Green Forest family donates $100,000 to Arkansas Children’s Northwest
by February 21, 2017 11:23 am 474 views
Steve and Sharon Stafford of Green Forest and their family will give $100,000 toward the construction of Arkansas Children’s Northwest hospital. Steve Stafford is chairman and CEO of Anstaff Bank in Green Forest, which announced a $250,000 gift for the hospital last month.
Steve and Sharon Stafford’s grandson, Stafford Waller, was in the neonatal ICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for three weeks after being born at 32 weeks of gestation, according to a news release. Stafford, who is 10, “is thriving and will continue to care he needs close to home at Arkansas Children’s Northwest.” In honor of the Stafford family’s gift, a play area on the third floor of Arkansas Children’s Northwest will include the name of the family and Anstaff Bank.
“It’s not easy for any parent or grandparent to have a child in the hospital, especially when it involves a three-hour drive,” Steve Stafford said. “We want to honor our grandson and help ensure every child in the area has access to lifesaving pediatric care in their own backyard.”
Fred Scarborough, chief development officer for Arkansas Children’s and president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation, said “families like the Staffords know the unique value of a children’s hospital firsthand. We are honored to serve as their healthcare partner and extremely grateful for their friendship and generosity, which will help guarantee the children of Northwest Arkansas benefit from expanded, specialized pediatric care.”
The 24-bed pediatric hospital is being built on 37 acres west of Interstate 49 in Springdale and is expected to open in January 2018. It will include:
- 24-hour pediatric emergency department
- Five operating rooms
- Clinic with 30 exam rooms supporting more than 20 subspecialty areas
- Ancillary and diagnostic services, child-life and pastoral care
- Outdoor gardens, trails and interactive features for children
- Helipad and fueling station
In August, ACH announced a $70 million campaign for the hospital. It is expected to cost $427.7 million in construction, technology, equipment and operating expenses over the next five years and will create 250 jobs.