McLANE CHILDREN’S: NEWS
Growing Stronger
Together
An 18,000 square-foot expansion opens at Baylor Scott
& White McLane Children’s Medical Center.
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Donors gathered on Thursday,
October 3 to celebrate the completion of
the most recent growth spurt at McLane
Children’s, which coincides with the
hospital’s eighth birthday.
“Over the past 20 years, we’ve
grown from just one pediatric clinic and
one floor of the hospital to this amazing
free-standing hospital and multiple
clinics throughout Central Texas,” says
Dell Ingram-Walker, Vice-President of
Operations for McLane Children’s.
“It is thanks to your kindness and generosity
that we are here today. We are excited to
welcome children to this expanded space,
and we are looking forward to the future as
we continue to grow.”
Donors toured the $26 million
expansion—entirely funded by
philanthropy—which focused on four key
areas: Physical and Occupational Therapy
(PTOT), the Fikes/CEFCO Emergency
Department, Imaging, and the Carolyn &
Wendell Williams Special Procedures Unit.
Frequent patients Logan Parker, Gus
Karl, and Ava Canales were on hand
to demonstrate the PTOT equipment for
donors. The children were thrilled with the
department’s expanded space, which more
than doubled its square-footage. Donors
also played in the new sensory room,
designed to engage patients who may be
over- or under-stimulated during therapy.
In the Fikes/CEFCO Emergency
Department, donors explored six new
patient rooms that will enable doctors
to treat 10,000 additional patients each
year. Two of the rooms are designated
“safe rooms,” designed with special
doors to cover any equipment a patient
might use to injure themselves or staff
during a mental health crisis. Staff also
demonstrated a new ultrasound machine
used to quickly assess patients at the
bedside following physical trauma. In
addition, Lorenzo, the hospital’s facility
dog, showed donors how he works with
the Child Life team in the Emergency
Department to comfort and distract
children during procedures.
In the Imaging Department, donors
viewed the new 3T MRI machine and side-
by-side comparison scans to demonstrate
the machine’s increased resolution.
Designed to look like a tree house, the new
MRI can deliver scans with much higher
clarity in significantly less time, reducing
the need to sedate patients who may have
difficulty holding still for long periods.
In the Carolyn & Wendell Williams
Special Procedures Unit, four rooms
replaced curtained bays to provide
patients more privacy and comfort. Donors
learned about more than 100 types of
procedures performed in the department
that do not require an operating room.
Staff also displayed new ultrasound
equipment that will enable nurses to place
PICC lines more quickly and painlessly.
“As a father of five,” says Dr. Dominic
Lucia, Chief Medical Officer for McLane
Children’s, “I truly appreciate having this
advanced hospital in our community. We
are so grateful to everyone who invests
in high-quality healthcare for children in
Central Texas.”
1. Physical Therapist Maeli Schulte helps Gus Karl demonstrate how he uses the swing to practice balance during physical
therapy. | 2. The new sensory room will help patients with sensory issues remain calm and focused on tasks during
physical or occupational therapy. | 3. Child Life Specialist Ashley Blackmon shows donors the variety of ways Lorenzo can
comfort, distract, or motivate patients, particularly in the Emergency Department. | 4. The new 3T MRI machine is encased
inside a “tree house” to make the experience less stressful for children.
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View more photos from the event at CTXFoundation.BSWHealth.com/EventGallery
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CENTRAL TEXAS FOUNDATION NEWS / WINTER 2019