TUCSON-Children and their families living in southern Arizona have another healthcare option: Tucson’s first pediatric hospital, Diamond Children's Medical Center at University Medical Center, has opened.

Located on the local campus of the University of Arizona, Diamond Children's Medical Center has been under construction for five years. Designed by San Diego, CA-based NTD Architecture and constructed by Phoenix-based Kitchell, the healthcare facility unites the pediatric resources of The University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center and University Medical Center.

Diamond Children’s, which features an entrance and lobby separate from the University Medical Center, is designed as a "family centered" pediatric medical center. It encourages the hospitalized children’s parents to be actively involved in all aspects of the child's care by accommodating families' physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.

The new center features 36 neonatal intensive care unit beds with special "nesting rooms" where parents can stay with their children long-term, and, with the help of medical specialists, learn to simulate their home environment as they transition to provide care for their child at home. It also offers 20 pediatric intensive care unit private rooms, each with a bathroom and shower, along with 12 private rooms for hematology/oncology and six blood and marrow transplantation rooms.

All rooms have private bathrooms, sleeping beds for parents and Internet access. Additionally, there is a pediatric playroom on each floor, a teen activity room, a library/classroom, a lactation room and a healing garden. The facility offers room service, along with a caf

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Tucson&#146;s First Pediatric Hospital Opens

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Tucsons First Pediatric Hospital Opens