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Rocky Mountain Children's opens new teen lounge inspired by late patient's vision

Ryan Austin, who spent 50 weeks at HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children's before he died, dreamed of a dedicated space for adolescent patients.

March 25, 2026
Colleagues and donors gather at the ribbon cutting for the new teen lounge.

“We have 4-year-olds, and we have spaces for them, but what we needed was a space where we could really cater to our adolescents and our young adults,” Kara Hellums, a child life specialist at the hospital, said. “I got to help dream this with Ryan. We walked the space with him, and he gave us ideas.”

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Learn more about pediatric oncology at HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children's

Published:
March 25, 2026
Location:
HCA HealthONE Rocky Mountain Children's Presbyterian St. Luke's

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