Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Granted $15 Million to Expand Pediatric Surgical Services at Lauren Small Children’s Center

BAKERSFIELD, CA ― July 8, 2020 ― 

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital has been awarded a $15 million grant from the Children’s Hospital Program of 2018 to advance comprehensive pediatric services in Kern County and improve health care access by children eligible for governmental health insurance programs and those indigent, underserved, and uninsured.

Administered by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA), the funds will be used to create a dedicated pediatric surgical services area within Memorial Hospital which will include two dedicated operating rooms, a pre-op and recovery area, nursing stations and support areas. The 8,000 square foot surgical area will extend pediatric clinical and burn services at Memorial Hospital’s Lauren Small Children's Center and will be built on top of the current Pediatric Unit.

“We are extremely pleased and honored to be among a select group of community hospitals chosen to receive this grant from CHFFA,” stated Ken Keller, President and CEO of Memorial Hospital. “This funding will assist Memorial in advancing and extending our set of pediatric services within the Lauren Small Children’s Center as we invest in meeting the needs of local children.”

Passed by California voters in 2018, the $1.5 billion bond is designated for private non-profit children’s hospitals, University of California Children’s Hospitals, and public or private nonprofit hospitals like Memorial Hospital that provide pediatric services for children eligible for California Children’s Services. During fiscal year 2019, Memorial Hospital treated nearly 35,000 pediatric patients, of which over 90% were indigent, underserved, uninsured, or were eligible for Governmental Health Insurance Programs.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022 after conclusion of the necessary planning and design work, along with necessary approval from the California Department of Public Health.

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About Dignity Health Memorial Hospital 
Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is a 426 bed acute care medical center offering a full range of services including the Sarvanand Heart and Brain Center, Grossman Burn Center at Memorial Hospital, expanded maternity and family care, the Lauren Small Children’s Center including the area’s only dedicated pediatric emergency room, orthopedic services, wound care center, 24-hour emergency care and general/outpatient surgery. Memorial Hospital is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and is home to the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House and Hope House. A member of CommonSpirit Health, Dignity Health Memorial Hospital is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1956. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/bakersfieldmemorial.