Child Friendly Atmosphere

Entering the Golisano Children's Hospital from One Children's Circle, patients and families ride the glass-enclosed express elevator to the 11th and 12th floors of the signature tree house—an out-of-this-world annex to the East Tower, with imaginative spaces for kids and families. It will be immediately evident that the hospital has been designed with kids in mind, from the bright and friendly crayon colors to the fiber optic art on the walls.

The tree house itself accommodates:

• A Café with fresh, fun food by Tim Hortons and Cold Stone Creamery
• A performance center with theater-sized screen, surround-sound and the capability of broadcasting to patient rooms
• A relaxing, sun-drenched Solarium with a stress-reducing labyrinth design in the floor for focused walking or wheeling
• An interfaith chapel with a glass sculpture emulating water and light in a reflective, peaceful manner.
• A fresh-air rooftop garden/terrace for patients and visitors
• A gallery with rotating exhibits by professional and amateur artists, both young and young at heart

Within the hospital, colorful atmosphere continues with fanciful lighting and decoration. Each patient room is equipped with a 32" flat screen TV with a PlayStation.

Child Life Specialists help young patients cope with their fears and anxieties by offering pre-operative sessions and therapeutic activities that are tailored to meet their social, emotional, and developmental needs. There are six play areas designed by child life specialists and geared toward children of different ages. For teens there's an activity room with electronic equipment, games and activities just for them. The multi-sensory playroom is a unique interactive environment, with sound, light and other features to promote healing.

A classroom, staffed by a full-time tutor and wired for face-to-face interaction between patients and their classmates, provides a familiar routine.