First Inpatients Arrive at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's

Eleven-year-old Ayden Dzuben settled into a bright yellow room at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's this week, the first patient to enter the new pediatric inpatient facility after years of planning.

"Oh my gosh, I like this a lot," said Ayden, who was being treated for a ruptured appendix. "I love the colors! It feels so new and nice."

Ayden's mother, Irene Becker, said she was looking forward to a good night's sleep in the pullout bed—right next to her son.

"This is incredible! So much brighter and more beautiful," Becker said. "Totally different feeling."

Guerin Children's operates across Cedars-Sinai's system of hospitals and affiliates to deliver a seamless continuum of care for hospitalized patients and outpatients as they grow from newborns to adolescents to adults. It is staffed by an expansive network of clinical experts, who provide primary and specialty care for children and families.

Guerin Children's offers a full array of pediatric specialties as well as pediatric surgery and transplants—leveraging Cedars-Sinai's nationally recognized programs in cancer, cardiology, gastroenterology, metabolic disorders, obstetrics, orthopaedics, pulmonology, rheumatology and the neurosciences.

In addition to advanced clinical care, Guerin Children's combines leading-edge pediatric research and forward-looking physician education and training to support Cedars-Sinai and its healthcare partners across the region.

The centerpiece of the enterprise, the new 26-bed facility on the Cedars-Sinai campus, has been designed to maximize comfort for children and their families. The space features a game and movie room with interactive screens, work by local artists, a peaceful outdoor garden, a lounge for families and large patient rooms with accommodations for adults to stay overnight with their children.

Patient Nuri Al Ridani, 11, tested the game room, playing with fierce concentration and seemingly forgetting he was in the hospital. "This game room is amazing! It feels way happier," Nuri said.

Physicians, nurses and others said they are committed to turning Guerin Children's into a national and international destination for children's care.

"We are delighted to welcome our first patients and to see this innovative model of healthcare come to life," said Ophir Klein, MD, PhD, inaugural executive director of Guerin Children's and The David & Meredith Kaplan Distinguished Chair in Children's Health. "After years of planning, we are looking forward to serving as an important resource for children in the Los Angeles community and around the world."

Guerin Children's has been made possible by a $100 million gift from the Shapell Guerin Family Foundation and its president, Vera Guerin, a longtime Cedars-Sinai supporter and immediate past chair of the Cedars-Sinai Health System Board of Directors. The contribution is the largest lifetime gift in Cedars-Sinai's 120-year history.

"We are thrilled that our vision is now a reality and pediatric patients will receive excellent medical care in this beautiful, state-of-the-art, child-friendly facility," Guerin said. "We are dedicated to improving children's health and quality of life for young patients and their families."

Those who are leading Guerin Children’s said they look forward to serving children and families who need specialized care available through Cedars-Sinai.

"We will offer the highest-quality patient-facing clinical care while incorporating leading-edge research and academics," said Shervin Rabizadeh, MD, MBA, chair of Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai. "We look forward to children exploring our gardens, playing with our interactive art and enjoying the playroom, all while receiving the very best care."

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: In Her Own Words: Dr. Ruchira Garg.