Florida Hospital Hosts Public Forum On Children's Health

Children's Environmental Health Focus of Public Forum at Florida Hospital 

ORLANDO, Fla., May 8, 2008 - All children are affected by exposures to environmental hazards.  But promoting sound public policy, stimulating prevention-oriented research and elevating public awareness of hazards can help children to grow up in a safe and healthful environment.  That is the goal of the Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN).  Today, CEHN is hosted their first Children's Environmental Health Public Forum at the Ginsburg Tower at Florida Hospital Orlando.

"Children are our future and we have an obligation to protect them," said Dr. Antonia Novello, vice president, Women & Children's Health and Policy Affairs, Florida Hospital for Children and former U.S. Surgeon General. "Florida Hospital for Children is thrilled to be a part of this public forum and to engage community leaders in bringing more awareness of children's health issues and vulnerabilities to the public."

In addition to Dr. Novello, other speakers include: Dr. Joel Hunter, senior pastor, Northland Church and member, President Obama's Advisory Council; Dr. Karen van Caulil, executive director, Health Council of East Central Florida, Inc. and Community Advisory Group, National Children's Study - Orange County, Florida Hospital; and Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV.

Speakers will address the impacts on children of mercury poisoning, childhood asthma and pesticides.

About CHEN

CHEN is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to protect children from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment.  Their founding Chair and Board Member J. Routt Reigart, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics from Medical University of South Carolina.  Board members also include children and environmental experts such as Elise Miller, M.Ed, Executive Director of the Institute for Children's Environmental Health and Dick Batchelor, President of Dick Batchelor Management Group and former Florida EPA Chairman.

About Florida Hospital for Children

Florida Hospital for Children is a 155-specialty-bed, full-service facility served by nearly 60 pediatric specialists and a highly trained pediatric team of more than 600 employees. The dedicated children's hospital delivers a complete range of pediatric health services to younger patients, who benefit from the expertise of specialized departments throughout Florida Hospital. When construction is complete in 2010, Florida Hospital for Children will have 200 beds; private, family-centered pediatric rooms; an Advanced Center for Pediatric Surgery; destination pediatric programs including advanced surgery, oncology, neurosurgery, cardiology, transplant services, and full-service pediatrics; and an innovative health and obesity platform.

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

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