Accommodations

A pediatric patient liaison is available from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week, to provide you with information about the accommodations available. Your child's nurse can help you contact the liaison.

Staying Overnight in Your Child's Room

Hospitalized children often benefit by having a parent stay the night with them, so we provide comfortable reclining chairs and pullout beds in each private room. If you would like to stay overnight in your child's hospital room, please check first with your child's nurse.

Other Hospital Accommodations

Parents also have the option of spending the night in facilities that are located very close to the hospital. Please contact your child's nurse for details about room availability and rates.

Hotels

During treatment, patients and their families may receive a discount at many Chicago hotels. Note: The University of Chicago Medicine does not endorse any individual hotel.

ATMs (Automated Teller Machines)

ATMs are located in the:

• Comer Children's Hospital lobby
• Bernard A. Mitchell Hospital lobby
• Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM) lobby
• Goldblatt lobby
• Near the University Bookstore at 58th Street and Ellis Avenue

Chapel and Other Places of Worship

The chapel is located on the first floor of the hospital and is open 24 hours a day (room 1B). You can find a listing of places and times of worship within the neighborhood in the Family Learning Center or in the chapel.

Computer Services

Internet access is available in each child's room with the exception of the intensive care units (cardiac, neonatal, and pediatric ICUs). Computers with Internet access and printers are available in the Family Learning Center.

We provide free, secure, high-speed Internet access for all patients and visitors. This service is automatically provided to patients and by request to all visitors. Patient Internet access is part of the in-room patient entertainment system. Visitors can request Internet access from the Comer Children's Hospital pediatric patient liaison. Once the request is completed, visitors can access the Internet via a wired or wireless connection from their own laptop.

Family Learning Center

Located on the main floor of the hospital, the Family Learning Center is staffed by health professionals who can assist parents in obtaining information about childhood health and illness. In the center, families also have access to the Internet, videos, books, and brochures.

A children's library is also available in the Family Learning Center. Siblings of hospitalized children are welcome to make use of this library. Learn more about the Family Learning Center. »

Fitness Center

There is a state-of-the art athletics center on the University of Chicago campus. You can find information about hours and fees by phone (773) 753-4680.

Food for the Family

Family Kitchen

Families may use the family kitchen on the sixth floor of Comer Children's Hospital to store and/or cook their own food (room K-686). This kitchen is open 24 hours every day, and is free of charge to families.

Other Areas in and Around the Hospital

The Family Learning Center provides the hours of operation for the places listed below:

• Au Bon Pain: First floor of Comer Children's Hospital and second floor of the Mitchell Hospital
• Guest Trays: Trays may be purchased from the child's room service menu. Learn more about ordering guest trays. »
• Food Court: Second floor of the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM). The DCAM is across the street directly west of Comer Children's Hospital.
• Argo Tea: DCAM lobby
• Cafeteria: Basement of Mitchell Hospital, near the "D" elevators. Mitchell is across the street directly south of Comer Children's Hospital. Directions to/from the Cafeteria to Comer (PDF)
• Starbucks Café: University Bookstore building at 58th Street and Ellis Avenue (just east of Comer Children's Hospital)
• Menu Books and Maps to Local Restaurants: Available at the unit reception desk
• Vending Machines: Vending machines can be found in the lounge on each floor.

Gift Shop

Gifts, magazines, books, snacks, toiletries, and non-prescription medicines are available in our gift store, located in the Bernard A. Mitchell Hospital lobby.

Interpreters

Speakers of Languages Other Than English

Upon admission, we will identify patients and families who need translation services. Should you have any questions about this service, please call (773) 702-1807.

Hearing and Visually Impaired

The hospital provides an American Sign Language interpreter and/or TTY machine for hearing impaired patients and families. Documents and materials can be read to the visually impaired and can be taped upon request.

Lactation Needs

A lactation consultant and room are available to breastfeeding mothers. For more information, please ask your child’s nurse or visit the Family Learning Center on the first floor.

Laundry Facilities

A washer and dryer are located on the second floor of Comer Children's Hospital and are available 24 hours every day free of charge to families. Limited laundry supplies are also available free of charge. Ask your nurse for further details.

Maps

• Directions to Comer Children's Hospital and DCAM
• Interior maps of Comer Children's Hospital
• Expressway map (PDF)
• Parking map (PDF)
• University of Chicago medical campus map (PDF)
• Other maps of the campus, neighborhood, and city

Parking

It is highly recommended that you valet park. Simply leave your care with the attendant in the front of Comer Children's Hospital. If you do not wish to valet park, ask the valet attendant to show you where you can self-park. PLEASE NOTE: Finding a parking place in the self-park garage might prove time consuming.

Parking coupon books containing 10 parking tickets can be purchased at the Parking Office in the gargae at 5840 S. Maryland Avenue, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m or at the Valet Cashier's Office on the far east side of the DCAM lobby. These coupons will reduce parking costs if you are returning for multiple visits.

For current parking rates or other questions about parking, please call the Parking Office at (773) 702-4381. Download visitor parking information (PDF).

Parks

Hyde Park and the surrounding areas have numerous parks and trails within walking and driving distance.

Pharmacies

• The Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM) pharmacy is located on the first floor of DCAM near the lobby area.
• Walgreen's on Lake Park Avenue at 55th Street is open 24 hours a day. The pharmacy phone number is (773) 667-1177. This pharmacy also accepts Medicaid insurance.

Post Office and Mailing Supplies

A U.S. Post Office is located just east of Comer Children's Hospital on 58th Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; phone (773) 324-1807. You may find these other mailing resources helpful:

• Mailboxes are located at the U.S. Post Office and in the lobby of Mitchell Hospital.
• Federal Express and United Parcel Service (UPS) drop boxes are located near the U.S. Post Office on 58th Street. Additional FedEx drop boxes are in the Goldblatt Lobby and on the corner of 59th Street and Maryland Avenue. Pickup times vary, but are posted on the drop boxes.
• There are many other resources in Hyde Park for your shipping needs. Please check the listing in the Family Resource Center.

Shower and Tub Room

There is a shower and tub room for families who do not have access to a shower in their child's room. Ask your child's nurse for more information.

Transportation

• The hospital offers transportation to several locations on campus as well as to downtown railway stations. Please call (773) 702-6257 for more information.
• The University of Chicago offers transportation within Hyde Park. Contact (773) 702-3988 for exact routes and schedules.
• The Chicago Transit Authority has many bus and train routes that service the hospital. Please contact 1-888-YOURCTA for routes and schedules.
• Metra rail service also has a stop near the hospital on 55th Street at Harper Avenue. Contact 1-800-356-2079 for more information.
• Cab service is available to the hospital 24 hours a day. You can find a listing of cab companies and their phone numbers in the Family Resource Center.