Florida Children's Hospital (see more articles like this)

WHAT: Tanner Pohl, 5, plays under the canopy of a large oak tree surrounded by squirrels, rabbits, butterflies, and wildlife – but Tanner isn’t playing outside, he’s playing in a world of make-believe created by the recently expanded Florida Children’s Hospital at Florida Hospital.  Florida Children’s Hospital has just completed its planned expansion of 16 new Pediatric Progressive Care and Oncology rooms dedicated to meeting the specific needs of children and providing the greatest care with the newest technology.  The expanded pediatric unit, with private rooms and an open nurse station, fosters greater involvement by the family.  

The addition brings Florida Children’s Hospital to a 138 specialty bed “hospital within a hospital” that allows Florida Hospital to deliver a complete range of dedicated and specialized pediatric health services for younger patients, who benefit from the expertise of specialized departments in the hospital.

DETAILS: A nature theme is used to create a sanctuary of healing.  A meandering path takes patients by the open nurse station that looks like a tree.  Cloud effects are created using tiered ceiling systems and lights.  A large playroom provides a retreat from the clinical environment.  A night sky with fiber optic stars and cabinets with writable surfaces create a playful space next to benches to watch a movie or play a game. Each of the 16-private rooms has French doors with a porch light that creates a feeling of home and a wall of windows that allows natural light into the room.  

BACKGROUND: The expansion is part of Florida Hospital’s master design to meet the planned growth in the community.  The project was made possible, in part, by the generous philanthropic support of the community. 

FUTURE PLANS: By 2009, the Florida Children’s Hospital at Florida Hospital Orlando plans to open a new private, lakeside pediatric Emergency Room along with 19 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds.  Future plans also include expanding to a total of 190 dedicated pediatric beds throughout the Florida Hospital system by 2010. 

VISUALS: 
• Get a sneak peek at the newly expanded lobby, playroom, and pediatric rooms
• Hear from the children who are benefiting from this recent expansion
• Interview Marla Silliman, Florida Hospital Senior Vice President

WHEN:  Thursday, September 21, 2006, at 2 p.m.
(All media must meet in the main lobby at 1:45 p.m. for escort to the unit.)
 
WHERE: Florida Children’s Hospital at Florida Hospital Orlando
 601 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32804