Nemours Children\u2019s Health, Jacksonville, hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 7, for the Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology, a state-of-the-art facility that will provide world-class ear, nose and throat (ENT) care to pediatric patients in the region.<\/p>\n
Spanning more than 8,500 square feet, the new center features upgraded clinical spaces that increase patient capacity by 30%. The center is also home to the area\u2019s largest cochlear implant program and the only pediatric balance disorder specialty program in Northeast Florida. It will serve as a research and training hub for future ENT physicians and audiologists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opening of the Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology strengthens our ability to meet the growing needs of children and families across Northeast Florida,\u201d said R. Lawrence Moss, president and CEO of Nemours Children\u2019s Health. \u201cBy expanding access to essential ENT care, we are laying a foundation for children to learn, develop and achieve their full potential. It reflects what is possible when clinical excellence and community generosity come together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s event was the culmination of a multi-year $6 million capital campaign for the center\u2019s redesign and renovation. The Jack C. & Betty A. Demetree Family Foundation played a leading role in making the center a reality donating $2 million in fall 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are honored to support the new ENT Center, which will offer children access to state-of-the-art technology and exceptional physician care,\u201d said Lisa Demetree, president of the Jack C. & Betty A. Demetree Family Foundation.<\/p>\n
Other major contributors include the Alfred I. duPont Foundation, Hugh and Wendy Durden, the Fowler Family, the Jaguars Foundation, the Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Foundation and Ring Power.<\/p>\n
The design of Betty and Jack Demetree Family Center for Otolaryngology creates spaces that are comfortable and have a home-like feel that will be supportive of the needs of the whole family, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children.<\/p>\n
ENT conditions are among the most common health challenges children face. Without early intervention, they can lead to lifelong health complications, including learning and communication difficulties. As the largest ENT care provider for local children, Nemours Children\u2019s now offers a modernized space to serve more families in need of ENT diagnostic and treatment services. New features include:<\/p>\n