Families, community leaders and Intermountain Health officials gathered on Monday for a celebratory groundbreaking of Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital. The ceremony, highlighted by fireworks and a drone show, took place at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
Local families see hope for care closer to home
For 12‑year‑old Benjamin Sanchez, the new hospital means fewer long trips out of state for treatment. Diagnosed with brain cancer as an infant and facing multiple cancer recurrences, Benjamin now travels to Utah every three months, a round‑trip journey of roughly 800 miles. His mother, Azalea Sanchez, said the distance adds stress to an already challenging medical regimen.
“It’s really difficult when you have a child that needs an array of specialists,” Azalea explained, noting that each trip pulls the family away from work, school and their support network.
Similarly, 13‑year‑old Judy Haynes recalls traveling for care since birth. “When I was two days old, I had to fly in a helicopter to Los Angeles for treatment,” she said. Her mother, Tisha Haynes, spent 30 days in Los Angeles for Judy’s initial cancer care. Though Judy survived, she continues to require pediatric specialists, and the family has often had to leave Nevada for treatment, disrupting employment and family life.
Both families expressed optimism that a local, full‑service children’s hospital will ease these burdens. “I think it will be amazing for kids all across Nevada to have a hospital near them that they can turn to whenever they need care,” Judy said.
What the new hospital will provide
Intermountain Health officials outlined the planned scope of services. The 180‑bed facility, designed to expand to 228 beds, will include cancer treatment, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, cardiac intensive care, emergency and trauma services, behavioral health, and a range of specialized surgical options.
The hospital is named for philanthropists Felicia and Ben Horowitz, who have contributed $150 million toward construction. Hospital President Russ Williams emphasized that once the hospital opens, Nevada families will no longer need to leave the state for comprehensive pediatric care.
Recruiting pediatric specialists is a top priority, Williams said. The health system is also partnering with local universities to develop a pipeline of pediatric nurses, a strategy led by chief nurse executive Mandy Richards.
Community impact and future outlook
While Southern Nevada already offers some children’s hospital services, Intermountain’s new facility aims to broaden access to highly specialized care that currently forces families to travel out of state. The project is expected to create construction jobs now and, later, a range of medical and support positions once the hospital opens in 2030.
Beyond medical benefits, the hospital promises to keep families together, reduce travel costs, and strengthen Nevada’s healthcare infrastructure. For families like the Sanchezes and Haynes, the promise of a local children’s hospital is more than a new building—it’s a chance to keep their children’s care close to home and their community.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
