MESA, AZ -- It looked like a high school pep rally in Mesa on Monday.
Cheerleaders and mascots lined the walls of the entrance from Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa to the new Cardon Children's Medical Center.
It wasn't a rally but a parade of sorts. Monday was moving day for several dozen children.
The $356 million, seven-story facility was designed and built just for children, and features a full pediatric staff including pediatric specialty physicians.
"He was holding my hand pretty tight," said Moganna Nava. Her son Nicholas has been in the hospital since Halloween fighting asthma.
"I think that was a little scary but very exciting," said Nava.
Her son along with other patients moved into the new 7-story hospital early Monday morning.
Among some of the hospital's amenities; private patient rooms, family lounges and interactive play areas for children.
"I might not be asking to go home anymore," laughed Nava. "I'm excited to see the room and all the new stuff."
Special features like a life size chess game to greet kids in waiting area, and age specific floors with themes.
"I think it's a whole new world for everyone," said chief medical officer Dr. Jeff Lobas.
He called the new children's hospital a dream come true.
"The spaces we had at the old hospital were adequate," he said. "But they were cramped and often we had to shuffle patients back and forth and put them in holding areas."
Now with a new children's hospital in the east valley he said Banner Desert will have more room for adults.
Lobas said it couldn't come at a better time. With swine flu cases bringing emergency rooms to capacity, 250 extra beds will come in handy.
"We expect it to be a very difficult year with large numbers of children," he said. "I think we're just seeing the beginning of it."
As for Nicholas, his mom says Cardon is just the place to help him get better.
"Asthma is a terrible thing for a kid, but we're working through it," she said.
Hospital officials said they have plans to build even more hospitals in the East Valley to keep up with the booming population demands.
Cardon Children's Medical Center
1400 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 512-KIDS (5437)
