Ronald McDonald House Family Room

Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City is located a few blocks from the hospital and provides lodging, food, transportation, and support for families living at least 20 miles away whose child is receiving medical treatment at our children’s hospital.

When the new children’s hospital opens, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois will open a new Ronald McDonald Family Room on Level 3 that will include new amenities. These amenities are designed to meet the unique needs of families with a patient in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PCICU and PICU) and will include:

Ronald McDonald Family Room: This comfortable room is designed as a “home away from home” for families. Hot meals will be provided every evening. Food will also be available for breakfast and lunch at no cost to the families. Offering meals takes away the uncertainty about where and when families will eat. It also means that families will not need to skip meals to remain close to their children.

Access to regular meals allows families to take care of themselves so they are better equipped to take care of their children. The meals also will provide some normalcy during a stressful time. The family room includes a kitchenette, dining area, and living room. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and during that time, a Ronald McDonald Family Room staff member will be on-site to assist families. The living room will include a TV with movie playing capabilities, reading materials, and toys. Siblings are welcome to use the room if accompanied by an adult.

Ronald McDonald Family Room—Shower Suite: Everyone feels better after a hot shower. Besides three showers, the suite will offer towels and toiletries. This convenient amenity allows family members to remain near their child while taking care of their own needs.

Ronald McDonald Family Room—Sleep Room: Equipped with a queen-size bed, this private bedroom will be available to adults for overnight stays and naps. Requests to use the room will be taken by the Family Room manager every morning. The manager will work with staff on Level 3 to ensure that as many families as possible can use the room in any given week. Parents are welcome to spend the night in their child’s room; however, the sleep room is designed as a quieter refuge away from medical equipment to enhance restful sleep.

Ronald McDonald Family Room—Lounge: This space will be open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Snacks and basic services will be provided, as well as a television.

Families interested in staying at the Ronald McDonald House can call 319-500-7642 to place their name on the request-to-stay list. For more information, visit rmhc-eiwi.org.