A new inpatient pediatric unit has opened at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital on the fifth floor of the Jaindl Family Pavilion at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township.

The unit is part of a plan to bring services from more than 30 pediatric specialties under one roof at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.

“When a child needs hospital care, it’s a difficult time for families,” Physician-in-Chief of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital J. Nathan Hagstrom, MD, said.

“With this unit, we give families peace of mind from knowing they will receive quality care close to home in a place designed for the specific needs of children and their loved ones,” said Hagstrom.

The new unit, which opened Feb. 7, has 30 private patient rooms. At 24,000-square-feet, it’s more than twice the size of the previous pediatric unit at the Children’s Hospital.

The unit has patient rooms identifiable by colorful animals such as the “Blue Bear” room or “Red Rabbit” room.

Each room has a playful design and décor, sleeper sofa for parents to spend the night, desk for parents who need to work, and storage.

A family lounge on the unit has a bathroom, shower, and washer and dryer that families can use.

The opening of the pediatric unit is part of the expansion of the Children’s Hospital following a gift from Lehigh Valley business owners and philanthropists J.B. and Kathleen Reilly.

Construction is underway on a dedicated lobby for Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. The colorful and welcoming lobby is to open in spring.

Expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit, and development of surgical, child-life and community health services for children are planned.