Presbyterian Healthcare 
2003 News Releases
Presbyterian announces new Emergency Department dedicated to children
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April 3, 2003 Contact: Kevin M. McCarthy, Presbyterian Hospital, 704-384-9669 |
Presbyterian Hospital has begun construction of a new emergency department for kids and teens that will be the only one of its kind in the region. The $1.4 million dollar project is scheduled to open in early July 2003.
The dedicated childrens emergency department will be located at Presbyterian Hospital and will be adjacent to the general ED. It will feature its own waiting room, radiology services and eight dedicated exam rooms.
"Providing a child-friendly environment helps make the experience of going to the emergency department less frightening for children and their parents," said Colleen Farquharson, director of emergency services at Presbyterian Hospital. "When the childrens stress levels go down, its easier for them to be treated and allows for better communication with the parents," Farquharson added.
"This is a service we are proud to bring to this community," said Ed Case, chief executive officer for Presbyterian Healthcare. "Only 10% of the hospitals in the country provide this type of commitment to emergency care for children," he noted.
Sara Steelman, MD, who is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine, has been hired as the medical director of the new department. Dr. Steelman, who brings over 10 years of experience to this position, is passionate about her lifes work. "I am excited to provide this valuable service to our community," she said. "It is my goal that Presbyterians new childrens ED sets the standard of care for children in this region," she added.
"A childrens emergency department has been a dream of ours for a number of years," said Glenn Holladay, MD, chairman of pediatrics at Presbyterian Hospital. He went on to say, "The pediatric trained and experienced staff will greatly enhance the interface between the emergency room and Presbyterian Hemby Childrens Hospital."
Other details:
Board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians and specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists and support staff will run the department.
The department will only treat those 18 years of age or younger and will be open seven days a week.
There will be a separate waiting area equipped with a television and video games.
Three local artists have been commissioned to design and paint large murals throughout the department. Décor will include Tropical Seas, Arctic Tundra, African Savannah and Tropical Rainforest themes.
Artists drawings of the murals will be available for public viewing at Presbyterians Family Festival in the Womens Pavilion on Saturday, April 5.
The dedicated childrens emergency department will be located at Presbyterian Hospital and will be adjacent to the general ED. It will feature its own waiting room, radiology services and eight dedicated exam rooms.
"Providing a child-friendly environment helps make the experience of going to the emergency department less frightening for children and their parents," said Colleen Farquharson, director of emergency services at Presbyterian Hospital. "When the childrens stress levels go down, its easier for them to be treated and allows for better communication with the parents," Farquharson added.
"This is a service we are proud to bring to this community," said Ed Case, chief executive officer for Presbyterian Healthcare. "Only 10% of the hospitals in the country provide this type of commitment to emergency care for children," he noted.
Sara Steelman, MD, who is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine, has been hired as the medical director of the new department. Dr. Steelman, who brings over 10 years of experience to this position, is passionate about her lifes work. "I am excited to provide this valuable service to our community," she said. "It is my goal that Presbyterians new childrens ED sets the standard of care for children in this region," she added.
"A childrens emergency department has been a dream of ours for a number of years," said Glenn Holladay, MD, chairman of pediatrics at Presbyterian Hospital. He went on to say, "The pediatric trained and experienced staff will greatly enhance the interface between the emergency room and Presbyterian Hemby Childrens Hospital."
Other details:
Board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians and specially trained nurses, respiratory therapists and support staff will run the department.
The department will only treat those 18 years of age or younger and will be open seven days a week.
There will be a separate waiting area equipped with a television and video games.
Three local artists have been commissioned to design and paint large murals throughout the department. Décor will include Tropical Seas, Arctic Tundra, African Savannah and Tropical Rainforest themes.
Artists drawings of the murals will be available for public viewing at Presbyterians Family Festival in the Womens Pavilion on Saturday, April 5.
