Families dining together in the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Serve Suite, a comforting space for those supporting pediatric patients at MetroHealth Medical Center.
For families with children undergoing medical treatment, staying close to the hospital is paramount, often for extended periods. Recognizing this critical need, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at MetroHealth Medical Center has long served as a sanctuary for these families. Open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, it provides a comforting environment just moments away from their child’s care, featuring a relaxing lounge, a fully equipped kitchenette with complimentary refreshments, a play area for children, internet-accessible computers, and various amenities designed to support families during challenging times.
Building on this commitment to family well-being, we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Serve Suite at MetroHealth Medical Center. This new facility is designed to offer vital overnight respite for families of Cleveland’s most vulnerable patients. The Serve Suite will include four private rooms, each generously sized to comfortably accommodate up to three guests. Each room will be thoughtfully equipped with a mini-fridge and a welcome basket filled with snacks, bottled water, a notepad, tissues, and essential resource information.
Complementing the private rooms, the Serve Suite will feature a shared quiet lounge area, complete with a television, comfortable La-Z-Boy seating, convenient vending machines, and a private restroom with shower facilities. Guests will be provided with fresh linens, towels, and personal toiletries, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free stay. Importantly, guests of the Serve Suite will also continue to have full access to the existing Ronald McDonald Family Room during daytime hours.
The Ronald McDonald Hospitality Serve Suite at MetroHealth marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind in Ohio. It is anticipated to provide crucial support to hundreds of individuals each year, completely free of charge. The impact of such services is already evident; since the expansion of our Family Room at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital in September to include two respite rooms, it has already welcomed over 125 overnight guests.
Testimonials from families who have benefited from similar respite services underscore the profound difference they make. One mother, who experienced the support of a respite room firsthand, described it as “…a blessing. It was so helpful and comforting to be able to be with [my son] during the day and overnight for his feedings and kangaroo care. I can only imagine the added stress had I had to leave the hospital while he was still in the NICU.” The Ronald McDonald Serve Suite promises to extend this invaluable support to even more families in need, providing a comforting and convenient space during their most challenging times.
