New Room for Acutely Ill Infants and Children Opens at HSC

Monday, November 09, 2009

 

New Room for Acutely Ill Infants and Children Opens at HSC
Amadeus Steen Foundation Raises $400,000 for Family-Centred Environment

Winnipeg, Man. – Today, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg officially opened a new room for acutely-ill infants and children who require constant monitoring. The room, located in Children’s Hospital, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, was funded by the Amadeus Steen Foundation through the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

“This room enables us to provide care to very sick infants and children in an environment that respects and includes the family,” said Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, Medical Director, Child Health Program, WRHA. “We can provide around the clock monitoring within the room, as well as accommodate parents so they can stay with their child at all times.”

This project is the first undertaking of the Steen Foundation, who host the Annual Steen Classic Golf Tournament in support of Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“Winnipeg, and particularly Children’s Hospital, was so good to us during our son Amadeus’ illness,” said Mona Steen, Executive Director, Amadeus Steen Foundation. “We chose this project as the first of our Foundation so that other families going through similar experiences can be more comfortable while they're going through a child's illness.”

Designed to provide a safe, family-centred environment for children who are very sick and require constant monitoring, the room can accommodate up to four patients and their parents.

Many contractors, Winnipeg Jets Alumni and other members of the community contributed to this project. Thomas Steen, former NHL player with the Winnipeg Jets, and his son Alexander Steen, currently playing with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, have enlisted former and current NHL players for ongoing fundraising efforts. Material costs and some services were also generously donated by many of the contractors who worked on building the space.

Members of the Winnipeg Jets Alumni will also be in attendance at this event. Mona Steen will officially open the CH4 Monitored Room.

“This project demonstrates the power of community coming together for a common goal,” said Andrew McPherson, Chair, CHF. “We are especially thankful for the Steen family; their initiative and tireless efforts have resulted in this enhanced environment for families with acutely ill children.”

The room will be operational and ready to welcome its first patients this week.

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Visit  the Amadeus Steen Foundation website:   

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Di Ubaldo
Communications Coordinator, Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Inc.
(204) 787-4056