Meals “at Your request” - Johns Hopkins Children's Center

a dedication
For the Future
By Gary Logan and Wendell smith
Spotlights and studio lights overhead and jumbo screens lining
a stage? Strolling musicians and ribbon dancers? Smiling men,
women and children seemingly walking a red carpet? The making
of a Hollywood film? A movie premier, perhaps? The grand
opening of a theme park?
Maybe a little bit of each and a whole lot more. This was about
a big production, as well as a premier of sorts, and an opening,
though not of a new theme park but of the state-of-the-art Charlotte
R. Bloomberg Children’s Center and neighboring Sheikh
Zayed Tower. A more promising future for children’s healthcare
was the theme here at the official dedication April 12, and the
faculty and staff, dignitaries and donors, patients and families
had been waiting a long time for this moment.
“People are so happy and excited, I think it’s wonderful,” said
Pediatric Residency Program Director Julia McMillan. “It’s the
culmination of a long process.”
“It’s nice,” added pediatric gastroenterologist Maria Oliva-
Hemker, “to finally see a facility as good as the people working
here for our patients.”
One of those patients, 9-year-old Gavin Michel-Baird, was
among the first speakers. “When I was 9 months old, I was really,
really sick, but my parents found the GI department here
and because of that I’m not only here but I’m great,” he said.
“The new Children’s Center will make it even better for kids and
their families,” he added, introducing New York Mayor Michael
Bloomberg, a Johns Hopkins graduate and the son of the late
Charlotte R. Bloomberg.
People&Philanthropy
With the sounds of music and “lights, cameras, action” in the air, Children’s Center
faculty and staff, dignitaries and donors, patients and families celebrate the opening of
The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center.
“That the Children’s Center will bear the name of my mother
is truly gratifying,” Bloomberg said. “My mother would want
great advances in medicine and a whole bunch of children over
the years walking out with a whole new lease on life.”
Bloomberg went on to describe the new building as a worldclass
hospital that would tie research, teaching and clinical care
even more closely together at Hopkins and lead the way in defining
new standards of care. Pointing to the building’s stimulating
and soothing design, he added, “I don’t often give speeches in
front of a pair of colorful rhinos. It is the signature defining
touches from the great designer Robert Israel, among other artists
represented here, who have all contributed to a unique and
uplifting environment of support and healing.”
Soon after local musicians and high school choirs filled the
stage with dignitaries and donors as they unfolded a long blue
and green ribbon representing Bloomberg Children’s Center and
the Zayed Tower. Then, using the dissecting scissors used by
“Blue Baby” operation collaborator Vivien Thomas, Gavin cut
the ribbon, sending ribbons across the stage and into the audience
with the announcement that “The doors are now open.”
Watching from the audience, Assistant Director of Pediatric
Nursing Dawn Luzetsky said, “All the hard work we put into this
building is now a reality.”
Pediatrician and donor Lawrence Pakula added, “There’s so
much for the future here. I’m glad I’m alive to see this day. I
could never have imagined this.”
Who could? n
Summer 2012 41