While some people picture hospitals as sad, dingy and smelling of commercial cleaning supplies, visitors walking through the doors of Bethany Children’s Health Center are met with just the opposite vibe. The foyer is bright and airy, surrounded by color and an overall sense of joy. Those visitors are greeted by the staff’s mission statement, which includes the phrase “we dedicate ourselves to maximizing the potential of every child.” And walking through, it is clear that they are living up to this mission.
What was founded as Oklahoma’s first orphanage in 1898 by a teacher named Mattie Mallory has morphed into a 160-bed facility focused solely on providing care for children requiring all levels of care, serving roughly 6,000 kids in just the last year. The campus includes a complex care facility, with vibrant images of Route 66 landmarks adorning the walls. This facility houses 12 units which have anywhere from six to 10 kids per unit, who stay for an average of three years. Children with long-term illnesses or who are recovering from a catastrophic injury or accident reside in the Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation unit. The facility strives to provide as many services in-house as possible to limit the stress of having to leave campus for these appointments. Director of Development and Public Affairs Ashleigh Robinson said, “Our primary focus is the stability of each child’s health.”
Outpatient services are available in the main tower with both clinic space and rehabilitation. Its new 200,000-square-foot outpatient facility will be completed in November, and will begin accepting patients in the beginning of next year. “Our fourth area of service is preventative health, which will also be in the new building,” Robinson noted. Bethany Children’s is committed to helping the community and offers education on preventing common accidents to decrease the likelihood of children becoming future patients.
While all children continue with schooling while admitted, those between the ages of 3 and 21 in the complex care unit have an opportunity to work on their educational goals using an Individualized Education Plan in special education classrooms coordinated with Bethany Public Schools. “Most of their goals are based around communication, as so many of these kids are nonverbal. Learning how to say yes or no, in whatever way is appropriate for them, is something that is very important to give them autonomy,” Robinson said.
In addition to receiving incredible medical care and education, each child participates in physical rehabilitation with a multi-disciplinary team of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, all working toward individualized goals. State-of-the-art tools, such as the Zero G 3D Ambulation system, the Armeo Spring Pro and HydroWorx Therapy Pool, are used to maximize each patient’s potential.
The most impressive aspect of Bethany Children’s is the rich community the professionals have created within their patient population. There is an Adapted Recreation and Fine Arts Center which allows kids to play sports like wheelchair basketball or adapted track and field. A musical starring the children is put on each spring and winter, and many professional groups from the community will also come perform on their stage. There is even an annual prom complete with a prom king and queen.
Mattie Town is a miniature town which provides real-life training opportunities for both the kids and their families. Skills like getting on and off a school bus, maneuvering over a ramp and even cooking a meal can all be practiced in Mattie Town. It is also home to one of the state’s only Smart Homes, which offers information on extensive adaptive equipment resources for kids going back home with their family. Everything from adapted video game controllers and remotes to door hinges and light sockets are demonstrated, providing a QR code with resources to help update their homes.
Robinson said that she hopes people know that Bethany Children’s Health Center is a happy place and that the kids are happy; she encourages everyone to come tour the facility. “In the face of some of the things our kids are dealing with, it’s hard for some individuals to imagine a world in which our kids have happiness. Our kids have joy-filled lives, and it’s because of the services we’re able to give them.”
