A place built for miracles

A place built for miracles

UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital unveils new atrium, entrance

By Peveeta Persaud
The new entrance to UF Health Shands Children's Hospital.

The new entrance to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

In September, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital marked an important milestone with the debut of a colorful new façade, a dedicated entrance and the opening of the Sebastian Ferrero Atrium, part of a series of renovations focused on creating a welcoming setting and augmenting high-quality care for children. 

Designed with the youngest patients and their families in mind, the Sebastian Ferrero Atrium features interactive video displays to entertain children and parents, nature-themed art, a reception desk and elevators that travel solely to floors housing pediatric units.

The changes are part of $135 million in improvements that grew out of UF Health’s strategic plan, “Forward Together.” With the completion of the children’s hospital glass-front pavilion and the atrium, UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has finished half of the planned projects and renovations. The new UF Health Shands pediatric emergency room opened in 2011; the renovated UF Health pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient and outpatient units opened in 2010; the new UF Health Congenital Heart Center opened January 2014; and the enhanced UF Health pediatric cardiac intensive care unit opened March 2014. These projects have led to enhanced care for patients.

Children's Hospital Opening“This event marks an important milestone in our work,” said David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., UF senior vice president for health affairs and UF Health president. “Today is a celebration of the progress we have made with a physical transformation that represents the hospital-centered care we give to our youngest patients. With the opening of the Sebastian Ferrero Atrium, we are more than halfway toward completion of the children’s hospital.”