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Children's Hospital Is Disney Operation

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The Associated Press

Published: September 20, 2007

Stodgy bedside manner? Not at this children's hospital, where Mickey Mouse may be making rounds.

The Walt Disney Co., known for theme parks and cartoon characters, is stepping into the decidedly less fun business of health care with a $10 million donation announced Wednesday to create the first hospital to bear the Disney name.

'It's all about creating a place where children have the opportunity to not be so overwhelmed in an environment they have never been in before and to bring them the opportunity to play and have joy and to imagine and dream,' said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World.

Construction on the Disney-themed, seven-story, 200-bed building began in earnest Wednesday. The $35 million Orlando facility is expected to be completed in 2010. It will revamp and replace the Florida Children's Hospital on the site.

Officials have not yet decided on the actual hospital name, other than it will include the famed brand. Disney 'imagineers' are working to 'develop the patient experience,' said Lars Houmann, president of the nearby 1,700-bed Florida Hospital, which runs Florida Children's Hospital.

Most patients don't look forward to going to a hospital, Houmann said.

He said that if most patients are asked 'Did you laugh? Did anything happen that speeded up the healing process?' most of the time the answer will be no.

He hopes the Disney hospital will change that, Houmann said.

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