Teen Space Renovations Are In the Planning Stages

The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team has long recognized that from a developmental standpoint adolescent patients face a unique set of challenges when coping with illness and/or hospitalization. With this in mind, in early 2023 we jumped at the first opportunity to create a dedicated adolescent space within the Child Life Zone to potentially mitigate some of these stressors. We began to establish a “Teen Lounge” featuring programming and activities specifically tailored to the interests and skills of this population. This initial effort was quickly amplified thanks to a generous gift from the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation to redesign this area to better support adolescent creativity, self-expression and connectivity among hospital peers. Once completed, the adolescent area will include a distinct art and clay area, maker space, lounge area, gaming stations, reading and photo pods, and related supplies and materials. We look forward to this exciting advancement.

Pat LaFontaine Helps a family enjoy the Lion's Den

Recently we welcomed NHL legend and Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, along with his Companions in Courage Foundation, to celebrate the opening of the ‘Lion’s Den’ patient activity room in our P4 South Unit. The Lion’s Den room offers some of the latest technologies and interactive gaming in a welcoming, child-friendly space for patients and their families. During his visit, LaFontaine put smiles on the faces of pediatric patients as he visited with them and signed autographs. He made a special appearance in the KidZone TV studio, hosting sports bingo for our young viewers.