Pediatric surgeon Dr. Cathy Burnweit was a young mom when she joined Nicklaus Children’s in 1990. Over the course of her career, Dr. Burnweit has performed more than 20,000 surgeries and led transformative changes within the health system including the launch of the Hospital’s first approved Fellowship trainee program in 2012. Through this program, Nicklaus Children’s attending physicians train fellows for their future healthcare careers, impacting patient care at Nicklaus Children’s for generations.

“When you teach fellows, you have a cannonball effect instead of just a ripple effect,” said Dr. Burnweit. “With each patient you are teaching people to have their own ripple effect. It's quite a heady thought to have given back to the world in this way.”

Since Dr. Burnweit retired from her Nicklaus Children’s post in February 2020, her legacy is carried on through her generous support of Nicklaus Children’s. The 2nd floor of Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower now bears her name.

“Miami is an incredible place, and Nicklaus Children's is the crown jewel of that for healthcare for children,” she says. “If I'm going to give, I want to contribute to making the world a better place by supporting the health of children.”

Michelle Saka considers her son, Mark, a Nicklaus Children’s “frequent flyer.” As a mother of a child with special needs who has the hospital on speed dial, Michelle takes comfort knowing Mark is always welcome to return for care, and her family can never overstay their welcome. In addition to participating in Diamond Society, the Saka family has generously supported various areas of Nicklaus Children’s, including adaptive care and autism support, music therapy, psychology patient support, gastroenterology, and palliative care.

Mark has two siblings, and his visits to Nicklaus Children’s are often a family affair. They are grateful for the resources available inside the Hospital for Michelle’s other children, making difficult visits a little easier and easing the worry that sometimes surrounds caring for a self-injurious child.

Over the past eight years, Michelle has seen the Hospital’s “massive growth” in approaching care for children with autism and other special needs. “They love the kids,” she said. “This is not just a paycheck for them, even right down to the security guards who go out of their way to smile and say hello.”

Through witnessing how gifts from other generous donors have been used, including the creation of the Hospital’s kosher room, Michelle says she trusts Nicklaus Children’s to be responsible stewards of the family’s generosity. “I’ve seen it firsthand,” she says. “I feel good about giving.”

When Chanin and Adam Carlin welcomed their twin sons in 2011, it brought their charitable giving efforts into greater focus, turning their attention to pediatric healthcare and furthering their love and admiration for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

“It is a huge relief for people to know that if, God forbid, their child was hurt, in their backyard is one of the best children’s hospitals in the country,” said Carlin.

With a desire to create a memorable milestone experience for teen patients, the Carlins launched The Carlin Family Prom, now in its tenth year. During a classic prom experience, these middle and high school-aged kids dance and socialize with their peers. Patient families gather simultaneously at a separate event nearby where they can experience the festivities secondhand through livestream.

The Carlins attend their namesake prom every year. “It is always so moving to see the kids laughing, joking and enjoying the night without a care in the world,” said Adam. “I've been involved with the Hospital for the better part of 30 years, and we do envision ourselves doing even more over the years to come to make a difference.”

The Carlins’ vision is that the Carlin Prom will carry on in perpetuity, one day led by their sons, now teens themselves. “Our boys and their families will take over that responsibility so that it will continue on forever at Nicklaus Children's.”