For many children, a hospital visit can feel overwhelming. Bright lights, unfamiliar sounds, and new routines can create stress and anxiety, especially for children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or other developmental differences.
In some cases, these challenges can make it difficult for families to seek care. To better support these children and ensure access to compassionate, individualized care, Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart has opened a new multisensory room, made possible through the generous support of International Paper.
The Sacred Space Sensory Room provides a calming, therapeutic environment where children can regulate, decompress, and feel a greater sense of comfort and control during their hospital experience. The space features adaptable visual, auditory, and tactile elements designed to meet a wide range of patient needs.
“We know that no two children experience the hospital in the same way,” said Adrienne Maygarden, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. “This space allows us to meet children where they are and create an environment where they feel safe, understood, and supported. We are deeply grateful to International Paper for helping make this possible.”
The sensory room supports children with sensory processing challenges, anxiety, trauma-related needs, and neurological or developmental differences, but its impact extends far beyond a single diagnosis.
By helping children feel calmer and more regulated, care teams can improve the overall patient experience, reduce distress, and enable smoother, more effective care interactions. These environments may also reduce the need for interventions such as medication or physical restraint, while helping families feel more at ease during their child’s visit.
The room includes a variety of therapeutic tools to support sensory integration and comfort, including adjustable lighting, calming visual elements, tactile equipment, and flexible seating options tailored to each child’s individual needs.
“A hospital doesn’t have to feel like a hospital,” says Dr. Jason Foland. “When we create a space where a child actually feels safe and at ease, everything changes. They aren’t just patients anymore—they’re kids who can focus on getting better. That sense of calm doesn’t just make our care more compassionate; it actually makes it more effective.”
The creation of the sensory room reflects a broader commitment to patient and family-centered care, one that prioritizes listening to families and adapting environments to meet each child’s unique needs.
International Paper’s investment builds on its ongoing partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation, supporting initiatives that strengthen the health and well-being of children and families across the region.
“At International Paper, we are proud to support initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the communities where we live and work,” said Whitney Fike, Regional Communications Manager of International Paper’s Pensacola Containerboard Mill. “This sensory room is a powerful example of how thoughtful design and compassionate care come together to better support children and families.”
The Sacred Space Sensory Room is expected to serve hundreds of pediatric patients each year, enhancing therapeutic care, supporting emotional regulation, and improving the overall hospital experience.
As the only children’s hospital in Northwest Florida, Studer Family Children’s Hospital continues to expand access to specialized care while creating environments that support both the physical and emotional well-being of every patient.
At its core, the Sacred Space Sensory Room reflects a simple belief: every child deserves to feel seen and supported.
For more information about Studer Family Children’s Hospital or to support pediatric programs, visit www.givesacredheart.org or call (850) 746-1090.
About Sacred Heart Foundation:
Since 1984, Sacred Heart Foundation has supported and enhanced the compassionate care provided by Ascension Sacred Heart and Studer Family Children’s Hospital. Through the generosity of donors, 100% of every gift directly supports programs, technology, and services that benefit patients and families across Northwest Florida. This support ensures access to high-quality, compassionate care close to home and strengthens the health and well-being of our community for generations to come.
