MU Health Care hosts tour for new children’s hospital

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Monday afternoon, MU Health Care held a tour to show the progress made on the new children's hospital coming to Virginia Avenue.

The facility is on track to open in June 2024, and will feature 146 private patient rooms.

There were empty rooms and lots filled with dirt, while construction continued on the building on Monday. Chief Hospital Operations Officer Keri Simon said making children feel comfortable was the most important aspect while designing the building.

Simon also noted MU Health Care worked with a parent-family advisory council to learn what aspects children and family would find most appealing.

"When you come into the lobby they'll be a giant tree, there will be birds hanging from the ceiling, we have spaces in the lobby... That's a two-story lobby to give you some of that height to let you do more of those kind of airy things," she said.

A skybridge on the third floor of the facility will also allow for patients to walk from the patient building to the clinic building without having to go outside.

Simon also noted that the building will feature over 30 sub-specialties for pediatric care, and will offer a variety of care options for patients.

"This building will also house our birthing center, which will be a very special place for moms delivering babies so you can come here for most everything," Simon said.