Community, local and state leaders gathered to cut the ribbon at the newly completed Phoenix Children’s Hospital Arrowhead Campus Thursday. It's the second pediatric hospital in the Valley.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers said city staff and Phoenix Children’s shared a vision to improve access to child-specific care for the thousands of residents it’ll serve.
“This project also helps us attract new businesses, strengthens our workforce and boosts the overall economy in the Phoenix area,” said Weiers. “Phoenix Children’s is making Glendale a better place to live, to work, and to raise a family.”
Weiers called the collaboration a “stand-up example” of how effective public-private partnerships can be.
“Sixteen years ago, Dylan was born with a heart defect,” recalled Valley mom Melissa McQueen.
When her now 16-year-old son needed a heart transplant, the closest clinic was in Dallas.
“Having this beautiful campus in our backyard would have been life-changing for our family,” she said, adding that they’d sometimes need to make it to several appointments a week.
Dylan said he’s known the doctors and nurses on his care team at Phoenix Children’s for years.
“They watched me grow up and helped me become the person I am today,” he said. “I’ve always been in good hands here. And as my mom said, I was born with a heart defect that required a transplant at eight months old. Obviously, that's a huge deal medically, but to be honest, I don't feel any different from anyone else my age.”
Doctor Heather Menzer will see patients at the new campus starting next month.
“This hospital is part of a much broader vision to ensure that West Valley kids, including my three children,” said Menzer, “can receive world-class medical attention right in our own backyards.”
The facility will offer 24/7 emergency care, advanced imaging and specialty services.
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