Public Invited To Tour Children’s Hospital

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Feb. 18, 2009 - The dream of a new children’s hospital in our region is about to become a reality as Niswonger Children’s Hospital prepares to open on March 2. As part of the celebration bringing this new facility to the area, public tours will be offered this weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.

The nearly $36 million project consists of approximately 82,600 square feet of new construction and approximately 9,200 square feet of renovation to the existing hospital facilities. Designed to consolidate all of the services offered by The Children’s Hospital at JCMC into one facility, Niswonger Children’s Hospital promotes operational efficiency while creating an experience that is less intimidating and confusing to children.

The ground floor offers a new service entrance for patient transfer, as well as a new corridor linking this entrance to the existing hospital service elevator core. Not only does this provide increased privacy for the patients, but it is much more efficient for the staff when transferring children.

Niswonger Children’s Hospital already has the first and only pediatric emergency department in the region, which opened last summer.

The first floor of the new hospital includes a dedicated children’s lobby and family support space, a clinic for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic, a lobby and registration area for the adjoining Women’s Center, and various classroom, office and lounge spaces. The new hospital also includes two pediatric surgical suites.

Using natural light to evoke feelings of comfort and healing, the main entrance lobby, three-story glass atrium and window-lined hallways provide bountiful light, accented by skylights of colored glass that shine rainbows of light into these public areas. This is a continuation of the artwork and use of natural elements – primarily the sky, wind and sun – that can be seen on the outside of the building. Artwork donated from throughout the community, much of it created by children, also lines the walls of the new facility.