New Children's Hospital at Columbia Regional Hospital
All Children's Hospital branches will relocate to Columbia Regional.
Oct. 14, 2008
Interim Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences Hal Williamson introduces Tim Fete as the director of Children's Hospital during a press conference Friday at Columbia Regional Hospital. When current director Ted Groshong retires next year, Fete will oversee the relocation of all Children's Hospital units to Columbia Regional Hospital.
(Click graphic to enlarge)
Health officials announced Friday their intent to consolidate all branches of the Children's Hospital to the Columbia Regional Hospital location.
"You might say that we are announcing we're expecting," Hal Williamson, interim vice chancellor for health sciences, said to a crowded conference room of MU administrators and health officials.
The Children's Hospital currently has units in University Hospital, the University Physicians Medical Building, the University Physicians Green Meadows clinic and Columbia Regional Hospital. The Children's Hospital serves every county in Missouri.
"It's a great day for children and a great day for those who work in children's services," said Ted Groshong, MU Department of Child Health Care chairman.
Groshong will retire next year and will be replaced by Timothy Fete, formerly of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Groshong described the University's plan to provide single rooms for all patients as well as a separate entrance to the children's unit, in the hopes of providing a "kid-friendly environment."
Although the new Children's Hospital is expected to be built in about nine months, details concerning about the construction are not official. Friday's announcement will allow health officials to move forward with their plan, MU Health Care Spokesman Matt Splett said. Although the hospital system budgeted $12 million for the renovation project, officials also expect to receive funds from fund-raising events such as the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon, which was held at University Hospital in September.
Michelle Kemp, whose daughter Jayla spends a lot of time in Children's Hospital due to cystic fibrosis, stressed to the audience how important commodities such as single rooms can be. Kemp described what it was like to squeeze two suffering children as well as two sets of worried parents into the standard two-patient hospital room.
"So many children received care at the facility that sometimes it seemed like it was going to burst at the seams," said Kemp, who spends most of her hospital time at University Hospital, but often has to transport Jayla between hospitals to make appointments and receive treatment.
Kemp said she is relieved that all of Jayla's necessities will be met at one location and believes the centralized services will allow the focus to be on the children.
More Oct. 14, 2008 News Stories
- MSA, KCOU disagree on how to fund tower — KCOU thinks MSA's plan is too ambitious.
- New Children's Hospital at Columbia Regional Hospital — All Children's Hospital branches will relocate to Columbia Regional.
- Flu vaccination clinics planned in October — In the next few weeks, flu shots will be offered at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Health and Public Services ...
- School of Education hopes to raise $3,000 for UNICEF — Some students have personal ties to the organization.
- MU's ONE Campaign chapter involves community, high schools — The MU chapter was founded last year.
Most recent News Stories
- Officials OK younger STRIPES drivers — Program leaders hope to inspire similar programs at other schools.
- Fire department says Thursday night blaze set intentionally — Officials are searching for one arsonist in two cases
- Department of Student Life diverts money from diversity fee — Diversity groups were not notified of a transfer of $30,771 for the equipment reserve fund.
- MSA Senate recommends fee decrease — The committee recommended a decrease of 25 cents to $1.70.
- MU to gradually ban smoking — Officials cite student support for the policy.