The Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando today unveiled its newly renovated cancer unit, on which it spent $3.2 million to provide more space and comfort to patients and families.
The 7,773-square-foothematology/oncology unit, which is on the hospital's sixth floor, features significantly larger patient rooms, state-of-the-art equipment and a parent lounge. The renovation also includes a common family area where parents can relax, a new playroom and upgraded nurse workstations.
Brasfield & Gorrie started the renovations in April on the unit, which will open for patients next week. Forty-five nurses work in the unit along with three nurse practitioners and three doctors.
See the photo gallery above for a look inside the renovated unit.
The unit's 16 small rooms didn’t have space to accommodate guests. To meet today’s needs, the 16 rooms w
ere converted to 12 larger, state-of-the-art rooms, which include sleeping and storage spaces for each family.
“Health care and medicine have evolved significantly since this unit originally was designed, and we now know the importance families play in healing,” said Dr. Fouad Hajjar, medical director of hematology/oncology at Florida Hospital for Children, during the media preview of the unit. “These can be very challenging times for our patients and their families, and we want to provide an environment that is healing for all.”
Roughly $2.7 million of the $3.2 million was funded by several donors, including the organization Runway to Hope, which is founded by Orlando attorney Mark NeJame and his wife, Josie. His law firm, NeJame Law, was one of Orlando Business Journal's Corporate Philanthropy Award honorees for 2017.
