A premature baby—born in Coos Bay but whisked by ambulance to Eugene—just learning to breathe on her own. A middle-aged Lebanon man taking his first sips of juice after open-heart surgery. On any given day Sacred Heart Medical Center is caring not only for hundreds of Eugene-Springfield residents but for many out-of-town patients who need services only offered at a major regional medical center.

To heal, patients need the support of family just as much as they need the hospital’s care and expertise. Now those out-of-town families—in-town families as well—are getting more support, thanks to the opening of Sacred Heart’s new patient family guest house. In the past, patient families had to lodge with friends or family or at nearby motels (many offered lower rates to such families). That arrangement worked, but it wasn’t ideal.

The guest house at 1057 Patterson Street offers proximity to the hospital - just two blocks away - and spacious, private, low-cost or even no-cost accommodations (depending on a family's ability to pay). But the guest house fills a much greater need than that measured in distance or dollars." The focus is on providing a home away from home," explains guest house manager Nancy Hager. "It really is set up for patient families to interact with and give support to each other."

Comfortable common areas encourage families to meet and share experiences. An "open house" is held every afternoon with music or other low-key entertainment, giving families a chance to wind down and interact. Local patient families will be welcome at the guest house as well, to grab a shower, to rest and relax, to enjoy a snack or some music at the open house, or just to get away from their loved one’s hospital room for a few minutes of renewal.

The house’s formal name—the Children’s Miracle Network -Lions Patient Family Guest House—reflects the outpouring of community support that made the house possible. Much of the $1.6 million raised to purchase and remodel the house came from the Children's Miracle Network, and much of that through the efforts of area teenagers in their "Kids Helping Kids" pageants. The Lions Club donated $250,000 and is providing on-going volunteer support, and PeaceHealth employees chipped in $130,000 when it was started.

"Guests in hospital hospitality houses across the country always talk about the supportive spirit they experience with other patient families," Nancy explains. "That describes the sense of community the volunteers and I will be aiming for, so guests can leave their experience of whatever the medical crisis is, feeling that their stay in our home-away-from-home was a gift—a gift of community and healing."

We Need Volunteers!

Volunteers are the soul of guest house operations. Nancy has welcomed many guests since opening the Guest House doors in December 2000. Nancy encourages anyone interested in volunteering—whether as a guest house host, a handyperson, a van driver, a musician or musical group—to e-mail or call her at (541) 685-1970.

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