UI Children's Hospital recently opened a Room of Magic entertainment theater for its pediatric patients and their families.

Several years ago, Richard Bird, president of Rives Audio, shared an idea with Michael Artman, MD,  Physician-in-Chief, UI Children's Hospital, Bird was familiar with the Elf Foundation, whose mission is to create movie theaters in children's hospitals. He wanted to bring the Room of Magic concept to Iowa, so he arranged a visit from representatives of the Elf Foundation to University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Elf Foundation recently marked its seventh anniversary of creating Rooms of Magic--private entertainment theaters for children's hospitals so that countless special kids can look forward to the magic of a movie. The UI Children's Hospital Room of Magic is part of the ever-growing theater program and became the 70 th children's hospital to open such a facility.  

"UI Children's Hospital provides excellent medical care, and we feel it is important to enhance that physical care, both emotionally and spiritually. Having this space gives patients and their families a chance to bond, to get out of their hospital room, to take their mind off their illness," says Sheila Baldwin, Executive Director of Development at the University of Iowa Foundation for UI Children's Hospital. "The Room of Magic is a special space reserved for our pediatric patients. We know that hospitalized children miss out on so much of being a kid, so this space is created just for them."

"We're incredibly honored to be celebrating our seventh year in bringing the magic of music and film to sick children across the country," said Doug Weinstein, Elf Foundation president and co-founder. "On behalf of our board of directors and officers, we would like to thank the many individuals and companies that have supported our efforts over the years."

University of Iowa Children's Hospital gives special thanks to Rives Audio and Reference AudioVideo for their design and installation services. In addition, we are grateful for a gift from Loras College Dance Marathon, which was used to purchase furniture for the Room of Magic, and will provide funding for the ongoing programming of the theater, including concessions and newly-released movies.

For more information:

Michael Artman, MD

UI Children's Hospital

University of Iowa Foundation for UI Children's Hospital