Patients and their families are taking an active role in the design of the new Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester.
Dr. Nina F. Schor is Pediatrician-in-Chief.
She says most children's hospitals have patients or family members on the committees that help determine the final design, so they have facilities that are built with the children and their families in mind.
One exterior and two interior mock-ups of are being tested by staff at the hospital.
Dr. Schor says they'll effectively walk through what they will need and do at the hospital, while patients and families will help with the "feel" and "theme" of the facility.
Dr. Schor says rooms are much larger, and the space in the old hospital that would hold three patients, will hold one patient in the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Sleeping space for a parent is also part of the new design.
It's expected the hospital will be completed in 2015.
Dr. Schor adds while they have 18 months to go on the hospital, they still have 18 million dollars to raise for the project.