LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Parents of children receiving care at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock will soon be able to stay even closer to their hospitalized child through a brand new in-hospital program. The 2nd Ronald McDonald House in Central Arkansas was announced Friday, Sept. 12, by Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana (RMHC AR & NLA) at a joint event at the hospital.
Through a partnership between Baptist Health and Ronald McDonald House, an over 6,000- square-foot space on the mezzanine level of the hospital will be renovated and operated by RMHC AR & NLA. The new program will feature six overnight suites and a large common area for day use by families of pediatric or NICU patients receiving care in the hospital.
In addition to the six overnight suites, it will also include a kitchen, fully stocked pantry, coffee and snack bar, dining room, playroom for siblings, laundry rooms, TV lounge, remote work space, showers for caregivers not staying overnight, and many other comforts of home so parents can be in the best position to make vital decisions for their child. Thanks to generous donors and volunteers, all services are provided free to caregivers.
The construction announcement took place Sept. 12 on the mezzanine floor inside Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock. Construction will begin soon after and this new program is expected to begin serving families by Spring 2026.
“Baptist Health is one of the state’s largest providers of women’s services delivering more babies than anyone else,” said Brent Beaulieu, Baptist Health CFO and board member for Ronald McDonald House. “A key part of that is caring for high-risk mothers and babies that require neonatal intensive care support. Over the years, Ronald McDonald House has supported our families that needed assistance with a place to stay, but the idea of having something within our hospital was even better so families could remain close to their babies. Over time, we found a great space in the hospital that will be able to not only serve families that are traveling from a distance, but also families from the local area that may not stay overnight. We are excited to expand our partnership with Ronald McDonald House to better serve our families in a way we could not have done on our own.”
Studies show that family involvement in patient care for children reduces parental stress, anxiety and depression; improves maternal-infant bonding and breastfeeding; and eases the transition to care at home after discharge from the hospital.
“Beginning construction on this new Ronald McDonald House marks a powerful step forward in our mission to serve even more families. This new House will offer comfort, care, and a sense of home to families facing unimaginable challenges. We’re deeply thankful to our supporters to date for helping make this vision a reality,” said Janell Mason, CEO of RMHC AR & NLA.
Only $345,000 remains to fully fund the $3.5 million project, which includes three years of operating support. Thanks to the generosity of donors, $3.1 million has already been raised for this new Ronald McDonald House. To donate or learn more about how you can support this Ronald McDonald House, contact Janell Mason at janell@rmhcar-nla.org or 501-593-0913.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Arkansas & North Louisiana
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Arkansas & North Louisiana is a locally funded and operated non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Since 1981, more than 67,000 families have been served at the Ronald McDonald House Little Rock, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room in UAMS, all in Central Arkansas along with Ronald McDonald House Fort Smith, Ronald McDonald House Washington Regional, and Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mercy Hospital Northwest. Its newest program, Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier will open in October 2025 with the Ronald McDonald Family Room in St. Francis Hospital opening Spring 2026 in Monroe, Louisiana. Find out more at rmhcar-nla.org and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Baptist Health
For more than a century, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health, Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization, is here For You. For Life. – with more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit Baptist-Health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app.