The UF Health Pediatric Trauma Program recognizes that “children are not little adults” and there are vital differences in physiology, anatomy and injury patterns compared to adults. Specialized medical care and dedicated teams are required to address these unique injuries of childhood.

University of Florida Health Shands Children’s Hospital has been verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1 pediatric trauma center, one of fewer than 20 in the nation to earn the distinction. The verification means that the hospital meets the ACS’s highest standards for staff, resources and equipment to optimally handle a child’s life-threatening injuries.

When injury occurs and minutes matter, a well-trained and experienced trauma team is needed emergently. Our Pediatric Trauma Team is led by UF Health pediatric surgeons, who are specially trained to care for and perform operations on the smallest, youngest and most critically ill patients. In addition to pediatric surgeons, our comprehensive multidisciplinary team of dedicated pediatric specialists includes:

• Emergency medicine and critical care physicians
• Specialized nurses
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Trauma surgeons
• Neurosurgeons
• Pediatricians
• Critical care transport specialists
• Social workers and child life specialists

Each member of the team is committed to delivering the highest-quality, evidence-based care to every injured child from the moment the child arrives at UF Health through rehabilitation.

In addition to our outstanding team of clinicians, the UF Health Pediatric Trauma Program stands apart from many other centers in our strong commitment to research, education and a continuous focus on improving care outcomes. We collaborate with local EMS services to provide education and outreach. In addition to providing trauma care, we also focus on injury prevention such as bike, water and fire safety. Taken together, we are dedicated to caring for injuries, no matter how small or severe, in a child-friendly and family-focused manner. When your child is injured, we do not just bring any team — we bring the UF Health Pediatric Trauma Team!

Meet pediatric surgeon Dr. Shawn Larson

Shawn Larson, MD, FACS, is an integral part of our pediatric surgery team, which includes Janice Taylor, MD, MEd, and Robin Petroze, MD, MPH. Dr. Larson is passionate about all areas of pediatric surgery, specifically pediatric burn and trauma care.