North Miami-Dade News

Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has celebrated the securing of $1.45 million in federal funding for two major projects at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. These projects aim to improve mental and behavioral health services for children and provide tailored medicine. Salazar spoke highly of the hospital and its staff, saying, "The doctors and staff at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital are nothing short of miracle workers, and I am proud to support their work in Congress."

The first project, funded with $1 million, is a Mental Health Facility Expansion. This expansion will enhance mental health services for children by expanding the hospital's existing outpatient facilities. The new outpatient location, just minutes away from the hospital, will include consultation and therapy rooms, providing vital resources to address the growing number of children with mental health concerns.

The second project is the Nicklaus Children’s Pharmacogenomic Testing Program, which received $450,000 in funding. This groundbreaking initiative will offer individualized medicine for children based on their unique characteristics and genetics. By tailoring medicine specifically to each child, more effective treatments can be provided, ultimately saving lives. Nicklaus Children’s is proud to be one of the few children’s hospitals in the nation offering this service and the first of its kind in South Florida.

Matthew A. Love, President and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, expressed gratitude to Rep. Salazar, stating, "Thank you Congresswoman Salazar for everything you do for kids here in South Florida. These two projects are just an example of what you’ve done to help us – both on the mental health side and in personalized medicine. On behalf of all the kids here, all the physicians, all the nurses and staff, thank you for supporting Nicklaus Children’s and the community."

Rep. Salazar is recognized as a leader in improving mental health treatment and has successfully advanced mental health and substance abuse prevention legislation that has been signed into law. Since taking office, she has secured over $40 million in funding for Florida's 27th District. Her advocacy has resulted in over $17 million in funding to improve healthcare and climate resiliency in Miami, as well as nearly $24 million in funding to protect and enhance Miami's water infrastructure, expand community health centers, and support law enforcement and public safety.

The secured funds for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital will significantly contribute to the hospital's mission of providing the best possible care to improve patient outcomes. With improved mental health services and tailored medicine, children in South Florida will receive the support they need to thrive.