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MEDIA CONTACTS
Golisano Foundation |
Dalmath Associates (585) 586-6650
Lee Health |
Pat Dolce
(O) 239-343-4801 (C) 239-989-2758 | (239) 789-5786
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Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida Hosts Grand Opening Today
America's Newest Children's Hospital
Opens for Patients in Early May.
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Ft. Myers, FL - April 1, 2017-- America's newest children's hospital,
Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida
, debuted to the community during a grand opening Saturday, April 1, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union. The new, child-friendly facility is located next to HealthPark Medical Center on Bass Road.
"We are so excited to finally open the doors of our new children's hospital to the Southwest Florida community, so they can see the fruits of their labors," says Kathy Bridge-Liles, Chief Administrative Officer of Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. "From neighborhood lemonade stand proceeds and, literally, piggybanks, to celebrity golf tournaments and major philanthropic gifts, the community has given selflessly to help build this very special place, so children can receive the care they need, close to home."
Tom Golisano, who spoke at the event and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said, "
It's hard to believe that it was just four years ago that we launched the challenge to communities in Southwest Florida to raise money to build a new state-of-the-art children's hospital to serve the children and families in this area with the best care possible close to home.
The new Golisano Children's Hospital will soon be welcoming those in need of care. I am honored to be able to help make this new critical resource for children in Southwest Florida."
The building encompasses nearly 300,000 square feet and consolidates into one location the medical and ancillary specialty services required to treat critically ill or injured children in a five-county region. A total of 128 patient beds will be available at the new hospital, with future expansion capabilities up to 160 beds.
A dedicated pediatric emergency department with its own ambulance entrance will be staffed by pediatric emergency physicians 24/7. Other new features include:
- A classroom where children can continue their studies in an educational environment while in the hospital
- A family room
- Outdoor garden with colorful statues and areas for meditation and respite for families
- Family resource center
- Family laundry facility
- 64-room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Milk lab
- Chapel
- 2 new MRI units
- Acute care pediatric rehab area
The hospital will actually open for patients in early May, following several weeks of staff orientation, training and simulation exercises in the new spaces. For more information about Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida visit
LeeHealth.org/childrens-health.
About Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida
Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, named a "Top Hospital" by The Leapfrog Group in 2016, is the only acute care children's hospital between Tampa and Miami. Part of Lee Health, the children's hospital opened in 1994 within HealthPark Medical Center. In 2012, the hospital was renamed Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida after B. Thomas Golisano's generous $20 million donation to the capital campaign to build a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new, 300,000-square-foot, 128-bed Golisano Children's Hospital, is set to open in the spring of 2017. For more information, visit
GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org
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