Disney teams up with Florida hospital

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The Florida Children's Hospital and Disney are teaming up to create a pediatric medical facility they call the "children's hospital of the future."

Plans for the new facility were announced Wednesday as the hospital accepted a $10 million contribution from Disney.

Although Disney has long supported children's hospitals throughout the world, Florida Children's Hospital will be the first hospital to bear the Disney name.

The official name will be announced at a later date.

"This contribution is part of our ongoing commitment to making dreams come true for the children of Central Florida," Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement. "Even during uncertain times, children want and need to play, to exercise their imaginations, and to dream."

Construction on the seven-story, 200-bed facility is expected to be completed in 2010.

"This partnership with Disney is blending our two areas of expertise: the healing hands of Florida Children's Hospital and the imagination and creativity of Disney," said Marla Silliman, administrator of Florida Children's Hospital. "By bringing them together, we are creating an environment in which even the sickest children can experience joy and happiness while they are in the hospital."