Garth Brooks Cuts Ribbon On Child Life Zone At Riley
Garth Brooks was on hand yesterday for a ribbon cutting in Indianapolis to dedicate the new Child Life Zone at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. The singer and his Teammates for Kids Foundation chose the hospital for the organization’s eleventh and largest Child Life Zone in the country.
Child Life Zones are state-of-the-art, therapeutic play areas inside hospitals that pediatric patients and their families can visit to play, laugh, relax and learn.
“What you witness in a Child Life Zone is truly a miracle,” stated Brooks. “It’s a place in the hospital where no doctors or needles are allowed, where kids can be kids. Hospitals that invest in something like this see what’s important, and that’s the children.”
The play areas are staffed with certified professionals who help kids and their families tackle difficult medical challenges through education, play and self-expression. Patients learn about their illness and what to expect while undergoing treatment. Support is also provided before, during and after procedures for the patients and their families.
“This day, almost three years in the making, is all about the children,” said Dr. Jeff Sperring, president and CEO, Riley at IU Health. “It’s a dream come true for all the kids at Riley.”
Riley at IU Health’s Child Life Zone is available to inpatient and outpatient kids. The 4,700 square food space is centrally located on the hospital’s main floor. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays for pediatric patients accompanied by an adult with the approval of the patient’s care team.
Source: Riley Hospital for Children