KALISPELL – Kalispell Regional Medical Center held a pediatric parade through the hospital halls on Monday to celebrate their new children’s wing.
Children of all ages were cheered on by staff as they made their way down the halls of the hospital to the new facility. As a nod to the Montana themed children’s wing, the patients were towed in canoes.
Each floor of the new pediatric center showcases unique features of Montana. A tile river flows through the main lobby and colorful fish hang from the ceiling.
Amy Lee rold MTN News the new center is life changing. Four years ago her seven-year-old son, Coleman was diagnosed with rare GI issues.
At the time of Coleman’s diagnosis, Kalispell had no care options for him but now, with this new pediatric center, Coleman can get care close to home.
“For our family that has been separated numerous times now, we can stay here and be together. I’m hoping for other families in Montana and other places they can come here and be with all the specialists here and they have family rooms, they have here they have everything here that you can imagine in these big hospitals,” said Lee.
Fourteen pediatric patients are now in the new children’s wing which allows the hospital to double it’s pediatric and pediatric intensive care unit.
More families can now get quality care without having to travel out of state.
Reporting by Maren Siu for MTN News
