Baystate Health CEO Sheldrick Streefe, Hospital Operations & Supply Chain Vice President, Finance Patrick Sheehy, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics Endocrinology, Pediatric Endocrinology Dr. Charlotte Boney, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts CEO Michelle D’Amour, RMHC Board of Directors member of Matt Perry and Associate Director Kerry Blumberg pose outside the new Family Room at the hospital.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — Patients are not the only ones who receive care at Baystate Children’s Hospital. Family members often live and sleep alongside their children while they receive treatment. Now, there is a place of their own to refresh and relax for a time, without leaving their children.
The grand opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room on Oct. 3 was the culmination of an 18-month-long project that began when Angela McCarthy, chair of the pediatric Patient-Family Advisory Council, met with stakeholders from the RMHC to brainstorm about what might be beneficial to parents. The project was brought to Dr. Charlottee Boney, chair of Baystate Children’s Hospital Department of Pediatrics Endocrinology, Pediatric Endocrinology.
“We believe in the power of partnerships” and “enhancing the ways we provide care for our families,” said Michelle D’Amore, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. D’Amore said the Ronald McDonald Family Room is a space for families to “rest, refresh and find peace, all within steps of their children’s bedside.”
The family room was designed to allow privacy for families, who are not visible from the hall.
Decorated in a palette of blues, the space has three large high-back chairs. Yamika Rodriguez of the RMHC said they were chosen because family members can lean their heads against the sides of the chairs and nap if they’d like. A fish tank sits in the corner of the room next to a massage chair. There are also puzzle books and adult coloring books available. There are toiletries such as hairbrushes and eye masks.
A kitchenette in the room provides snacks, cold drinks and coffee. Meals are delivered twice a week by the RMHC.
Sixteen-year-old Patrick Wallace finished treatment at Baystate Children’s Hospital the same day as the ribbon cutting.
“It’s a lot of stress,” said his father, Josh Wallace. “Fortunately, I was able to take time off of work. Not everyone can do that. You don’t want to leave your child’s side. I haven’t slept in my bed in two weeks.” Josh Wallace said access to a space like the Ronald McDonald Family Room would have made the ordeal a little easier. “A room like this would be nice to break away while he was sleeping or having tests,” he said.
The room is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3-6 p.m.
