The Ronald McDonald Family Room at
Dell Children's Medical Center
(In the photo, Kent Burress, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas and Sister Teresa George, COO, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas)
On September 14, 2011, RMHC Austin opened the new Ronald McDonald Family Room at Dell Children's Medical Center. Adjacent to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), this new Family Room is a haven for families who are caring for their hospitalized children. Read the press release here.
View photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony on our Facebook page.
Ways You Can Help
Check out our Family Room Wish List to find a list of items that are always needed for the Family Rooms. Purchase them, donate them, and bring them to us to make a difference for families.
Share Your Story
From time to time we like to share Ronald McDonald Family Room stories. Please take a moment and tell us about your experience here.
Family Room Story Questions
Complete and return form to Jan Gunter at jgunter@rmhc-austin.org.
About this Family Room
The Ronald McDonald Family Room serves families who cannot or do not want to leave the hospital while their newborn or child is being treated. With the new Family Room, RMHC Austin expects to service an additional 500 families per year.
“I visit my babies every day, so the Family Room is a home away from home for me,” said Sarah Wells of College Station, and mother of four including twins born under three pounds and being cared for in Dell Children’s NICU. “It provides some normalcy and comfort during this stressful time in my family’s life.”
The 861-square-foot Family Room, located adjacent to the Dell Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), includes two sleeping rooms, a bathroom with shower, kitchenette, laundry room, living area, internet-accessible computers, and children’s play area. While primarily serving parents of newborn children in the NICU, the Family Room is available to all families with children being cared for at Dell Children’s.
Requirements for Volunteers
The room is staffed by volunteers from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Below are the requirements for volunteering.
- Completed RMHC Volunteer Application.
- Attend volunteer orientation at RMHC.
- Commit to a four-hour shift once per week for a minimum of six months.
- Completed DCMC Volunteer Application.
- Copies of immunization records (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) from your doctor.
- Two TB tests if you haven’t had one in the last 12 months.
- Attend volunteer orientation at the hospital.
- Hospital badge required must obtained after all requirements are met.
all communications and applications must go through rmhc.