MIAMI – Two new nursing directors have joined Miami Children's Hospital. Janyce Dyer, PhD, CRNP, CS, has been appointed as Director of Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice. Barbara Simmonds, RN, BS, CIC, is the new Director of Infection Control.
Janyce Dyer’s goal is to refine and expand nursing research in partnership with the hospital’s nursing staff. She received her master’s degree in adult psychiatric/mental health nursing from Rutgers University, a doctorate in nursing from the Catholic University of America and a post-doctoral certificate as a family nurse practitioner from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Throughout the years, Dyer has successfully mentored many graduate and doctoral students in all aspects of the research process.
Barbara Simmonds has served as a registered nurse for 18 years and graduated with high honors from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY. She conducts seminars on infection control and employee health issues. Simmonds relocated from Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Florida, where the infection rate significantly decreased as a result of her effort, in conjunction with the her coworkers.
“I am pleased that two experienced leaders have become members of the Miami Children's Hospital family. Both Janyce Dyer and Barbara Simmonds bring a wealth of expertise into their departments as new directors,” said Jackie Gonzalez, MSN, ARNP, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer.
ABOUT MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Founded in 1950, Miami Children's Hospital is the only licensed specialty hospital for children in South Florida. The 289-bed freestanding facility is ranked by Child magazine among the best children’s hospitals in the nation and is the only Florida pediatric hospital to be included in U.S.News & World Report’s 2007 listing of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.” Miami Children's has expertise in all aspects of pediatric medicine and serves children from birth to age 21.
About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Your Child Matters Most ™ (2025)
Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. With more than 850 physicians, including over 500 pediatric subspecialists, the hospital and its network of outpatient centers and offices serve close to 70 percent of children in the Miami market. The only "where your child matters most™,” Nicklaus Children's is home to the region's most advanced Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, and its centers of excellence Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Transfer Center, Nick4Kids, and LifeFlight are responsible for transporting and saving close to 5,000 lives a year. Our 325-bed hospital, which is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, has many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children's is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org.