The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart has a new official address recognizing local professional golfer Bubba Watson — 1 Bubba Watson Drive.
In September, Sacred Heart and the Watson family announced a $2.1 million donation to The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, specifically supporting construction of the new four-story children’s hospital on the Pensacola campus. Sacred Heart is part of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system.
“As a professional golfer, I have experienced firsthand how fast the world moves on. One day, I can win a tournament and feel like I am on top of the world. The next day, a new tournament starts, and it is like the week before never happened. When the world moves so quickly, you begin to ask yourself how to make a long-term difference, one that will last for generations to come,” said Watson. “For me, I found a way to make that long-term difference by helping to bring children and families the treatment they deserve close to home. But we still have a long way to go to ensure that all of the needed services will become a reality. I urge others to join me by giving in support of our children in need.”
To recognize the ongoing support of the Watson family — who will serve as ambassadors for The Children’s Hospital — Sacred Heart named the entrance road to the new Children’s Hospital as Bubba Watson Drive. The City of Pensacola made the name change official in December.
“Bubba and Angie Watson have been generous friends and tireless advocates of The Children’s Hospital,” said Susan Davis, the president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. “Their amazing gift to our community will help to ensure that all sick or injured children in our region will have access to the best possible care. We are thrilled to recognize officially the dedication they’ve shown to our children and families.”
The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart is the region’s only children’s hospital, serving families across Northwest Florida, South Alabama and South Georgia. Construction of a new four-story children’s hospital began on Sacred Heart’s Pensacola campus in March 2017 and is expected to be complete in spring 2019.
Sacred Heart has raised $21 million from community donors in support of the new children’s hospital, but an additional $15 million is needed in order to complete all phases of the expansion on time.
To make a donation in support of the new Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, call the Sacred Heart Foundation at (850) 416-4660 or visit www.sacred-heart.org/foundation.
When fully completed, the new children’s hospital will increase access to specialized pediatric and maternity care and consolidate inpatient pediatric services in one convenient location. The new children’s hospital will include a pediatric emergency department and trauma center, pediatric procedure rooms, 72-bed neonatal intensive care unit, medical/surgical beds, pediatric imaging department, pediatric satellite pharmacy, pediatric inpatient rehabilitation gym, child life playrooms, outdoor gardens and a new family-friendly dining venue.
Sacred Heart Health System is part of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system. Together, they have committed $55 million towards construction of the new children’s hospital.
The current Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart is a 117-bed facility that offers a wide range of services to meet all of a child’s medical needs, from a pediatric emergency room and neonatal intensive care unit to pediatric intensive care, cancer care, rehabilitation and a medical staff of more than 120 board-certified physicians across 29 pediatric specialties. The Children’s Hospital provides quality, compassionate care to children, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. For more information, visit www.sacred-heart.org/childrenshospital.