Lifesaving Care for Critical Conditions.

Our 22-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with 10 dedicated cardiac beds provides maximum monitoring and support of pediatric patients of all ages who are at risk for, or suffering from acute life-threatening conditions. The multidisciplinary PICU team provides the most sophisticated medical and surgical care needed for pediatric patients from birth to young adulthood. Board-certified intensive care physicians are in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Multidisciplinary bedside rounds are held 365 days a year, and the opinions of everyone on the medical team are valued so the best care is given to the patients.

The PICU is staffed by:

  • Critical care intensivist physicians who are board-certified in pediatrics
  • Nurses with special certification in pediatrics and pediatric critical care
  • Pediatric residents
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Social workers
  • Physical and occupational therapists
  • Child life specialists
  • Pastoral/spiritual care specialists
  • Support staff

Services

  • The entire spectrum of critical medical disorders

  • Preoperative and postoperative care of patients undergoing:

    • Major cardiac surgery for repair of congenital cardiac defects

    • Complex neurosurgical procedures

    • Severe trauma

    • Major pediatric surgery, including transplantation

The rapid and efficient care in the PICU is complemented by a comprehensive group of pediatric specialists in the following medical specialties:

  • Cardiology and electrophysiology
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Genetics
  • Hematology/Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Orthopaedic surgery
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Plastic surgery
  • Pulmonary medicine
  • Transplant surgery
  • Urology

Rounds occur daily at 8 a.m. and then again in the evening, usually around 9 p.m. Our goal is to
help you during this difficult time. To assist us in providing effective communication between
our staff and your family, we ask that you designate a primary spokesperson upon arrival to the
unit. This will assist us in keeping you updated on your child’s status. During rounds, doctors and the treatment team update the plan of care and answer any questions you may have.

The transportation of patients, if needed, is available by ground, helicopter and fixed-wing air transportation. Arrangements for critically ill patients are coordinated by the pediatric intensivist and monitored through Driscoll Children’s Hospital Transport Dispatch Center. To learn more, visit  Transport Services.

Respiratory Care Services: (361) 694-5455

Medical Director: (361) 694-5445

Transport Dispatch Operator: (800) 879-5437

A Patient Relations representative is available at (361) 694-4035 to address any concerns or questions regarding your hospital stay.

Seamless Specialist Care

Visit all your child's specialists in one trip to Driscoll Children's Hospital.

Contact any of our specialty clinics to schedule a convenient one-day visit to all your child’s specialists.

Call 361-694-5000 or your 
specialty clinic.

Meet the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Team

Ernesto Fernandez MD
Ernesto Fernandez
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
John Leotaud MD
John Leotaud
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
John Karl Maher MD
John Karl Maher
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Shekhar Raj MD
Shekhar Raj
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Ramon Julio Rivera MD
Ramon Julio Rivera
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Ravi Samraj MD
Ravi Samraj
MD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Kevin Schooler MD, PhD
Kevin Schooler
MD, PhD
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Karl Leon Francis Serrao MD, FAAP, FCCM
Karl Leon Francis Serrao
MD, FAAP, FCCM
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
See All Driscoll Children’s Doctors

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Locations

Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi

3533 S. Alameda St.
Corpus Christi
TX 
78411
(361) 694-5000
24hrs
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
Rehab Entrance
(361) 694-5320
(361) 808-2013

Specialty Center, Brownsville

5500 N. Expressway 77
Brownsville
TX 
78526
(956) 698-8600
(361) 808-2076
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Specialty Center, McAllen

1120 E. Ridge Rd.
McAllen
TX 
78503
(956) 688-1200
(361) 808-2075
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Miracle Stories

Together, Against All Odds

Our experts put their passion to work every day, helping kids defy incredible odds on their health journeys here at Driscoll.
Read More Miracle Stories
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