Ronald McDonald House to Open at WakeMed Hospital

Raleigh, N.C. (March 30, 2015) – WakeMed Health & Hospitals is pleased to announce an expanded collaboration with Ronald McDonald House of Durham by offering five bedrooms to support the families of its pediatric and neonatal intensive care patients.

The new Ronald McDonald House, scheduled to begin operations on April 15, will be located within WakeMed’s Heart Center Inn, located on the third floor of the WakeMed Heart Center in Raleigh. It will be the second house program operated by Ronald McDonald House of Durham.

Since the 2010 opening of the WakeMed Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House of Durham has operated a family room program at the hospital. The expanded collaboration will offer families of pediatric patients access to sleeping rooms, meals and activities that provide emotional support while keeping them close to their hospitalized infants and children.

“We care for thousands of babies and children each year at our Children’s Hospital, and as the only pediatric inpatient care provider and level IV Neonatal Intensive Care unit in Wake County, we are committed to providing the highest level of care for our young patients as well as much-needed support and resources for our families,” said Mark Piehl, MD, medical director of the WakeMed Children’s Hospital. “Our collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House of Durham is an amazing support system for our patients and their families, and this new house program is a great next step in our expanded partnership.”

Executive Director Oie Osterkamp said, “The support we provide caregivers during the most difficult of times ultimately results in better care for sick children. We are so glad to be a part of WakeMed’s commitment to patient and family-centered care.”

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a nationally recognized, private, not-for-profit health care organization founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding, compassionate, patient- and family-centered care to all. The 919-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, delivering health and wellness services that bring added value to the communities we serve. WakeMed is a leader in cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, emergency medicine and trauma care, physical rehabilitation, orthopaedics and neurosciences. Specialty facilities include the WakeMed Heart Center, Children’s Hospital, Women’s Pavilion and Birthplace, Rehabilitation Hospital, Adult and Children’s Emergency Departments and a Level 1 Trauma Center. WakeMed’s team of more than 8,200 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,200 affiliated physicians, and the more than 255 physicians employed by WakeMed Physician Practices use the most advanced technologies along with the best minds and the biggest hearts to ensure the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

About Ronald McDonald House of Durham

Built with love, the Ronald McDonald House of Durham (RMHD) offers a comforting home away from home and a community of support for seriously ill children and their families. RMHD programs provide families with the comforts of home, including private bedrooms, inviting community spaces, home-cooked meals and a stocked kitchen, a playroom, computer room and laundry facilities, as well as a network of support through interactions with other families, staff and volunteers. Since 1980, more than 33,000 seriously ill children and their families have received support at its flagship site, a 55-bedroom house on Duke University’s campus in Durham. An additional 62,104 families have been served through Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Duke Children’s Hospital and WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. A new Ronald McDonald House at WakeMed is scheduled to open in April 2015 to provide expanded services for caregivers of children receiving treatment at WakeMed Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.RMHDurham.org, follow us @rmhdurham on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.com/ronaldhousedurham.

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