Over the years, The Children's Hospital has been able to grow in its current location in downtown Denver through remodeling and additions. But when it was faced with the need to grow even more, the decision was made to build a new, state-of-the-art facility nine miles east - to the Fitzsimons medical campus.
For the first time, The Children's Hospital will be able to locate in one place its complex care, research and education expertise. The proximity of Children's to the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center will allow for greater collaboration in care and research.
The new hospital will be the hub of the entire network of care. It will include 10 care centers located throughout the metro region. Physicians and health-care professionals will continue their outreach to areas outside the Denver metro area through personal visits and telemedicine.
Children's began the planning process for the relocation in 2001. The hospital began intensive training about the move last fall.
Shmerling says it has paid off - the hospital is all ready for the opening on September 29.
"We will move everyone safely. We plan to do this over a day and a half period. By Sunday the 30th, we'll have all the children tucked into bed and doing well," Schmerling said.
He says all 3,400 employees and 1,000 volunteers have been through a four-hour orientation so they can become familiar with where everything is in the new hospital.
The Children's Hospital will be located near the intersection of I-225 and East Colfax Avenue in Aurora. For more information, you can check out The Children's Hospital Web site by clicking here.
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