In the Spring of 2019, we opened our Family Room located on the 2nd floor within the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. Families are just steps away from their child’s bedside. Our Family Room features 3 sleeping…
Nearly 30 years later, we have relocated to our current 26-bedroom house and now annually serve over 1,000 families. In addition to overnight accommodations, we provide respite services and supplemental programs to assist with healing, dental, vision and other healthcare…
In November of 1981, a group of dedicated volunteers formed the Gulf Coast Children’s Medical Foundation, Inc. (name was later changed to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida, Inc.) to organize and support the House. Dr. Bell was the…
In 1981, Dr. Reed Bell, who was Director of Pediatric Services at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, initiated the quest to build a “Home-Away-From-Home” for families of hospitalized children. After making an inquiry through McDonald’s local agency, a feasibility study was…
In 1974 the first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time Kim Hill, the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill, was undergoing treatment for leukemia. Throughout Kim's treatment, her father recognized the need…