Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona will open its first Family Room in the Phoenix area at Banner Children’s at Thunderbird on March 2. The facility, located inside the medical center in Glendale, is intended to provide comfort and support for families of hospitalized children.
The new Ronald McDonald Family Room spans 710 square feet and will be available to families whose children are receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit or pediatric intensive care unit. The construction was funded in part by a $200,000 contribution from Erika and Roger Greaves, Youth Angels.
Anthony DiBella, interim chief executive officer of Banner Children’s at Thunderbird, said: “Care at our hospital doesn’t just mean doctors and nurses helping patients get better — it also extends to family members and their well-being. This Family Room will provide a welcome source of rest and support for parents who are often exhausted while their children are in the hospital. We are proud to be the first hospital in the Valley to offer a Ronald McDonald House Family Room.”
The space includes a reception area, lounge, kitchenette with coffee and snacks, wi-fi access, laundry amenities, a private lactation room, and two napping bays with massage chairs and noise-canceling headphones. It is designed as a non-clinical environment where caregivers can rest during long days at the hospital.
Kerry Schulman, president and chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona stated: “When a child is receiving critical care, proximity matters. This Ronald McDonald House Family Room is about providing families a place to pause, take a deep breath and decompress without ever having to leave the hospital.”
Initially open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., there are plans to expand hours as more volunteers become available. Volunteers will assist families using the space throughout each day.
Schulman added: “The board and staff at Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona are grateful to the leadership team at Banner Health for their partnership and commitment to allocating space for the new Family Room. Families will benefit from this model for many years to come.”
The project’s layout was created by Interiors In Design with architectural support from HKS; Kitchell completed construction for $375,000.
Banner Health provides significant community benefits through its nonprofit activities according to its official website. As one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country (source), Banner Health operates facilities across several states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming (source). The organization aims to simplify health care services for improved quality of life (source).
Those interested in volunteering can contact Jen Donelly via email for more information about opportunities.
For further details about Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona visit ronaldmcdonaldhousecnaz.org.
