HELENA — After years of hard work and planning, Shodair Children's Hospital is opening its doors for open house events to their new 131,000-square-foot hospital and has plans to open the hospital doors officially later in January.
The new hospital has been in the works for five years, and the open houses this week will be the first chance for the hospital's partners and the community to view the completed facility.
"We're moving kids in here on January 31st, but the average community member needs to realize we've been working on this for the last six months," said Shodair Children's Hospital CEO, Craig Aasved. "So it isn't we just move, you know, open the door one day and move patients here. There's been a whole different process of a new policies and procedures, new spaces, getting staff trained in that space."
Aasved was on hand for the open house Tuesday, and he tells me that sharing the facility ahead of its opening is critical and highlights the hard work and time put in by all the people who contributed to this project.
"I feel like we're on the right path of really showcasing the building that we've been in the midst of designing for the last five years. And I think it will really show the community the work that is here and what kids can expect when they come here," said Aasved.
Aasved also expressed his excitement to see the project nearly complete.
"It's fun to take a vision and a dream and see it all come together to you know, we always say here is that this is a building in a space for the kids we take care of and our staff. And this is what they deserve," Aasved said.
While each event focuses on specific stakeholder groups, Aasved said having several events, ensures there are opportunities for anyone interested the opportunity to visit Shodair.
The open house events began Tuesday, January 17th at 11 a.m. and will end on Thursday, January 19th at 7 pm.
Below is the full open house schedule;
- Tuesday, January 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Emergency Responders Open House Event
- Tuesday, January 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. Career Fair Event
- Wednesday, January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Healthcare Partner Event
- Wed, January 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. Employee and Families Event
- Thursday, January 19 from 7 to 8 a.m. Hometown Helena
- Thursday, January 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Community Open House Event
