Orlando Southwest - Issue #5 (July 2024)

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OFM_BrightStart Pediatrics_0724FINAL.qxp_Profile 6 / 13 / 24 12 : 34 PM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T At BrightStart and the people who have that are the ones who are Pediatrics , happy and stay with us long term . I think that’s what comes through to the families of our kids , medically fragile because the kids love coming to the center . They wake up and they’re not crying or upset — they’re children receive excited to go see their friends . ” BrightStart is a Prescribed Pediatric Extended the treatment Care — or PPEC — center that specializes in skilled and therapy they pediatric nursing along with speech , occupational and physical therapy . The majority of kids it serves need in a loving are from birth through the age of 6 , but it also works with older children when it’s an appropriate environment . fit . Patients are dealing with a wide range of diag - noses , including complications from premature by MATT COSENTINO birth , chronic lung issues , Down syndrome , metabolic disorders , cerebral palsy , seizure disor - ders and brain disorders . Common needs range from tube feedings and tracheostomy care to ven - tilator management , medication administration , apnea monitoring and oxygen administration . Brown was working as an occupational thera - pist in a hospital setting when she first learned about the PPEC model . She later became more interested in the concept and joined a national company building PPECs in Florida as its regional director , but soon came to the conclusion that she could provide a more effective option for local families on her own . She opened the first BrightStart in Orlando in 2003 and eventually added locations in Sanford and Winter Garden . Compassionate Care “ What motivated me is that most centers like this are run by nurses , and nursing is the focus , ” she says . “ Nursing is taking care of their medical needs , and that’s important , but therapy is what Nursing and therapy were a given , of course , brings them along developmentally to a higher ince the moment BrightStart Pediatrics was but Brown was also intent on hiring employees level of independence , so I really saw something established in 2003 as a safe haven for medi - who were going to make families feel welcomed that married those two more intimately , and that’s Scally fragile children , a phrase that perfectly during a stressful period of their lives . still what makes our centers unique . We have a sums up its mission has been used as the com - “ Frankly , you’re not going to be good at really strong focus not just on therapies , but on the pany tagline . Founder Linda Brown chose your job if you don’t have love for these kids , ” developmental aspect of what we can achieve with “ Nursing , Therapy and Love ” not only because Brown says . “ They’re children and they need these kids if we do a coordinated effort . ” it had a certain ring to it , but also because she that kind , loving care . It’s not just about going in What’s more , BrightStart offers a personal believed that all three components were critical and doing a procedure : It’s about engagement , touch to go with the collaboration between the to what she was trying to accomplish . 48 ORLANDO FAMILY july 2024 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

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OFM_BrightStart Pediatrics_0724FINAL.qxp_Profile 6 / 13 / 24 12 : 34 PM Page 2 PROMOTION nursing and therapy sides . Staff are thrilled to most areas ; while BrightStart is a provider for “ Sometimes parents of a special needs child both interact and make a connection with kids , Florida Medicaid , there are also options for pri - are pretty overwhelmed — there’s a lot going on whether through sitting down and reading to vateinsurance and its staff will work with patients in their life , ” she says . “ When they come through them , blowing bubbles together or going out of to tap into resources in the community . BrightStart , if we’re the right fit , they’ll know . I their way to put a smile on their faces . Continuing with the daycare analogy , kids encourage them to make other visits and know “ It’s like that with all of our kids , no matter are able to experience fun activities such as field where they’re meant to be , because this is their what their abilities , ” Brown says . “ We have some trips , water days and petting zoos . child and it’s important . We’re not all the same , children who are ambulatory and talking , and we “ We’re not just providing their nursing care so trust your gut . You have to be your child’s have other children who are non - ambulatory and and one - on - one therapies , but we’re also doing advocate and it’s important that you’re sup - non - communicative . But those kids still light up developmental , fun things that would be going ported in finding the right options for you . ” when they feel that love : It’s about the tone in on in any toddler preschool room , because it’s your voice , it’s the care you take when you important to their development , ” Brown says . transfer them from a bed to a wheelchair , it’s While Brown has already exceeded her BrightStart Pediatrics knowing their favorite sounds that make them wildest expectations by opening three BrightStart Orlando : ( 407 ) 857 - 1212 giggle . ” centers , she is not opposed to adding more if the Sanford : ( 407 ) 321 - 9570 Families often think of BrightStart as a med - need arises . Seeing the impact she and her team Winter Garden : ( 407 ) 545 - 2773 ical daycare for their children while the parents often have on children and their families , she is are at work , and kids can spend up to 12 hours a just excited to continue offering compassionate , BrightStartPeds.com day at the centers . Transportation is available in personalized care wherever she can . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM july 2024 ORLANDO FAMILY 49

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