Publix Donation Helps Change the Face of the LRMC Pediatric Emergency Department
With the second $25,000 installment of a $125,000 commitment, a Publix representative says this donation is personal.
“Lakeland Regional means a lot to so many of our associates. A hospital visit is never something you look forward to or plan for, but knowing this type of care is here when you need it brings security to our organization and our community,” said Shannon Patten, Manager of Media & Community Relations for Publix.
Among the recent changes to the pediatric emergency department at LRMC include: a new waiting area with interactive toys and games for children of all ages, a large-screen television featuring family-friendly movies 24-hours-a-day and comfortable child-sized chairs. In addition, there are two “electronic” ocean aquariums – where children are entertained by life under-the-sea (on flat-screen televisions).
“We are so appreciative of this support from Publix, which confirms the giving spirit of the Lakeland and Polk County community. When a child comes through our emergency department, it is undoubtedly a stressful time, not only for the child, but for the entire family. Our pediatric emergency department is going to continue to evolve and change in order to ease those stresses and to even bring some happy memories from their time here,” said Elaine Thompson, PhD, president and CEO, LRMC.
Although some may say a happy memory from a hospital stay is hard to come by – a recent patient who received care at LRMC’s pediatric emergency department and in-patient pediatric unit says just the opposite. Nine-year-old Brandon Perreira suffered a fracture of his right arm due to a pile-up of kids at the bottom of a water slide. Immediately after getting the news that Brandon had been injured, his parents, Diana and Chris, headed to LRMC’s pediatric emergency department. Brandon ultimately endured incisions, received surgical screws and later received a cast. However, when you ask about his 2-night account on LRMC’s pediatric unit, the first thing he will tell you about is the pinball machine that he “couldn’t believe was free to use.”
For more information about LRMC’s pediatric emergency department, go to www.LRMC.com. To learn more about giving to LRMC, contact the Foundation Office at 863-687-1296 or go to www.lrmcfoundation.com.
