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| St. Christopher’s Celebrates 130th Anniversary with Addition of Ronald McDonald House |
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PHILADELPHIA, November 28, 2005 – St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children celebrated its 130th anniversary with the announcement of a new Ronald McDonald House to be built on the hospital’s main campus at Erie Avenue and Front Street. The announcement was made Wednesday, November 30, 2005, during a celebration that will brought city and state dignitaries together to mark the hospital’s milestone with the debut of a commemorative mural.
The facility, to be known as The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House located at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, will provide a “home away from home” for families whose children are being treated at area hospitals including St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Temple University Children’s Medical Center and Philadelphia Shriners Hospital. Construction is planned to begin July 2006.
“We are thrilled our patients and their families will soon have this very special safe haven to call home during their time with us,” commented Jill Tillman, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children’s chief operating officer and acting chief executive officer. “We are most grateful to John Durante, president of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Philadelphia, Joan Emmi, president and board of directors member with Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, and to the Duffin family, founders of Katie’s Krusaders, for their tireless efforts, commitment and dedication to bring this wonderful facility to our hospital grounds.”
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| In addition to the Ronald McDonald House announcement, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, commemorated 130 years of medical advancements, scientific strides and pediatric care with the presentation of a five-panel mural by artist Betsy Casanas.
Philadelphia’s newest mural in process depicts the institution’s rich healthcare heritage including images and corresponding symbols of some of the most respected pediatric luminaries emanating from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children including Hospital Founder Dr. William H. Bennett, Dr. Waldo E. Nelson, Dr. Angelo DiGeorge and Dr. Sara Long. |
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| Jane Golden, director of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (on right) introduces muralist, Betsy Casanas (left).
State of Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare The Honorable Estelle B. Richman and Philadelphia Health Commissioner Joanne Godley, MPH, read city and state proclamations as Master of Ceremonies Stephen Madva, Esq., St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children governing board chairman and Jane Golden, director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, presented the artwork. Dr. DiGeorge, Dr. Long and family members of Dr. Nelson were in attendance.
Founded in 1974, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House is the first Ronald McDonald House in the world. Since its beginning, the Philadelphia House has hosted more than 27,000 families, providing lodging, comfort and support to families of seriously ill children who travel 25 miles or more for medical treatment. Families are asked to pay a nominal fee but no family is ever turned away due to their inability to pay. Today, there are over 286 Ronald McDonald Houses located in 25 countries around the world who follow the model established by the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
Ronald McDonald House Charities grants approximately $500,000 per year to support nonprofit programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. RMHC of the Philadelphia Region supports the Philadelphia Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses. It receives its support from McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s owner/operators, corporate donors and McDonald customers.
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children provides a wide range of pediatric medical and surgical specialties through its affiliation with Drexel University College of Medicine. With a medical staff of more than 270 pediatric specialists, the hospital is a Regional Level I Pediatric Trauma Center offering programs such as kidney and liver transplantation, minimally invasive surgery and open heart surgery. Part of Tenet Pennsylvania, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. To learn more about St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, visit www.stchristophershospital.com.
The Honorable Estell B. Richman, Secretary of Public Welfare, State of Pennsylvania, presents a proclamation for Governor Edward G. Rendell's office. (From left, Steven Madva, Esq., Chairman, St. Christopher's Board of Governors, Ms. Richman, and Jill Tillman, chief operating office and interim CEO of St. Christopher's.)
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