by Anna Hampton
Daily Lobo
The $233.8 million, 476,555-square-foot Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion was dedicated Saturday at UNM Hospital.
It was a milestone for medicine in New Mexico, said Hazel Tull-Leach, executive director of the hospital's Development and Marketing.
"It shows that someone had a vision, a dream and that they were able to go full circle," she said.
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Barbara Richardson said the pavilion helps address the greatest need in the state.
"There is truly no more important mission than providing health care," she said.
The six-story facility specializes in care for children with a pediatric and adult emergency room, themed nursing units and an interactive, Star Wars-themed infusion center, said Shannon Skinner, a hospital spokeswoman.
The facility provides 15 beds for Carrie Tingley Hospital inpatient care and 15 beds for labor and delivery.
Tull-Leach said the hospitals bright colors will help patients feel better.
"Studies show that these colors make you happy and not think about how sick you are," she said. "We try to have very few
white walls."
Rep. Heather Wilson said the hospital recognizes the special needs of children.
"It (the colors and themes) makes it less scary. They help to make it easier," she said. "As a parent, it matters to me the way they treat the children."
Claudia Davenport, 11, and 20 other children put their handprints into wet cement as part of the dedication.
Davenport said the bright purples, blues, reds and yellows make a better atmosphere for sick children.
"It'll be more homey," she said. "It's not all sad, like you won't make it."
Tull-Leach said because it is a teaching hospital, the state and University will benefit from the expansion.
"Our doctors teach in our school of medicine, too," she said. "So, the patients get the latest and greatest treatments, and the doctors are fully trained when they go to outside communities."
Barbara Richardson said the facility will attract top doctors and provide children with the best care possible.
"It's a very prestigious facility in the United States," she said. "Children's needs are oftentimes different from adults'. Children have different requirements. It's important to be able to
accommodate the entire family."
Tours of the pavilion gave the public an opportunity to appreciate the facility, Skinner said.
"This isn't just another wing of the hospital," she said. "It's an enhancement of what we already have. The UNM Hospital is like this secret. People don't realize what it has become."
UNM Children's
Hospital Barbara and
Bill Richardson
Pavilion
476,555 square feet
Six floors
Total project cost: $233.8 million
Completion scheduled for late May to early June
Adult Critical Care
Adult Emergency Center, 40 beds
Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit, 24 beds
Burn/Trauma/Surgical Intensive Care, 24 beds
Children's Care
Pediatric Emergency Center,
11 beds
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit,
20 beds
Carrie Tingley Hospital, 15 beds
Child Life Center
Maternity Center
Maternity Center Labor & Delivery, 15 beds
Neonatal Unit, 52 beds
Newborn Nursery, 39 bassinets
Source: UNM Hospital's Web site
