ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The first phase is now complete in the largest capital project in University of Rochester history. It's a major step toward the all-new, Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The eight-story, 245,000 square foot hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center is described as one-of-a-kind in upstate New York. Everything that went into the planning and construction, from the floor plan, to building materials and even the color scheme, are intended to be kid- and family-friendly.
"Children and families walk in and they will know that the way it's decorated from minute one that this was expressly for them," said Dr. Nina Schor, Pediatrician-in-Chief. "It really sends a message about the priorities of this community and about the importance of the future of the children who we take care of right here in Rochester."
The idea is to make the facility not resemble your traditional hospital. Each floor is decorated in a different landscape theme.
All rooms are private. There are child safe play areas including a two-story play deck.
The new hospital also features a teen lounge, family area, school room complete with tutors and an imaging suite just for children.
"When it comes to the technology, we've been using adult equipment that we've been jerry-rigging for children, and it's just not us, it's across the country, but now most of the equipment if not all the equipment is child specific," said Dr. Walter Pegoli, Surgeon-in-Chief.
Golisano treats more than 74,000 children each year from the Finger Lakes region and beyond. It's believed the new hospital will enhance UR Medicine's national reputation.
"Medicine is an evolving field so our facility has to be able to evolve flexibly so that we continue to bring the best physicians, nurses, technologies to Rochester," said Elizabeth Lattimore, Chief Administrator. "This facility is going to propel us to national prominence."
Patients are expected to transition from the old hospital to the new facility by mid-July.
Phase two of construction is scheduled to begin in the fall to include pediatric specific operating rooms and intensive care unit. Phase two should be complete by the summer of 2017.