New Ronald McDonald House Family Room planned for University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

Helping families experience a “home away from home” just steps from their child’s bed

Iowa City, Iowa – Families of children receiving treatment at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital will soon be able to have all the comforts of home while remaining just steps from their child’s bedside. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI) has announced plans for a Ronald McDonald Family Room in the new UI Children’s Hospital that will open in early 2017.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at UI Children’s Hospital will serve families of children being treated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). With its doors open to families 24 hours a day, the approximately1,500 square foot space will provide amenities that include one sleep room, three shower suites, one parent respite room, as well as both a family and visitor’s lounge. The family lounge will feature a kitchenette with adjacent dining area, as well as a living room complete with television and computers with Internet access.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at UI Children’s Hospital is a natural fit for both organizations as they provide support for families during their child’s hospitalization.

Additional family centered programs to be offered through the Ronald McDonald Family Room are intended to include a family meal program, book and game cart, coffee hour, computers, as well as availability of snacks and beverages. RMHC of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois will provide the on-going operational support as well as staff the Ronald McDonald Family Room from 7:30am to 9:00pm daily.

“The Ronald McDonald Family Room at UI Children’s Hospital will serve families of children regardless of how far away they are from home,” said Kristen Tobert, Marketing Director at RMHC of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. “With a child in the hospital, families need to put 100% of their focus on helping their child get better. The Ronald McDonald Family Room will allow us to take care of the family, so that they in turn, can focus on caring for their child,” said Kristen. These amenities will all be provided to families at no charge.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room is a core program of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and is one of several programs provided by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois.