Walking into MultiCare’s new Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital on MLK Jr. Way — across the street from Tacoma General Hospital — feels more akin to walking into a sophisticated children’s museum rather than the state-of-the-art medical facility.
The lobby is bright and open with Mary Bridge’s signature kites festooning the space and adding pops of bright color. There is a branded claw machine game full of miniature stuffed animals to one side and a friendly golden therapy dog named Olaf and his handler waiting to soothe and comfort young patients.
Beyond is a plush seating area leading into the hospital’s onsite cafeteria aptly named Kite Café. In addition to its bright-green signage and kid-friendly snacks, the café is intentionally designed with healthy eating and germ reduction in mind — like the eatery’s innovative salad dispenser. It also has a coffee bar brewing up a proprietary Mary Bridge blend courtesy of Sumner-based Dillanos Coffee Roasters…