LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets Inc. this week opened a retail pharmacy on the main campus of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.

Publix said Tuesday that it has been working with the hospital, part of Miami Children’s Health System, to enhance its outpatient retail pharmacy services.

The Publix Pharmacy at Nicklaus Children’s offers expanded weekday hours and new weekend hours; access to specialty medications for patients and employees; and expanded bedside delivery to the hospital’s inpatient units, the pediatric care center and the emergency department.

“Publix Pharmacies have been dedicated to the health and wellness needs of our customers and their families,” Fred Ottolino, vice president of  pharmacy operations at Publix, said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring our level of customer care to patients of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital not only allows us to meet their immediate needs, but also to build long-term relationships with our customers as they return home.”

In addition, Publix Pharmacy at Nicklaus Children’s patients can get prescription refills at any Publix pharmacy location and certain medications for free through Publix. The latter include select antibiotics, lisinopril, amlodipine and immediate-release metformin.

“We are delighted to have forged a relationship with Publix, a leader in exceptional customer service, to enhance outpatient pharmacy services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. It is a testament to our ongoing mission to provide the best services to the patients and families in our care,” stated Armando Llechu, vice president of clinical operations for Miami Children’s Health System.

Overall, Publix operates 1,112 supermarkets — including more than 980 in-store pharmacies — in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric sub-specialists. The 289-bed hospital also is home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the Southeast.