The Daily OrangeYoung at heart
Golisano Children's Hospital opens doors for patients, student volunteers
By Elora Tocci
Posted: 9/23/09, 11:47 PM EST Section: Feature
A visit to the new Golisano Children's Hospital at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center, which opened Wednesday, reveals a Tim Hortons coffee shop, Cold Stone Creamery and an art gallery. The Syracuse University Sport Management Club raised $20,000, and was among 8,000 donors who helped make the dream of creating this hospital in the city of Syracuse come true.
"It's been our dream for 30 years to have a children's hospital in Syracuse," said Toni Gary, director of community relations for the children's hospital. "We were one of the last major metropolitan areas in the country that did not have a dedicated children's hospital, so our doctors and our staff were very dedicated to making that happen."
The fruition of that dream is largely a product of the efforts and contributions of the Syracuse community. The hospital received funding from nearly 8,000 donors, who ranged from Tom Golisano, a billionaire philanthropist and businessman, for whom the hospital is named after, to grade school children who donated their lemonade stand money.
"This is a phenomenal site that offers world class care, and it really is a tribute to the people of central New York and our patients," Gary said.
The hospital services 17 counties in central and upstate New York and is the only pediatric hospital in the area. "This is a vitally important building for the community," said Lorna Rose, a junior social work major who toured the facility as a part of the Children's Miracle Network. "I've never seen anything like it."
While it assists children with non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, it also runs a Level 1 trauma center, a pediatric cancer unit and transports patients from all over the state. Each of the 71 private rooms is equipped with space for families to sleep so patients, many of whom are considered "the sickest of the sick," do not have to suffer alone, Gary said.
"I was so impressed by the fact that built-in screens allowed nurses to have eye-to-eye contact with patients," said Rose. "It will be so comforting for the kids to look up and know someone is there for them."
"It's been our dream for 30 years to have a children's hospital in Syracuse," said Toni Gary, director of community relations for the children's hospital. "We were one of the last major metropolitan areas in the country that did not have a dedicated children's hospital, so our doctors and our staff were very dedicated to making that happen."
The fruition of that dream is largely a product of the efforts and contributions of the Syracuse community. The hospital received funding from nearly 8,000 donors, who ranged from Tom Golisano, a billionaire philanthropist and businessman, for whom the hospital is named after, to grade school children who donated their lemonade stand money.
"This is a phenomenal site that offers world class care, and it really is a tribute to the people of central New York and our patients," Gary said.
The hospital services 17 counties in central and upstate New York and is the only pediatric hospital in the area. "This is a vitally important building for the community," said Lorna Rose, a junior social work major who toured the facility as a part of the Children's Miracle Network. "I've never seen anything like it."
While it assists children with non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, it also runs a Level 1 trauma center, a pediatric cancer unit and transports patients from all over the state. Each of the 71 private rooms is equipped with space for families to sleep so patients, many of whom are considered "the sickest of the sick," do not have to suffer alone, Gary said.
"I was so impressed by the fact that built-in screens allowed nurses to have eye-to-eye contact with patients," said Rose. "It will be so comforting for the kids to look up and know someone is there for them."
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Micah Burkette
posted 9/26/09 @ 6:46 PM EST
Some great news to hear and a BIG thank you to all the volunteers!
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