Pediatric infusion therapy helps kids find courage in Pensacola

At the Pediatric Infusion Center at Studer Family Children’s Hospital, children receive a wide range of care, including IV antibiotics for infections, chemotherapy, hydration, blood transfusions, therapeutic injections, and specialty medications. Certified infusion nurses and a pediatric oncology pharmacist closely monitor every treatment. Pensacola parents know their child’s care is safe and carefully managed, which matters during stressful times.

“My favorite part of the job is loving and serving kiddos,” said nurse manager Janice Kober, BSN, RN. “I get the opportunity to connect, teach, laugh, learn, and share in hope and healing. Children are amazing. They are so resilient.”

Still, for Janice and her team, the experience is about much more than medicine. “We want kids and their families to feel warm, safe, and confident from the moment they walk through our doors,” she explained. That starts with a smile, a tour of the space so it feels familiar, and small choices that give children a sense of control, like picking a chair, choosing a toy, or even calling a timeout if they feel nervous.

The needle poke can be the hardest part of infusion therapy. Janice and her team explain each step and use every tool possible to ease anxiety. Elsa spray, a cooling mist, helps numb the skin. Buzzy® devices, part ice pack and part vibrating tool in a fun bee or ladybug designs, numbs and distract to trick the nerves, reducing pain. Nurses show children the supplies ahead of time, compare veins to highways, and even practice on a pillow before starting. “We never want a child to feel like something is being done to them without their understanding. By showing them each step and letting them choose, we help them feel safe and in control,” Janice explained.

Janice described the infusion center as “designed to be bright, cheerful, and family-friendly, with 8 infusion chairs, 2 private rooms, and a playroom full of activities. Every detail was created with children and family comfort in mind to feel safe and welcoming.”

Emotional support is always part of the plan. Child life specialists bring comfort through play, helping children cope with stress and distraction. And then there is Klio, one of the hospital’s beloved facility dogs. With her wagging tail and happy energy, Klio always makes a friend out of every child she meets. Parents often relax too as Klio trots over for a cuddle, reminding everyone that healing can also include joy.

For Janice, this work touches her heart every day. She often becomes emotional when describing the bonds that have been formed here. “These kids are special. Their parents are special. We want them to feel at home in the midst of chaos and safe when their world feels upside down. Some days it’s the laughter that stays with me. Even in the hardest times, kids remind us how much joy there still is.”

Children walking into the infusion center discover more than medical care. They find encouragement, comfort, and connection. “The child is our focus. We do everything we can to give them excellent care and an excellent visit. We want them to feel warm, safe, and confident every time they walk in. That’s what matters most to me and my team,” she said. 

The infusion center is located on the 5th floor of the Medical Office Building. Off the elevators, you’ll see the turtle mural then turn left down the hallway to find us. Learn more about pediatric infusion therapy at Studer Family Children’s Hospital.