than $14.5 million for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

2007

A healthy expansion! Memorial Regional Hospital gets the City of Hollywood’s approval to build a new Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital on property close to both health facilities.

2006

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital launches a new emergency helicopter transport service to transfer children from healthcare facilities as far away as Central Florida and the Florida Keys.

Cardiac program expands to offer comprehensive Pediatric Heart Station for cardiac testing.

2005

This is the hospital for kids! Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital expands its Emergency Department, doubling the treatment areas and creating a child-friendly atmosphere.

The only comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program for children in Broward and Palm Beach counties opens.

Pediatric emergency services expand through affiliation with Children’s Emergency Department at the newly opened Memorial Hospital Miramar.

2004

Expansion of Pediatric Ambulatory Unit and new Dialysis Services.

The Diamond Angels is established. It is a volunteer fundraising group of community women coming together to support Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

2003

Let's honor a champion! The Visitors Clubhouse is renamed as the Conine Clubhouse in honor of Marlins World Series champion and clubhouse co-founder Jeff Conine and his wife, Cindy.

2002

In celebration of its 10th birthday, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital constructs a new entrance. North 35th Avenue is renamed Joe DiMaggio Drive by the City of Hollywood.

Patient- and Family-Centered Care is initiated at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. The philosophy is based on the belief that healthcare can be enhanced by building more effective partnerships among healthcare providers, patients and families.

2001

A dream come true! The Cleft and Craniofacial Center opens, providing treatment for children with complex facial deformities.

The Love Jen Family Support Center opens to provide support services for families of children in the hospital.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital develops a partnership with Broward County School Board to provide a full-time teacher in-house.

2000

Children’s Mobile Health Center begins providing free exams.

Our Medical Air Transport Team launches with dedicated certified pediatric specialists and specially equipped Learjet.

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit adds 12 beds.

The Joe DiMaggio Sports Memorabilia Gallery, provided by the Engelberg family, opens in the hospital lobby.

1999

The world loses a hero. Joseph Paul DiMaggio dies at age 84 after losing his battle against cancer. Celebrities, civic leaders, fans and children pay their respects to the legendary ballplayer at a special candlelight ceremony.

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/Cardiac Care Unit adds eight beds.

1998

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital pediatric emergency services expand through an affiliation with the Memorial Hospital West Children's Emergency Department.

1997

What a homerun! Joe DiMaggio and fellow professional baseball player Jeff Conine celebrate the opening of the Visitor’s Clubhouse to serve as a “home away from home” for families of hospitalized children.

1996

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital’s new Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program is the first to provide cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Joe DiMaggio and friends mark the opening of Broward County’s first Pediatric Emergency Department.

Dedicated Ground Transport Team begins service with specially trained staff.

1995

The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Center opens. Affiliated with the National Pediatric Oncology Group, the new center provides sophisticated treatment of cancer and diseases of the blood, including leukemia and brain tumors.

1993

The Cystic Fibrosis Center opens, one of only a few nationally accredited cystic fibrosis centers in Florida. Multidisciplinary teams provide comprehensive, advanced treatment.

The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit public foundation dedicated to supporting the hospital, is established.

1992

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital—the first pediatric hospital in Broward County—opens as a facility of Memorial Healthcare System.