Advisory Board

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The advisory board was very interesting last night. There are about 15 people on the board and the architects' plans were so impressive. This firm specializes in building hospitals. This one is going to be so nice, peaceful and wonderful for patients, doctors and families. The next step is taking it to the state which they said is about a 1.5 year speed-project. All the rooms are private, there are playrooms, activity rooms, and teen rooms galore. Every room has a huge media center and sleep area for parents. We now sleep in the ICU and step-down on a pull out chair which I felt so privledged about. UCSF became a family friendly hospital a couple years ago which has benefited all. It is easier for the kids to have parents present, since they are able to do a lot of the minor care and soothing and can gauge their childrens demeanor for doctors. There are three garden terraces off the floors for the kids to roam. It will be so nice. The families have been working on integrating a lot of their ideas with the architects and it was neat to see their opinions being set in motion. We are working on doing monthly brunches for parents in the hospital but need to find donors and figure out liguistics. Next month we will discuss our goals and break down into sub-committees. I really want to be involved in family-to-family support which doesn't really exist right now.

Comments

Lauren said…
Thanks for your comment on my blog. It makes it feel like everything I've gone through is worthwhile when someone is touched by the story.
My own mother has known many nights on those pull out ICU chair-beds. That new hospital plan sounds wonderful! Children's Memorial in Chicago is doing a similar project with spacious patient rooms that are private, a separate TV for the parents, and a bed for the parents as well.
I hope everything continues to go well for your family. Just keep smiling and stay close to the gospel! You can get through anything.
4/15/09, 6:26 PM
Heather said…
So proud of you to be a part of this and to help shape the future of UCSF. That place will always have such a special place in our hearts (quite literally).
4/15/09, 9:06 PM
allison said…
Wow, it sounds too good to be true! After living in the hospital for a total 3 months, I can really appreciate this project! Sounds like it will be amazing...I'm glad I'll get a sneak peak through your blog updates!
4/15/09, 10:33 PM
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