The Long Hall: Tufts Floating Hospital for Children

Children's Hospital -Tufts Floating Hospital for Children
7th floor hallway at Tufts Floating Hospital for Children

The long hall in the photo represents the start of one long week. Last Sunday, my oldest daughter, Julia, spent the night in the hospital. Everything is perfectly fine! Turns out she was dehydrated, had a touch of the flu and, mostly, exhausted (note to self: all-night fundraisers in the high school gym sound like fun, but not a good idea for a teenage girl who desperately needs her sleep). As any parent would be – I was a wreck, but for the most part I knew our hospital experience was for precautionary purposes. Although both Julia and I wanted nothing more than to go home, I was impressed with the medical team’s determination to ensure absolutely everything checked out OK. My mindset at the children’s hospital was the same as with airport security – I’d rather deal with the inconvenience than ever feel that something may have slipped by unnoticed. I’m a big fan of “better safe than sorry.”

We were at the Tufts Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center overlooking Boston’s Chinatown. The buzz just outside the hospital doors was electric.

Inside, the patient care Julia received was exceptional. I was most impressed with the kind and considerate bedside manner of every single nurse, doctor, aide and student that we encountered. Never did someone snap or act brusquely. I could tell that Julia felt comfortable and unafraid – as a parent; that made me feel good.

As anyone knows who has spent time in a hospital, there is a lot of time waiting for things to happen. In that time, I couldn’t help but observe the youth and energy of this teaching hospital. There were so many young, attractive people in scrubs and lab coats that it felt like we were on the set of “Grey’s Anatomy” – without all the drama and absurdity. When I popped down to Au Bon Pain, at all hours of the day or night, I was surprised to see it was active and busy no matter what the time. And again, it seemed I was always surrounded by young, good looking people. While, of course, healthcare should have been top of mind, I admit I was slightly distracted and mesmerized by the entire scene.

When we left Tufts Floating Hospital, I was glad we had taken advantage of the top-notch Boston medical system. How fortunate we are that our local hospitals are among the best in the world. The 45 minute ride from home was worth the peace of mind knowing that such a reputable medical institute had given us the all clear. And while Julia spent most of her time there sleeping, I was not surprised a few days later when she said, “After seeing everything that goes on in a hospital like that – I think I want to be a doctor.”

Thank you Tufts Floating 7. You did a great job – in more ways than one.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

5 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jen Killilea
8 years ago

It’s funny how life has little twists and turns. I love how this experience has resulted in Julia aspiring to the medical field. They would be lucky to have her!

Marge Romano
8 years ago

Thank goodness Julia is ok. We are so blessed in the New England area to have so many highly educated and dedicated people in the medical field who are always there when we need them.

Kathy Bodenrader
8 years ago

I’m so glad she is okay! This summer my 4 year old Ryan caught her finger in the hinged side of the heavy metal door that leads from the house to the garage. After a scream I noticed her pinky was literally hanging- after an ambulance ride to Lswrence, then a transfer to Tufts Flosying, she was given the best medical care we could hope for. When the doctor performing the surgery entered the room I must have gone white- he looked like he may have been 12 years old!! The nurse must have seen my look of fear and… Read more »

Carolyn
8 years ago

So glad she is okay. Your Mom had told me what had happened❤️ Aren’t we lucky to have world class medicine so close mr!

Jen Jones
8 years ago

Thank goodness your daughter is ok! It is so comforting to know that our Boston hospitals are filled with competent and compassionate medical professionals.