New Spaces Include Teen Lounge with Video Games, and Submarine-Themed Room for Younger Children
West Palm Beach, FL – October 23, 2024— Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s opens new playrooms designed to make hospital stays more comfortable and enjoyable for children of all ages. The hospital teamed up with Chasin A Dream foundation, which supports pediatric patients and their families, by easing their burden during life-saving treatment. These thoughtfully created spaces offer a welcome distraction from medical treatments and are aimed at improving the emotional and mental well-being of young patients.
One of the rooms is a special lounge created just for teenagers. Complete with video games, air hockey, and other engaging activities, this room provides teens with a space where they can relax and have fun, offering a much-needed escape from the hospital environment. This room was designed by Michele Ruppert with Bungalow Palm Beach.
For younger children, a playful submarine-themed room brings an underwater adventure to life. Filled with bright colors, interactive toys, and engaging activities, this space sparks creativity and imagination, helping to reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with being in a hospital. Meghan Crowley and Katie Shobel with Studio Riverside designed the room. Artist Niki Yetman with A Painted Peace provided the artwork.
“These new playrooms are designed with the goal of making each child’s stay at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital as comfortable and positive as possible,” said Cynthia McCauley, Chief Executive Officer at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center. “We understand that being in the hospital can be a difficult experience for children and their families. By offering spaces where kids can be kids, we hope to make a real difference in their healing journey. Together, we say, ‘thank you’ to the Chasin A Dream Foundation, because these rooms coming to life would not have been possible without them.”
“Chasin A Dream Foundation is thrilled to partner with Palm Beach Children’s Hospital to bring these special rooms to life for hospitalized children,” said Lori Griffith, the founder of Chasin A Dream. “This project has been a long-time dream of mine, coming full circle from my beginnings at St. Mary’s with the Neonatal Physician Practice, to founding Chasin A Dream in 2017. These playrooms will allow us to reach and support even more children in our community who are in need.”
Since its inception, Chasin A Dream Foundation has provided over one million dollars in financial assistance to families with children battling life-threatening illnesses or disabilities. Their mission of “locals helping locals” has resonated powerfully, and the community’s response to help create these rooms has been incredible. So many have generously donated their time and talents to make these rooms truly magical. You can donate or sign up to volunteer at chasinadream.org and follow them on social media.
About St. Mary’s Medical Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC), part of the Palm Beach Health Network, is a 420-bed acute care hospital in West Palm Beach. The hospital has been serving Palm Beach County and the Treasure for more than 80 years. SMMC is a Level 1 Trauma Center, a state-designated Pediatric Trauma Referral Center, certified Comprehensive Stoke Center, and has a level III NICU.
Pediatric services are provided at the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center, which is the only dedicated children’s hospital between Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. Along with 24/7 dedicated pediatric emergency and trauma care, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital’s medical staff consists of 196 pediatricians in 36 subspecialties.
To learn more about St. Mary’s Medical Center and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, visit www.stmarysmc.com, www.palmbeachchildrens.com or call 561-844-6300.
