St. Francis Medical Center Opens New Playroom in Pediatrics

Children staying at St. Francis Medical Center's pediatrics department can now enjoy an array of entertainment with the recently installed "Little Angels Playroom."

The playroom, which used to be a storage room, includes a television, an Xbox console, books and board games. 

"I had lots of goals but I saw one need, that this small room had nothing really in it...we interviewed patients and families and they said there is nothing for us to do here!" said the department's supervisor, Gretchen. 

"I thought, we really need to do something about this," she added.

A patient's average stay in pediatrics is about three days. 

With the help of the hospital's foundation and donations from Lakeshore, a local school supplies and teacher store, the playroom was completed. 

"it was built here but it can be done in every unit throughout the hospital," said Alice Gunderson, who also contributed to the creation of the room. 

Gunderson's sister, a previous school teacher also lent her hand in the design and coloring of the walls as well. 

Though the room has been renovated, more books and other toys are in need.

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