UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's themed rooms a hit with young patients

A circus tent built into a corner of the room in the Sioux City hospital's pediatric unit is sure to bring smiles to the faces of young patients who stay there while recovering from illness and injury. 

Since 2015, Siouxland businesses and organizations have been sponsoring themed-rooms designed to lift children's spirits. Sioux City Ford Lincoln kicked off the project in November of that year by donating a car-theme room. Then, Scheels All Sports funded an adventure room that lets young patients escape to the woods.

The following year, a treehouse dreamland created by Wells Enterprises, the makers of Blue Bunny ice cream, yogurt and frozen treats, was unveiled.

"It's great because each one is a very specialized unique scene," said Stacey Selk, director of Children's Miracle Network. "As we get a wide range of ages, from two or three days, who may unfortunately have to come back, up to 17-year-olds, it's great that we have these kind of specialized themed rooms."

Selk said the rooms are tailored to appeal to a variety of young patients. For example, she said an older pediatric patient may really appreciate the modern, neutral, calming environment that the CMBA Architects room provides. 

"You kind of get a whole variety up here, from really fun, kid-like rooms all the way up to more sophisticated for our teenagers," said Kari Winklepleck, president of UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's Foundation.

Winklepleck said hospital staff members really work to assign pediatric patients to a room they think the child would enjoy. She said 10 of the floor's 12 rooms have now been converted. The Jolly Time Pop Corn room and a room sponsored by Wilson Trailer are the latest additions. The Wilson Trailer room features puffy clouds painted on the ceiling, a farm and tractor-trailer mural that spans the length of one of the walls, as well as a search and find activity. Even the mud flaps Wilson Trailer uses on its trucks are incorporated into the décor. 

"They really did everything from floor to ceiling. They did a really great job," Winklepleck said. "This is a great partnership that we're able to do with local organizations and businesses that really want to give back and believe in helping children in this area." 

The unit's nurses station has also been completely redone. Giant green leaves pop from the ceiling and encircle the space. The renovation was a gift from Dr. Lee and Ruth Van Voorhis.  Van Voorhis specialized in obstetrics and gynecology and ended his career as the medical director of St. Luke's. He expressed his generosity through his volunteer efforts and charitable giving around Siouxland, according to a plaque affixed to the nurses station. Ruth Van Voorhis was a teacher and mother who volunteered across the community. 

"It's kind of like the first thing they see when (kids) come through here," Winklepleck said of the nurses station, which she said honors Van Voorhis' legacy. 

Artwork in the pediatric unit's hallways creates a warm and inviting environment for young patients and their family members. The pieces, which were a gift from the Gilchrist Foundation, also encourage patients to get out and explore as they heal.

"We partnered with Art SUX, a local gallery here, and we actually commissioned some great pieces," Winklepleck said.