New and expanded pediatric emergency room enhances care for families across Indiana

Central Indiana families have access to world-class pediatric emergency care with the new and expanded pediatric emergency department opening at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent.

This 11,762 sq ft modern space, featuring a total of 22 care areas, including trauma rooms, exam rooms, and other patient care and physician work areas, is designed to meet the growing needs of children and families seeking fast, compassionate, and specialized emergency care in a space designed with children in mind.

We pride ourselves on the ability to care for the most severe and complex patients with access to Level I Trauma care for both adult and pediatric patients, a pediatric and adult Burn Center at Ascension St. Vincent, and a Level IV Perinatal Center, meeting Indiana's highest designation for advanced maternal and neonatal care at the Ascension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital. This new pediatric emergency department enhances our ability to provide a seamless link to comprehensive care for the entire family. With direct access to more than 40 pediatric specialized services, including heart care, brain and spine specialists, cancer care, and surgical services, children receive coordinated care from nationally recognized experts.

“We know kids feel more comfortable in spaces designed specifically for them. The need for pediatric emergency rooms designed around children's unique medical and emotional needs continues to grow as we learn more about what children need to heal,” said Molly Wormley, MD, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital Emergency Department Medical Director. “Our newly designed emergency department was built with that in mind. Offering families a more comforting experience without compromising on the advanced, critical care their children may need.”

A Space Designed for Children

This new emergency department prioritizes more than medical excellence. It fosters healing through thoughtful design. Dedicated sensory rooms offer a quiet space for children with sensory sensitivities, helping reduce anxiety and overstimulation during emergency visits.

The space also features an imaginative design theme inspired by the original emergency room's beloved animal mosaics, evolving into a colorful origami animal concept. These playful shapes are decorative, but they also serve as calming visual cues, part of a creative wayfinding system, and a source of hands-on engagement in the waiting area. In the waiting room, families will find a range of seating options that cater to both small and large groups, creating a more flexible and comfortable environment. The furnishings are colorful, age-appropriate, and thoughtfully chosen to help children feel at ease.

“Every detail in this space was designed with children in mind,” said Tony Myers, MBA, BSN, RN Ascension St. Vincent, Director of Operations. “From the layout of the rooms to the lighting and the technology we’re using, our goal was to create an experience that lowers stress for kids and their caregivers.”

From flooring to fabric, every material in the new space was carefully selected for its durability and ease of maintenance, ensuring the environment looks as great months from now as it did on day one while standing up to the unique demands of a busy pediatric emergency setting.

Investing in the Future of Pediatric Care

The pediatric emergency room is one of four major construction projects completed at Ascension St. Vincent over the last four years. With the recent opening of the new Women and Infants Hospital and the ongoing construction of the Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital, the health system continues to invest in the future of care.

“These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of our communities,” said Dan Parod, President, Central Region, Ascension St. Vincent. “Our goal is always to provide the highest levels of care, which means building spaces that support the best possible outcomes for patients of all ages.”

Whether it’s a fever, a fracture, or a life-threatening emergency, families can trust the team at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent to deliver expert care quickly, compassionately, and close to home.