The "buzz" is out about the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC) and its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Reginald "Reggie" Washington.

As buzz goes, the excitement is palpable — but questions rampant. What is this new hospital all about?

The mission statement of the new hospital — unveiled for the first time here — rightly states our only priority: the children we treat and their families.

"We intend to care for the child from conception, through infancy and into young adulthood with medical excellence and a comprehensive approach unmatched in the Rocky Mountain region."

But what does it really mean? How do we ensure success?

We sat down with Dr. Washington to find out. A first goal is to facilitate the improvement and continuation of high quality care for all pediatric patients (neonates, infants, children and teens) throughout the Rocky Mountain region. The best approach is to consolidate and coordinate all the pediatric services throughout the HealthONE system, not only at the flagship RMHC, but also at all HealthONE hospitals and associated outpatient centers.

What are the expectations?

"Not only will our unified standards and practices benefit our patients, but it will benefit patient families, referring physicians and all people who are associated with children across HealthONE. Everyone will be held accountable to the high standards set forth by RMHC. That means, wherever you see the name — at P/SL or at one of our sister hospitals — you'll know it means the highest quality of pediatric care."

While hospital planners implement the details and construction continues, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children is providing care within P/SL, where pediatric sub-specialists — not only physicians, but nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, case managers, nutritionists and many others — are focused on the safe, quality care of children.

And they're eager for their new home — the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children — and a new generation of care.

Seventeen years ago, several of Denver's leading pediatric physicians, pediatric sub-specialists and pediatric surgeons moved their practices to Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center (P/SL) with a vision of establishing the leading collaborative team of pediatric, neonatal, and maternal-fetal specialists available in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. In that time, our physicians and staff:

• Performed the First Fetal Surgery in Denver and the Region
• Offered the First Pediatric Robotic Surgery in Denver and the Region
• Pioneered Several World's First Surgeries
• Created the Only Hospital in the Region Capable of delivering High-Risk Maternal-Fetal Care, Collaborative Fetal Surgery and Pediatric Surgery following Emergency Delivery — All Inside the Same Hospital

Now we are expanding because we need more room. With excellence comes increased demand for our pediatric services. We have outgrown the space we have. The timing is right for the new Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children to better serve our patients, their families and their physicians.

Our new 100,000 sq. ft. tower will feature:

• Medical/Surgical Unit
• Pediatric Oncology Unit
• Pediatric Emergency Department
• Pediatric Post Anesthesia Care Unit
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Pediatric Observation Unit
• Pediatric Surgical Suite
• Pediatric Gastrointestinal Suite
• Comprehensive Pediatric Imaging Center