Dr. Margaret Van Bree | President, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital
1. Will the ongoing $25 million renovation at Hasbro Children’s Hospital position it as a stronger competitor with Boston Children’s Hospital? Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital enjoy a mutually beneficial partnership in which we share expertise that ensures all patients – especially those with heart conditions, cancer or behavioral health needs – get the right care in the right setting, close to home. On the rare occasion that Hasbro Children’s lacks the needed expertise, we work collaboratively with Boston Children’s to coordinate the care.
2. You’ve raised more than $25 million of the $35 million “Every Child, Every Day” campaign goal. How challenging will it be to raise the rest? When we embarked on the campaign, we knew it was ambitious. The community that built Hasbro Children’s 25 years ago is stepping up again to help us provide incredible care to the next generation of kids who call our region home. New, modernized healing spaces and the expansion of essential programs and research will position Hasbro Children’s very well to meet the needs of every child, every day, and their children’s children. Given the dedication we see in the community, we don’t expect that raising the final dollars will be difficult.
3. Will renovations disrupt care for patients? We have worked hard over many months to bring together all stakeholders’ input and to set direction for this transformative project. We have carefully planned construction to minimize the potential disruption to our patients and families, with family safety and comfort always our top priorities.
4. Are you expecting to make any new hires after the project is finished? We are always recruiting the best and brightest to Rhode Island to serve our patients’ needs. This renovation of Hasbro Children’s will make it even more desirable for world-class nurses, physicians and surgeons.
5. Is there any work planned in the near future at the affiliated Rhode Island Hospital? “Every Child, Every Day” is our current priority because the campaign will continue throughout the year ahead. But we are always evaluating our needs to ensure that we are nimble and can quickly respond to the changing needs of our patients and their families.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Graham@PBN.com.
