Nicklaus Children’s Health System, South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, has long been committed to inspiring hope and promoting lifelong health by providing the best care to every child. For 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s has served as a trusted leader dedicated exclusively to the medical and healthcare needs of children and adolescents, delivering advanced, family-centered care that supports both healing and hope. From everyday pediatric conditions to the most complex medical challenges, its clinical experts continue to earn the confidence of families seeking the highest standard of care close to home.
In recent years, the health system has entered a new era of strategic growth, expanding its reach and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. In 2025 alone, Nicklaus Children’s plans to open new specialty care locations in Broward, Palm Beach, and Collier counties. A key milestone in the health system’s growth is the Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, a five-story, 131,000-square-foot facility equipped with advanced surgical suites and state-of-the-art technologies. This tower reflects Nicklaus Children’s ongoing commitment to delivering the next level of pediatric surgery.
As the population of South Florida grows, so too does Nicklaus Children’s – both in scope and in specialized talent. Among the most recent additions to its roster of nationally recognized experts is Dr. Thomas Utset-Ward who has joined the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine, and Spine Institute. Dr. Utset-Ward is South Florida’s first in-house, fully pediatric, orthopedic oncology surgeon. With his arrival, Nicklaus Children’s becomes one of only seven institutions nationwide to offer a truly comprehensive pediatric sarcoma and solid tumor program with a dedicated pediatric orthopedic oncologist.
Dr. Utset-Ward’s work is anchored in three foundational pillars: the centralization of pediatric cancer care with advanced surgical interventions for bone and soft tissue tumors; the creation of a dedicated center of excellence for benign bone tumors, which affect roughly one in three children; and the introduction of complex pediatric joint replacements, including rare, custom hip procedures. He utilizes cutting-edge tools such as non-invasive growing implants activated by magnets, 3-D virtual surgical planning, and augmented reality navigation, and performs surgeries within the new Griffin Surgical Tower.
Dr. Utset-Ward also leads projects in 3-D printing and patient-specific modeling, and collaborates on clinical trials through the Children’s Oncology Group and Florida International University to advance research in pediatric sarcomas. His presence not only fills a long-standing regional gap but also positions Nicklaus Children’s as a national leader in surgical innovation for children.
By combining visionary infrastructure with unparalleled clinical talent, Nicklaus Children’s is not only reinforcing its role as a leader in pediatric health, but also shaping the future of surgical care for children in South Florida and beyond.
For more information about Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedic, Sports Medicine and Spine Institute visit nicklauschildrens.org/Ortho