RMHC and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Join Together

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio has partnered with OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital to open Central Ohio’s first Ronald McDonald Family Room for families with hospitalized children and of patients located in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“We want to give these families a place where they can go and rest, shower, eat, de-stress—all the comforts of home in the same area of the hospital where their child is,” said Dee Anders, Executive Director of the RMHC. “We know from our experience at the House that families need time to take care of themselves during moments of uncertainty. And that’s what this Family Room will offer.”

The 1,000-square foot Ronald McDonald Family Room offers a variety of amenities such as:

• Family gathering area with recliners and a television
• Dining area with a kitchenette, table and chairs
• Complimentary laundry machines (detergent provided)
• Children’s play area (games, crafts and gaming system)
• Multi-purpose space for massage, haircuts and other restorative practices
• Complimentary snack food and coffee
• ADA accessible shower (toiletries and linens provided)
• Work station with a desk, computer and complimentary Wi-Fi

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to bring this Family Room

to Riverside,” said Brian Jepson, president of Riverside. “While we are providing state-of-the-art care for our patients, this Family Room gives their family members the opportunity for much-needed healing and respite, while still remaining near their loved one in the hospital.”

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Riverside is the first in Central Ohio and one of over 200 across the world serving families whose children are being treated. The Family Room at Riverside will be operated from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. by volunteers and staff.

The nearly $500,000 project was funded by OhioHealth with support from donors including the Blue Jackets Foundation with support from the Lady Jackets, Worthington Industries, and Safelite AutoGlass.

The Family Room will open to families in mid-July with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for July 10. RMHC and OhioHealth invite the media to tour and photograph the space ahead of the open house on July 10 at 1:30 p.m. Media will have the opportunity to speak with Dee Anders and Brian Jepson during this time. Media should meet in the main lobby (blue area) of Riverside at 1:30 p.m. to be escorted to the RMFR.

Contacts:

Ryan Wilkins, RMHC, Sr. Director of Communications & Facilities – (614) 227.3768 or ryan.wilkins@rmhc-centralohio.org

Katie Logan, OhioHealth, Media Relations Manager – (614) 566.8855 or Katie.Logan@ohiohealth.com