Major Gift Fuels Advances in Both Mental Health & Cancer Treatment at Connecticut Children’s

The recent addition of the Medical Psychiatric Integrated Care Unit stands as a testament to Connecticut Children’s unwavering commitment to innovation. This state-of-the-art facility, opened in January 2024, is the first and only of its kind in the state. Designed to provide comprehensive inpatient care for patients with both medical and mental conditions, the unit embodies a pioneering approach to pediatric healthcare.

Part of the St. Pierre Family's generous contribution has been allocated to outfitting each of the unit's 12 rooms with cutting-edge CoWin Media Walls, developed by the esteemed Dutch technology firm, Recornect. These secure media walls empower young patients to engage in various activities independently, including art and games, fostering a healing environment that prioritizes comfort and well-being.

In the new eight-story tower, currently under construction adjacent to Connecticut Children’s existing medical center in Hartford, the Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit will be a hub of innovation and life-saving treatment. The cellular medicine section will provide services such as bone marrow transplants, while the gene therapy section will offer treatments that, in essence, rewrite a child’s genetic code to eliminate or change a medical condition. The St. Pierre Family Lounge will be a comfortable and welcoming haven where families and visitors to the Unit can relax and connect, while outside of their child’s room.

"Serving the holistic needs of children and families is a guiding principle at Connecticut Children’s. Bringing in therapeutic technology for our patients and thoughtfully created spaces for parents, siblings and support partners exemplifies our deep commitment to family-centered care," said Jim Shmerling, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s. "We are grateful to Tina and her children for recognizing the profound impact of these initiatives and for their selfless generosity in supporting our work to improve the lives of children and creating the finest care experiences imaginable at Connecticut Children’s.”

Connecticut Children’s new tower will include 50 new private NICU rooms, a Fetal Care Center, numerous fresh-air terraces accessible from inpatient floors and a large education and meeting center.