Arkansas Children's Northwest is open for business as of Jan. 9,, and some 430 lead donors gathered Jan. 6 on the new campus to celebrate the opening.
Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children's president and chief executive officer, told backers that 14,000 donations in the past two years brought in $80,000 for the construction of the region's first and only children's hospital.
Celebration
Who: Arkansas Children’s Northwest
What: The new hospital is the region’s first and only children’s hospital.
When: Jan. 6
Where: Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale
Information: (479) 289-8478 or archildrens.org/nor…
By the Numbers
The 233,613 square-foot hospital is the region’s first and only comprehensive pediatric healthcare center. It includes:
m24 inpatient beds to care for children requiring overnight stays
m24-hour pediatric Emergency Department
mA state-of-the-art pediatric surgery unit with 5 operating rooms
mAn outpatient clinic with 30 exam rooms supporting more than 20 subspecialty areas and a general pediatric clinic
mA full range of ancillary and diagnostic services, child-life social work and pastoral care programs
mOutdoor gardens, nature trails and interactive features designed specifically for children
mA helipad and refueling station supporting Angel One, one of the nation’s leading pediatric intensive care transport services.
— source Arkansas Children’s
Highlights of the evening included an announcement from Mandy Macke, associate director and secretary for the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation -- a capital campaign gift of $8 million from the foundation to the hospital, one of the foundation's largest ever given. The brightly lit stairwell of the hospital building can be seen from miles away. "Tonight, it's my honor to light and name this tower the Pat Walker Beacon of Hope. May it lead the way for every child and every family who needs Arkansas Children's Northwest.
Two other areas on the campus will be named in the Walkers' honor: the Willard Walker Helipad in support of the Angel One Transport Team that transports some 350 critically ill children from 11 counties in Northwest Arkansas, and the Pat & Willard Walker Family Outpatient Clinics, which will house more than 15 pediatric subspecialties. Some of the subspecialty programs will be able to expand their programs in the new space.
Barbara Tyson announced a gift of an endowment from the Tyson Family in honor of Terri and Chuck Erwin, chairman of Arkansas Children's Northwest Board of Directors.
The new hospital includes a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, pediatric surgery unit with five operating rooms, outdoor gardens, nature trails with interactive features for children and 24 inpatient beds for children requiring overnight stays.
Those championing children's healthcare close to home included Robin and Gary George, Cathy and David Evans, Barbara Tyson, Terri and Chuck Erwin, Tamara and John Roberts, Lynne and Jim Walton, Mandy Macke, Sue and Charles Redfield, KC and Joseph Tucker, CC and Kirk Dupps, Anita Scism, Vicki and Mark Saviers and Gov. Asa Hutchinson and wife Susan.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.
NAN Profiles on 01/14/2018