MONROE — Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana is proud to announce the grand opening of the Ronald McDonald House Family Room inside FMOL Health | St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC). Parents of children receiving care at SFMC will now be more present and involved in their child’s hospitalization thanks to the Ronald McDonald House Family Room.

Located on the seventh floor of SFMC, the more than 3,000-square-foot Ronald McDonald House Family Room includes three overnight suites and many amenities for families not staying overnight, designed to provide comfort and convenience for families of pediatric and NICU patients.

This marks the first Ronald McDonald House Family Room in North Louisiana. In addition to overnight accommodations, the space features two self-care stations with showers and supplies, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, a playroom for siblings, a stocked pantry, a coffee and snack bar, laundry facilities, a TV lounge, and a remote work area. Designed to give families the comforts of home, so they can stay actively involved in their child’s care, while enabling them to care for themselves so they can be strong for their child.

A joint Grand Opening Celebration between Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana and St. Francis Medical Center took place on Thursday, April 30th at 2:00 pm in the Tom H. Scott Jr. Conference Center located inside the St. Francis Health Crowley Complex where supporters and staff gathered to officially open the space.

“Today, we celebrate the opening of our eighth Ronald McDonald House program. While our programs span two states, our commitment is always local. Families in Northeast Louisiana are supported by the generosity of this community, with all donations staying right here to ensure parents can remain close to their children when it matters most,” said Janell Mason, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana.

Lori Moore, North Louisiana Mission Director, added, “We are excited to be back in Northeast Louisiana serving families. We owe the great support of this community to the Ronald McDonald House Northeast Louisiana chapter and look forward to continuing to connect with this community and give hundreds of families the support they need during a difficult time.”

“We’re honored to offer a Ronald McDonald House Family Room that gives families a comforting space within our hospital. Having a place that feels like home—just moments from their child’s bedside—can make an incredible difference for parents and caregivers,” said Thomas Gullatt, MD, president of FMOL Health | St. Francis. “This space reflects our commitment to caring for the whole family, providing a much-needed opportunity to rest, reset, and find strength during what can be an emotionally and mentally exhausting time.”