Children at Maryland School in north central Phoenix will have a new place to learn and unwind this year thanks to sweat equity and donations from Abrazo Central Campus employees and medical staff. School officials unveiled the new Abrazo Wellness Room this morning.

Students, school leaders and Abrazo representatives attended a ribbon cutting and tour of the Wellness Room, and a large donation of school supplies was presented by Abrazo Central Campus.

The Abrazo Wellness Room offers a place where students can experience a calming, and learning, environment, according to Maryland School Principal Nick Gupton.

“We couldn’t be more proud of giving back to our community and really appreciate the opportunity to do so. Hopefully the children and teachers will enjoy this room for many, many years to come,” said Abrazo Central Campus CEO Greg Pearson.

The Wellness Room project started with Abrazo Central Campus staff volunteering to spruce up the room with new paint. Physicians from the hospital’s medical staff contributed funding for furniture and equipment, for a total contribution valued at more than $12,000. 

“Hospital staff did the physical work of painting to refurbish the room which was a lot of work, but it just goes to show that we are all committed together to the community, our medical staff along with our administration,” said Dr. James Carty, chief of staff at Abrazo Central Campus and Abrazo Scottsdale Campus. “We are really happy to have the opportunity to do this.”

School staff also put in many hours to design and create a calming space in the Abrazo Wellness Room. It’s an inviting space with stations for various learning experiences.

“What it comes down to is people, and Abrazo has been a partner of Maryland and our district for many, many years. The school and hospital are the heart of the community. Thank you for partnering, loving, caring and having a community with us, we appreciate it,” said Washington Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton.

Maryland School provides education for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. When school officials said they were holding a back-to-school supplies drive, Abrazo Central Campus jumped into action.

“The school supplies were donated by our staff. Maryland School is part of our community and our neighbor, so it’s nice to be able to share the supplies with the kids who may someday be future employees of our hospital,” said Abrazo Central Campus Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Henderson. “We are really excited to be neighbors and partnering with the school.”

"Abrazo Central Campus has deep roots in north central Phoenix corridor. We have a long-term commitment to being the community hospital for our neighbors,” added Pearson.