NAPLES, Fla. – February 2, 2023 Her Excellency (H.E.) Rossana Briceno, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children and spouse of the current Prime Minister of the nation of Belize, paid a visit to the NCH pediatric unit and pediatric emergency department at the NCH North Naples Hospital as well as the new Simulation Center at the NCH Baker Hospital in downtown Naples.
During her visit, H.E. shared stories about the medical capabilities in her country of Belize, met with patients and families, and learned about the innovative treatments and services offered at the NCH pediatric unit and emergency department – Collier County’s only 24-hour emergency center for our community’s children. She also had the opportunity to tour the facility and see firsthand the dedication of the staff while learning about some of the technology NCH has on hand for the treatment of serious injury and illness in our community’s youngest members. Trained as a special needs educator herself, H.E. was most interested in seeing how our facility treats those children with special needs and also shared insight from her past experience in the field.
After the visit to North Naples, H.E. toured the new Judith & Marvin Herb Family Simulation Center at the NCH downtown campus. The Sim Center uses technology such as computer simulations, mannequins, and virtual reality to create realistic training environments to train professionals, such as doctors, nurses and first responders in a safe and controlled setting before they perform these tasks in real-life situations. H.E. expressed optimism that a cadre from her country may one day visit the Sim Center at NCH for advanced training that they can then bring back and practice in Belize.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our medical expertise with the people of Belize and bring improved health and well-being to their communities,“ said Pia Myers, MD, Medical Director of the Pediatric Emergency Department, NCH Healthcare System. “We hope the exchange of ideas will ultimately help the children of Belize live longer, happier, healthier lives.”
The visit to NCH from the Belizean prime minister’s spouse was sparked by a tour her sister-in-law, who lives in Naples, also recently had of the NCH facilities. The goal of the state visit was to share ideas, discuss common challenges in the treatment of children in both nations, and to learn about pediatric treatments offered at NCH, as well as look for other opportunities to collaborate in endeavors that would enhance the medical care offered to the citizens of Belize.
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