Thanks to the support of volunteers, co-workers and donors, the Emergency Department at St. John's Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri just opened a new pediatric waiting area. The waiting area has new, kid friendly furniture, fresh paint, a television tuned to kid programming, toys and a colorful fish tank mural.

"The pediatric waiting room is one of the ED's first accomplishments to increase our level of pediatric care and family satisfaction," said Randy Graham, manager, Emergency Department.  

Volunteers and co-workers spent many hours designing, painting and placing furniture in the room to get it ready for the Hospital's smallest patients and visitors. During their annual fundraising campaign, co-workers donated about $5,000 to buy furniture and other items for the room.  

Nicole Bergner, secretary, Emergency Department, sketched in and painted the basic objects on the fish tank mural during her free time. Her uncle, Jim Peters, of Jim Peters Signs in Washington, added shading to give the objects a 3-D effect.  

Everyone's hard work was motivated by one thing: helping kids.

"We have a place where pediatric patients and their families can wait in a kid friendly and fun environment," Graham said. "Brand new furniture for adults and kids, kid television programs and movies, and plenty of games and toys are available while they are here." 

The Emergency Department saw 5,500 pediatric patients last year. The department is expecting a 10 percent increase this year.

 

Continuing with its local author series, the Washington Public Library will host Dene Weideman on December 18.  The series hosts a new local author on the third Thursday evening of each month.  The programs will start at 7:00pm and last for an hour.  The authors will have an opportunity to present their work to the audience, answer questions, and sell and sign their books.

 

The schedule includes:

The free Third Thursdays programs will be held in the Friends of the Library room in the Washington Public Library.  No registration is necessary.

For additional information, contact the library at 636-390-1070.  The Library is located at 415 Jefferson Street, Washington, Missouri.

Continuing with its local author series, the Washington Public Library will host Sue Reed on November 20.  The series hosts a new local author on the third Thursday evening of each month.  The programs will start at 7:00pm and last for an hour.  The authors will have an opportunity to present their work to the audience, answer questions, and sell and sign their books.

 

The schedule includes:

The free Third Thursdays programs will be held in the Friends of the Library room in the Washington Public Library.  No registration is necessary.

For additional information, contact the library at 636-390-1070.  The Library is located at 415 Jefferson Street, Washington, Missouri.