New children’s hospital bringing the classroom to the patient

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FORT MYERS, Fla.- For 11-year-old Koreeanna Myers, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, a trip to the hospital is too frequent.

She finds herself at the HealthPark Medical Center for weeks at a time and that means missing out on school, but the doesn’t mean the education stops.

Garret Gablehouse, the hospital’s school teacher, and Koreeanna are thrilled that a classroom is being built in the new Golisano Children’s Hospital at HealthPark, set to open next year.

The classroom will help bring a sense of normalcy to the children while they battle their illnesses.

“It will get kids out of their rooms,” said Gablehouse, “it will give kids the opportunity to be excited about going somewhere.”

Once the new classroom opens, Koreeanna will be able to continue her education while not having to sit in her hospital bed.

“Normally he does some science projects with me and we make really cool stuff,” said Koreeanna, while describing her scholastic routine with Gablehouse.

The classroom will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and that’s where the Suncoast Credit Union comes in.

“The foundation’s philosophy and mission is to improve the lives of children in our community,” said Cindy Helton, with the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.

A $250,000 donation will build the state of the art space with iPads, projectors, and plenty of room to learn.

“It’ll be really great, innovative ways for the kids to be engaged while they’re here,” Helton said.

For patients like Koreeanna, it’s a project that’s sure to pay off.

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