The Tempur Sealy Foundation pledged a gift of $2 million to support a pediatric sleep center at Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

“There is an unequivocal connection between sleeping and a child’s emotional, physical and mental development,” says Scottie B. Day, MD, physician-in-chief at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, in a release. “Children who are affected by a sleep disorder are more susceptible to long-term health problems.”

In Kentucky, only three sleep centers accept children as patients. The sleep center at UK HealthCare is better suited for adults and cannot accept children younger than 18 months or those with complex health problems. With the demand from both adult and pediatric patients, wait times for appointments can be as long as eight weeks.

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To address these challenges, the new Tempur Sealy Pediatric Sleep Center will operate six nights a week and be staffed by pediatric sleep experts. It will address the increase in demand for pediatric sleep services and reduce wait time for appointments to about 14 days.

Tempur Sealy Chairman and CEO Scott Thompson says in a release, “As a global leader in sleep-related products and the world’s largest mattress manufacturer, we know very well how important a good night of sleep is to overall health and wellness. Our organization is passionate about supporting our communities, particularly children in need. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the University of Kentucky by contributing to the establishment of this new state-of-the-art pediatric sleep center.”

Located in UK HealthCare’s Chandler Hospital adjacent to the pediatric sedation and procedure unit, the center’s features will include:

  • Four patient care rooms that also serve as exam space for patient appointments by day and sleep labs by night.
  • Sleep monitoring equipment calibrated specifically for pediatric patients in each room.
  • Rooms designed to be comfortable and child-friendly with a private bathroom and space for a parent to stay overnight.

“This gift from the Tempur Sealy Foundation will go a long way in helping us treat our most vulnerable patients at a critical point in their lives,” says Day. “A well-rested child is a happy, healthy child, and this gift helps us further our mission of delivering high-quality, comprehensive care to children across the Commonwealth.”