Wolfson unveils new media center, technological breakthroughs

Wolfson unveils new media center, technological breakthroughs
Cutting the Ribbon were Kerri Clark, director of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, Holly and Charles Breen, Wolfson Children’s Hospital President Michael Aubin and Walmart Market Manager Michael Brown

Children in isolation have renewed visitation, connectivity

Wolfson Children’s Hospital is out in front when it comes to investments in the hospital experience, especially for area children. Not only do they serve the children, but a breakthrough has been funded for parents and other visitors to connect with patients. A partnership between Walmart/Sam’s Club and the Children’s Miracle Network has helped the hospital build a new, technologically advanced media center.

The newly minted, state-of-the-art facilities on the hospital campus are a key component for providing parents, grandparents and other visitors a place to escape the challenges of the hospital. In addition to providing a getaway and entertainment, the connectivity via KUBI – a hands-free, remote-controlled videoconferencing tool – is a game changer.

While children have always had amenities in their rooms, on the floors and on the campus, there was a lack for the parents that’s been fulfilled as well. “For parents there are lots of very long hours that happen here. And, in those cases where they get a rare break, it’s more like, ‘Where do I go? What do I do? How do I escape?’” shared Wolfson Children’s Hospital President Michael Aubin.

For parents, the visits were usually accompanied by siblings and relatives in tow. Often the visits were cut short or nonexistent, as many had to miss the interaction with the most sensitive patients. “The children’s hospital has about 50 percent of all of our kids in some form of isolation because of infectious diseases or because of what their illness is or immune-compromised situations, so it really limits the number of visitors they can have,” said Aubin. Now, with the technology and groundbreaking iPad interactions with the most sensitive cases, they can interact without compromising either patient or visitor.

Jenny Tillett and her son Hayden explore the new computers

Jenny Tillett and her son Hayden explore the new computers

“Every child deserves a chance to live better, and that’s why we’ve supported the Children’s Miracle Network for over 25-years,” said Market Manager Michael Brown of Walmart. More than just raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, Walmart employees also volunteer countless hours through Children’s Miracle Network. “It’s through the generosity of our associates, our customers and our members that allow us to help children right here in the Jacksonville area,” shared Brown.

Over $750 million has been raised by the company since 1987 for various programs. Over the last three years $750,000 has been contributed to Wolfson Children’s Hospital; the donation from their work and the generosity of Walmart customers is the reason that this media center has been made possible. As of the opening, $266,000 has been raised thus far in 2014; the goal is $300,000.

“We are so fortunate to be partnered with such an elite hospital like Wolfson Children’s Hospital. At Children’s Miracle Network we believe that every dollar we raise should stay local,” said Kerri Clark, director of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.

The center will not only incorporate the technological advances, but the PCs are now loaded with Pandora Music Channels, DVD players and movies at no cost, KidsHealth.org children’s health libraries for parents and caregivers, as well as iBooks for children and adults. The opening took place Nov. 6 on the hospital campus.

By Seth Williams
Resident Community News

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