On Thursday, December 8, the EDC will officially re-launch bioOrlando as a strategic advisory committee to the EDC. Operating autonomously for the last four years, bioOrlando will become the "Central Chapter" of BioFlorida, the statewide trade association for the bioscience industry. While the two organizations have frequently partnered together over the years for events or to push support on legislative items, membership in one did not equate to membership in the other. This new structure works to connect the dots so that members of bioOrlando experience a broader statewide impact as members of BioFlorida. Join us this Thursday, December 8, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., in the auditorium at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona for an evening of networking and learning as we reconnect. You will hear from Orlando's life sciences leaders, including Leslie Molony, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute; William Warren, Ph.D., Sanofi-Pasteur VaxDesign Campus; Dom Meffe, Triad Isotopes; and Philip Arlen, Ph.D, Pandora Genomics. The cost for EDC investors and bioOrlando members is $15 and $40 for non-members. Click here to register today.

With the official opening of the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children, two industry giants have collaborated to usher in a new ushers in a new era of children's health care in Orlando, Florida. The Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children is a seven-story facility that includes 200 pediatric beds, a dedicated pediatric Emergency Department, an advanced 81-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pediatric surgical suites, all within an environment that brings Disney's special magic into the hospital. Walt Disney Imagineers designed the space to complement the hospital's healing environment where young patients are supported by caring medical professionals, along with family and friends. When patients walk in the front door, they are greeted by several popular Disney characters in a one-of-a-kind interactive lobby created by Disney's Imagineers. Inspired by the soothing environment of nature, the lobby features Disney characters such as Timon and Pumbaa from "The Lion King," Flounder and Sebastian from "The Little Mermaid," Rutt and Tuke from "Brother Bear" and Baloo from "The Jungle Book." There are even custom scents on each floor to match each of the themes. Throughout the design process, Florida Hospital also enlisted the help of its Family Advisory Council, which is an advisory group of past patients, parents and staff that offers feedback on the hospital. The Council contributed ideas on the layout of patient rooms, helped design the unique "family zone" waiting areas and even tested out various chairs and pull-out sofas that were incorporated throughout the hospital. Click here for a virtual tour of the Walt Disney Pavilion, to learn about the Florida Hospital-Disney Partnership, and to read about the Grand Opening.