Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) officially celebrated its revitalized pediatrics unit with a grand opening Friday. The unit includes eight "Smilezones" which are areas that include murals, games and kid-friendly furniture.
The grand opening was set at a restaurant instead of the hospital due to COVID-19 protocols, but that didn't dampen the spirit of hospital representatives, Smilezone representatives, and donors.
Paintings, and a slideshow displayed some of the art that is on the wall at the hospital that is meant to make the hospital more comfortable for kids.
"Smilezone through contribution and hard work, have decorated, and transformed our pediatrics unit with beautiful art, and video games," said CMH CEO Patrick Gaskin. "They've just created a wonderful patient-care environment that our children, and our families love."
Smilezone was created in 2012, and there are now over 300 Smilezones across the country. Adam Graves, one of the co-founders of Smilezone described what the day meant.
"It was about putting smiles on young kids faces here in Cambridge, when they are at the hospital, overcoming whatever obstacles are in front of them," said Graves. "Certainty not just the kids, but their families. That's what Smilezone is all about."
Speakers at the opening also discussed how Smilezone has been beneficial to healthcare workers as they work in a more positive environment.
Due to COVID-19, CMH moved its pediatric unit in order to create more space as they deal with staff shortages, and more patients.
As a result, not all kids have been able to experience the unit. However, those who have, responded with positive feedback.
"The patients and their families have just loved it. The pediatric patients have enjoyed it throughout COVID," Gaskin said. "Anytime a patient is in the hospital it's a frightening time...so for our pediatric patients to have this warm, welcoming environment has been fantastic."
