Published on July 02, 2025
Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center Achieves Pediatric Readiness Certification
The Emergency Department team at Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center (OHTLMC) is proud to announce its achievement of Pediatric Readiness certification. This significant accomplishment means OHTLMC is equipped to provide specialized and comprehensive emergency care for children, ensuring every young patient receives the highest standard of treatment. The award was given by the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program using criteria from the Kentucky Pediatric Emergency Care Coalition.
Pediatric Readiness signifies that an emergency facility has met rigorous standards for pediatric care, encompassing pediatric-specific needs in all aspects of emergency department care. This includes specialized training for staff, age-appropriate equipment and established protocols for treating a wide range of pediatric emergencies. It's a commitment to ensuring that children, who have unique physiological and psychological needs, receive the safest and most effective care possible in an emergency setting.
"It's so important that emergency departments are prepared for pediatric patients when they come through our doors. Children aren't just small adults; they have unique medical needs. That's why it was important for us to become pediatric ready. From having pediatric-specific equipment to proper staff training, it can help save the lives of the children in our communities," said Manny Galaviz, OHTLMC's Emergency Department Manager.
Achieving this certification was a multidisciplinary effort involving every member of the Emergency Department care team, from physicians and nurses to support staff. Their dedication to specialized training, acquiring the right resources and implementing specific protocols was crucial. In addition, Teri Johnston, RN, has been appointed as OHTLMC’s Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC). Johnston will play a vital role in supporting staff, identifying community resources and facilitating transfer agreements for patients when a higher level of care is needed.
OHTLMC's Emergency Department is now one of 15 facilities in Kentucky to hold this unique certification. This places OHTLMC at the forefront of pediatric emergency care in the region, offering an invaluable resource to families in Grayson and surrounding counties.
This certification means that families in the community can have peace of mind knowing that the OHTLMC Emergency Department has the training, resources, and protocols to provide safe and effective care for pediatric patients right here in Leitchfield.
Media Contact: Mackenzie Payne, Owensboro Health Marketing Specialist, at Mackenzie.Payne@OwensboroHealth.Org.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; four outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.