A gathering was held Tuesday, Sept 12, 2023 at the Owen Sound Hospital to mark the official opening of a new smilezone. In attendance from left to right, Rebecca Cummings, Chief Operating Office Brightshores Health System, Alysa Shewfelt, from the Heersink Family Foundation, Scott Bachly, Smilezone Co-Founder and Co-Chair Board of Directors, Dr. Shani Cato, Chief of Pediatrics Brightshores Health System, Pat Morris, Smilezone Board Member, Ethan Burroughs, Owen Sound Attack, Joan Waechter, Smilezone Board Member (Nathan Shubert/Bayshore Broadcasting)
There’s a new space to help kids feel more comfortable at the Owen Sound Regional Hospital.
A new “smilezone” was unveiled at the hospital Tuesday morning, an area that features colourful paint, new furniture, artwork, a television and other touches for children to enjoy.
The space was renovated recently by Oakville-based Smilezone Foundation, thanks to a donation from the Heersink family.
“All of these things are just a way of putting a smile on a kid’s face,” says former NHL player and Smilezone Foundation co-founder Adam Graves. “It’s just to give these kids that are overcoming obstacles a place to go and take their minds off what they’re battling.”
A look at part of the new “Smilezone” area at the outpatient pediatric unit at the Owen Sound Hospital. (submitted photo)
Owen Sound Hospital Foundation CEO Amy McKinnon says the new smilezone area in the pediatric outpatient unit at the Owen Sound hospital is now a much more welcoming environment.
“It’s really important for all of our patients to be comfortable before they see their physicians,” McKinnon says.
Alysa Shewfelt of the Heersink Family Foundation — the donors behind the new smilezone — was among those at the hospital Tuesday for the unveiling of the new space.
“It’s just such a great experience to see the transformation of a basic hallway and patient rooms to a really creative and engaging space for children and their families,” she says.
Owen Sound Attack forward Ethan Burroughs was also on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony: “To be able to come here and see the work that’s be done in the hospital to give these kids smiles for the tough times they’re going through… it’s awesome.”
The Smilezone Foundation has helped created more than 350 engaging spaces for kids in more than 80 hospitals and children centre’s across Canada since the charity was launched in 2013.