A new member of the care team has arrived at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, and it's already making a difference for patients, families and team members.
As part of BayCare's commitment to innovation and exceptional care, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital continues to explore new technologies that enhance the patient experience and support care teams. The latest example is Turbo Teddy, an autonomous robot designed to transport medications from the hospital's main pharmacy to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Day Hospital and Pediatric Infusion Center.
The technology was made possible through a generous donation from David Fink and the Fink family and support from the St. Joseph's Hospitals Foundation.
Turbo Teddy was created to help streamline medication delivery throughout the hospital. Because certain medications cannot be transported through the hospital's pneumatic tube system, pharmacy team members previously made multiple trips each day to deliver them. Recognizing an opportunity to improve efficiency, David and his parents, Scott and Kathy Fink, worked with hospital leaders to bring the idea to life.
For David, who received treatment for Crohn's disease at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital for more than a decade, the project was deeply personal.
“As a former patient, I experienced firsthand the time it can take to get medications from one place to another,” said David Fink. “My family and I began thinking about ways to make that process more efficient while helping nurses stay focused on their patients. Seeing Turbo Teddy come to life and begin making a difference for children and families is incredibly rewarding.”
Now, Turbo Teddy is turning that vision into reality. Named in honor of the Fink family's beloved Pomeranian, Teddy, Turbo Teddy carries a special personal connection and brings a friendly presence to children, families and team members throughout the hospital.
Beginning its daily rounds at 6 a.m., Turbo Teddy delivers medications from the main pharmacy to the Day Hospital and Pediatric Infusion Center throughout the day. During evenings, weekends and overnight hours, Turbo Teddy supports the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU), providing around-the-clock assistance when needed.
Like similar relay robots used at three other BayCare hospitals, including Beaker and Hygiea at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Miles at Winter Haven Hospital and Stork at Winter Haven Women’s Hospital, Turbo Teddy navigates hospital hallways independently using routes carefully mapped throughout the facility. Equipped with cameras and sensors, the robot safely identifies and maneuvers around people and obstacles. It can even call and ride elevators on its own so it can transport medications efficiently between departments while allowing team members to remain focused on patient care and other essential responsibilities.
Turbo Teddy is the latest autonomous robot to join BayCare, reflecting the health system’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and support patient care.
“Turbo Teddy is more than just a robot,” said Craig Anderson, BayCare's vice president of innovation. “It represents our ongoing commitment to finding innovative ways to improve care delivery, support our team members and create the best possible experience for the children and families who depend on us.”
By handling medication deliveries throughout the hospital, Turbo Teddy helps create a more seamless experience for patients and families while providing an added layer of support for care teams.
“Turbo Teddy is an exciting addition because it helps medications reach patients more efficiently,” said Danielle Nelski, nurse manager of St. Joseph’s Children’s Day Hospital and Pediatric Infusion Center. “It also brings a friendly, personal touch to the hospital experience, and I think our patients will love seeing Turbo Teddy traveling through the hallways.”
As Turbo Teddy begins making deliveries throughout the hospital, it serves as a reminder that innovation can take many forms. Whether through advanced technology or a creative idea inspired by a former patient, the goal remains the same: helping children receive the care they need, when they need it most.
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