HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Several pediatricians and family practice physicians toured the new pediatric unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center Wednesday. The in-house construction team at St. Mary’s recently finished the unit after a construction period that lasted several months.

The unit is decorated with an aquatic theme to help children feel at-ease during their hospital stay at St. Mary’s.

One area is equipped with a negative-flow air system to keep contagions from spreading to other patients.

All the rooms also have couches that convert to beds so parents have a comfortable place to rest as they help care for their children.

“We are so proud of the new pediatric unit and we know this will be a great environment to help young patients heal,” said Susie Goodall, clinical manager of the pediatric unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

The first pediatric patients will be admitted to the new unit on Monday. Pediatric patients are currently housed on the fifth floor of the patient towers at St. Mary’s.

That area will now be expanded to accommodate the tremendous growth of the St. Mary’s Regional Joint Replacement Center.