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What We Have & What We Need
Mature, Successful Programs Already in Place
Cabell Huntington Hospital has many excellent , long-standing programs for infants and children. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has recently been relocated into a larger area and offers the latest technology and standards of care. The Pediatric Unit was part of the original hospital when it was built more than 50 years ago, and it is staffed by many dedicated doctors and experienced nurses. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is run by pediatric intensivists who are passionate about providing life-saving care for critically ill and injured children.
Over the years, Cabell Huntington has gained a reputation for quality care for children through the efforts of the nursing staff and local pediatricians and the expertise of physicians with special training in treating pediatric patients in areas such as allergies, anesthesiology, cardiology, critical care, development, ENT, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, psychiatry and surgery. Along with neonatology, these specialties form the backbone of the pediatric care offered here.
"When you go through the departments of our hospital and see the tiny babies that are served by our community and the wonderful specialists that are already here I dont think anyone could not feel very strongly about supporting this aspect of our hospital, " said Christie Kinsey, Chairman of Cabell Huntington Hospital's Board of Directors.
Attracting Excellence
Despite the wide array of services and the dedicated staff and physicians, many children from our community must still seek treatment elsewhere because Cabell Huntington does not yet have all of the specialists that are needed. In order to better meet the needs of our pediatric patients, we need to continue to attract top-quality physicians with a wide variety of pediatric specialties and offer their much needed services here in Huntington. One way to do that is to offer physicians an attractive, state-of-the art environment in which to practice their craft. A medical facility dedicated to the care of children would show physicians and families how important pediatric services are to the community and the hospital.
The existing pediatric units have served their purpose well, but it isn't possible to accommodate the requirements of today's high-tech equipment in patient rooms that were built more than 50 years ago. Changes in the way care is delivered to children require treatment and procedure rooms that are not currently part of our pediatric units. Expanding the number of rooms for patients and offering more modern accommodations for their families will improve their experiences when they are treated here.
A Magnet for Growth
Establishing a children's hospital may offer Cabell Huntington more opportunities for supporting new programs. Cabell Huntington may become eligible for federal research programs and funding to bring the most current medical treatment, technology and equipment to the children of the Tri-State. The children's hospital may qualify to participate in clinical trials of cutting-edge medicines and equipment that aren't available elsewhere.
Finally, a children's hospital at Cabell Huntington may foster economic growth. Building the facility and providing fixtures, equipment and supplies for it will mean increased business opportunities in the Tri-State. Businesses considering locating here will want to be sure that there is top-notch health care available for their employees and their families. Having a children's hospital here will be an asset for bringing new employers and employees to the area.
According to Dr. Sarah Denman, President of the CHH Foundation, "When you're recruiting young, new families to this community in whatever walk of life it might be and they have children, there are two things they want to know the quality of the educational system and the quality of the healthcare system. I think it's just a huge thing for this community. It will make a difference not only in our quality of life, but in the lives of people who come here."
