By Rosalind Russell – St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake celebrated the grand opening of three new spaces, called Smilezones, in its facility yesterday with a ribbon cutting.
The three zones are all kid-friendly and are in the emergency department, the medical-surgical pediatric room, and the continuing care unit family lounge.
The spaces were generously donated with the support of local Tim Hortons restaurant owner Erin Brunelle. Over $30,000 was raised through the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign and supporting donors at Elliot Lake Retirement Living.
The spaces feature colourful murals, sensory development equipment, and interactive technology to enhance the hospital experience for children undergoing treatment and families visiting loved ones.
The ribbon cutting featured remarks from several key individuals including Chief Nursing Executive Leslie Sanders, Manager of Medical/Surgical, OBS and Emergency Department, Katrina Engel, Jackie Hames, executive director of Smilezone and Brunelle of Tim Hortons in Elliot Lake,
Photo provided by Ty Demerah – Vista Radio: Ribbon cutting included Emcee: Cassandra McDonell, Administrative Assistant to the CNE, Land Acknowledgement: Nicky & Gerry Jean, Patient and Family Advisors, SJGHEL Rep: Chris Piel, Chief Financial Officer, Smilezone Rep: Jackie Hames, Smilezone Executive Director, Project Donors: Erin Brunelle, Clinical Staff: Katrina Engel, Manager of Medical/Surgical, OBS, & Emergency Department, Patient Rep: Jessie Hennessey and Government Rep: Krystal Hollandy, Representative of Carol Hughes. The Smilezone reps and the hospital also presented framed prints to Brunelle to acknowledge the donation from Tim Hortons. The hospital also presented an original piece of artwork to Smilezone rep, Jackie Hames.
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