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Children's Hospital History Past & Present

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Apr 16, 2009 6:08 pm US/Eastern

Children's Hospital History Past & Present

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― It all began with a child's wish.

Kirk LeMoyne, the son of a Pittsburgh pediatrician, raised enough money for a single cot at a local hospital to be used only for babies and other little ones.

By 1890, the first Children's Hospital opened on Forbes Avenue. It had 15-beds. By the 1920s, there were 100 beds and six buildings.

Over the years countless worried parents have been given hope - and countless children have been made whole.

"1-2-3-CUT!" With a snip of a ribbon today there was a celebration of the city's newest state-of-the-art "Children's Hospital of UPMC".

It's a 10-acre campus in Lawrenceville that's taken a dozen years to become a reality.

"Honestly, for me it's hard to believe that we ever thought we could do it - but we did," said Mary Jo Dively, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

With its palette of pop art colors, the hospital is designed to delight any child's eye.

Just ask the experts.  Former patients Hayley and Maggie were impressed. "I like it!"..."It's beautiful," they said.

The new hospital is the best that $750 million can buy.

Mario Lemieux is sponsor of a Playroom named for his son Austin.

There is a soaring Atrium, a Healing Garden, and accommodations for exhausted moms and dads.

That's Erica Witherspoon's favorite feature, "There's actual beds for my Mom to sleep on because she loves to stay with me."

Roger Oxendale, hospital CEO, believes that, "We've really organized the care process that will enhance the quality even beyond what we have."

And the future health of children is realized in the "Rangos Research Center" with more than 350 scientists and clinicians working to make kids' lives better.

Dr. David Perlmutter is the Director, "We want to develop new ways to treat the major illnesses that affect our children."

Finally, on a more practical note, there is plenty of parking.

On May 2nd, the brand new Children's Hospital of UPMC will welcome patients and be open for business.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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