WILLEMSTAD, July 24, 2024 – This week, Curaçao Medical Center’s (CMC) pediatric cardiologist Dr. Shirley Lo-A-Njoe and Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Curaçao, Claudia Rigaud, were honored to present and join a panel of experts at the annual RMHC Global conference in Chicago. Supporting them was a dedicated team of RMHC volunteers who proudly waved the Curaçao flag in the audience.
The conference highlighted the meaning and importance of Family Centered Care (FCC), defined as “Healthcare designed for and with patients and families, respecting the vital role families play in restoring and maintaining health.” Dr. Lo-A-Njoe and Mrs. Rigaud shared CMC’s achievements, particularly the extension of hospital hours into “family hours” in the pediatric department, allowing families to spend more time with their children. “Parents are not visitors; they are family and part of the healing process,” emphasized Dr. Lo-A-Njoe. This model has inspired several other departments within CMC to follow suit.
The RMHC Global Conference was a valuable opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the partnership between RMHC and CMC. Attendees engaged in three days of learning, inspiration, and connection with RMHC colleagues from over 60 countries. This year’s conference was particularly significant as it marked 50 years of RMHC mission impact since the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. The event fostered meaningful discussions on continuing to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
