|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Axis Community Health opened its newly refurbished and expanded Pediatric Suite at its offices on Railroad Avenue in downtown Pleasanton Friday.
There is a common stereotype that children dread going to the doctor’s office. Yet imagine if that medical facility was transformed into a place that seemed to resonate with joy and greatly appealed to a child’s imagination?
That’s what the project architect, the late David Thistlethwaite, had envisioned: a space that would provide a “positive distraction” for children.
An electric train circles around the ceiling of the reception area, which he hoped would ease some of the anxieties that children feel as they wait for their checkup.
Vivid jungle greens and bright reds, blues and yellows are part of a wild and adventurous theme, creatively showcased in a mural. In conjunction with HGA Architects and Engineers, artist Tom Matousek painted the walls of the suite, teeming with color and originality. His inspiration flowed from the jungle theme of flora and fauna.
“I never wanted to grow up,” Matousek said. “And with that, I distinctly remember things through the eyes of a child, and that’s what I was trying to get at.”
“It truly took the whole village to make this happen,” Axis Chief Executive Office Sue Compton said.
The two primary benefactors were the federal government, through its stimulus funds of $250,000, plus Sutter Health gave $70,000. Other contributions include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Pleasanton Weekly Holiday Fund has contributed more than $100,000 to Axis Community Health, including nearly $30,000 this year.
In addition to the Pediatric Suite, the donations were used to expand medical records and the information technology facilities.
Development Director Valerie Jonas said that the responses to the new suite have been exceptional and “kids love the door,” referring to the nearly three-foot-tall swing open crawlspace designated for children.
Aside from the interior design, the building offers much more on a practical level. With the addition of two exam rooms, and more staff, Axis can increase its patient capacity.
“We’re now able to better serve our clients,” Jonas said. “The flow of the space is laid out to be more efficient and comfortable for families.”
Moreover, Jonas said that the renovated facility allows for more same-day appointments, which for families ensures that their children will be seen right away when they are sick. It also includes an immunization clinic.
Most importantly, Axis staff members hope that the building can uphold their objective of serving the community by “providing medical and mental health care that is responsive, affordable and of the highest quality,” as stated on its website.
“We’re getting so many more patients,” Compton said. “And as the economy is going down in this spiral, and people are losing insurance, and there are a lot of other people who just need affordable health care … we desperately needed the space.”
The next step for Axis, which Compton mentioned in her ribbon-cutting speech, will be acquiring a new building in the following years. To learn more, go to [http:// www.axishealth.org www.axishealth.org.]
Attendees at today’s event included board members, key donors, City Council members and Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman, whose poem “The Magic Door” was presented in honor of the new facility.
The Magic Door
By Deborah Grossman
City of Pleasanton Poet Laureate 2009-11
Open the door
to the wonder of the jungle
where the blue-eyed snake
and the butterfly welcome you
as the train toots a happy tune,
an Axis greeting for everyone
Swing open your-sized door
to the magic hallway
where the turtle and the parrot
sing your praises
and you will find a helping hand
and a caring touch
Walk through the door
to a warm and cozy space
where someone looking into your eyes
and says you are a special girl or boy
in this room painted purple or yellow,
the bright colors of hope and health
-
Kellen Matousek, son of muralist Tom, is fascinated by the colorful walls, much like the other children, for whom this building was built, will be. With a balloon in hand, he helped celebrate the newly renovated pediatric suite with the rest of the Axis Health Organization and its supporters. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
Axis CEO Sue Compton cuts the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony of the organization’s newest building, Pediatric Suite B on Pleasanton’s Railroad Avenue. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
Artist Tom Matousek shares his inspiration through which he created the mural masterpiece that decorates the interior of the brand new Axis Health Organization Pediatric Suite. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
In conjunction with the late architect David Thistlethwait’s concept of railroads that he envisioned for the pediatric suite, an electric train circles the ceiling of the waiting room. The mural, painted by Tom Matousek, creatively incorporates the idea of a jungle into his brushstrokes, and his vibrant colors add a playful atmosphere to the building’s interior. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
Continuing into the hallways, the jungle theme is meant to alleviate some of the anxieties that children feel as they wait for the doctor. The new building also allowed the addition of two extra exam rooms. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
The Axis Health Organization celebrated the opening of its newly renovated Pediatric Suite, located at 4361 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pleasanton. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
Alongside significant donors and supporters, Sue Compton celebrates the ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Axis Pediatric Suite in downtown Pleasanton. Those who attended include city council members, Axis board members and friends, the architects, muralist and even a poet laureate. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
With vibrant hues of yellow, green, blue and red, muralist Tom Matousek creates a truly exceptional work of art that decorates the interior of the Axis Health Organization Pediatric Suite. A small door provides a crawlspace for children and promotes a livelier atmosphere as they wait for their check up. Photo by Priyanka Mody. -
Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman, presents her poem “The Magic Door,” in celebration of this Axis Health Organization milestone: a newly refurbished Pediatric Suite. The theme expressed within her words mirrors the walls of the building, which are painted with the vivid imagery of jungle plants and animals. Photo by Priyanka Mody.
The above story just goes to prove why our economy is in the toilet today. With everyone out of work and wondering how they will put food on the table Axis has to build this playroom for children so that they will feel comfortable. What a waste of money!
And the worst part is that you and I are paying for this distraction adn I don’t know how I will pay my bills this month. How about telling the children the truth that going to the Dr. is part of life and not lead them to beleive that it is all fun and games. I know that Axis is just trying to spend all the money that they received from the stimulas package but to me it is disgusting. Spend, spend, spend seems to be the order of the day.
Everyone is NOT out of work.
Millions and millions and millions of Americans are putting food on the table.
Have you considered moving to East Oakland where the cost of living is slightly lower than in Pleasanton….have you ever heard of living within your means?
Also, have you considered sending your crystal ball to la Casa Blanca…they could you it!
Kathy, are you for real???
The adorable daughter of one of my friends was born with some complications and has had to endure multiple surgeries to try and correct these deformities. The little girl has gone through a lot of pain and has had to endure long waits and missed out on a lot of her childhood. But she has been very brave and I’ve never seen her complain.
The little girl is five years old.
Going to the doctor is a scary experience for adults, let alone the little ones. Anything we can do to make this a less frightening experience for kids is a good thing, and worth the money invested.
Yes, I wrote INVESTED and not SPENT. The money we put into schools and hospitals and parks and other things for our children is an INVESTMENT in our future.
Kathy, I’m sorry you’re having financial troubles, but do you really think we should stop investing in our children because you’re struggling?
I hope things get better for you soon, Kathy. Times are hard for a lot of people and it doesn’t look as if we’re going to see better days for a long time, but we can’t give in to fear. We have to have hope and we have to plan for, and invest in, the future.
The children are our future. It’s as simple as that.