Visitor Resources
Need directions, parking details, or visitation guidelines? We want to make accessing our facility as easy as possible.
Directions and Parking
WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital is located on the WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital campus at 1 Medical Center Drive in Morgantown, West Virginia. Patient/Vistor lots D and E are the closest parking locations for the Children’s Hospital.
All patient, visitor, and staff parking is impacted by WVU home football games. During these events all patients and visitors to the Children’s Hospital are required to park in the area located directly behind the Children’s Hospital known as “Lot 80” and indicated on the game day parking map in purple. Patients and visitors will be shuttled to and from the main entrance to Children’s Hospital before, during, and after the event while their parking is impacted.
For more information, call Security at 304-598-4444.
WVU Medicine App
Looking for a status update on a family member or friend being seen in the Emergency Department, or having a surgical procedure? Want a text alert when it’s time for your appointment? The WVU Medicine app can do all that – and more. Learn more.
Visitation Guidelines
Parents or guardians are welcome to stay in the hospital with their child 24 hours a day, although there may be room for only one parent to sleep. While in the hospital, you are required to wear a photo ID badge, which is issued at the Welcome Desk in the main lobby. You must show identification, such as a driver’s license, to receive an ID. Brothers, sisters, friends, and relatives outside of the immediate family may visit every day based under the current visitation guidelines.
As of Monday, December 23, due to an increase in respiratory illness, WVU Medicine Children’s is now following new visitation guidelines that will help prevent the spread of the flu and RSV.
Only two visitors are allowed at one time for each patient.
Visitors under the age of 16, including family, are not permitted to visit at this time, except for end-of-life circumstances.
This does not apply to the Birthing Center and clinic appointments.
Regardless of your age, please do not visit the hospital if you are not feeling well or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, or other signs of illness.
Do not bring anyone who has evidence of current or recent infection or exposure to contagious diseases to visit.
We ask that families do not arrange entertainers or special guests to visit children at this time.
Please make sure visitors are considerate of other patients and staff, especially in regard to noise. Parents are responsible for their own children during visiting hours.
If you are visiting a patient in the ICU, please note that space for personal items is limited.
Food, fresh or dried flowers, and plants are not allowed in patient rooms on certain units, such as the ICUs. Silk flowers, pictures, and cards are welcome. Latex balloons are not allowed anywhere in the hospital. Deliveries of latex balloons to the hospital will not be accepted. Mylar balloons for patients are welcome
Visitation guidelines are subject to change at any time. Consult with staff or call the Welcome Center at 304-554-8505 to obtain current visitation policies. Individual floors may have additional rules, so please check with your child’s nurse.
Masking policy for employees, patients, visitors
WVU Medicine has updated its masking policy for employees, patients, and visitors, effective Monday, April 3, 2023, in advance of the expiration of the federal public health emergency on May 11.
The changes are being made as COVID-19, RSV, and flu are all declining in the region and coincides with the end of the respiratory illness season, which is typically October-March.
Masking is still required when interacting with patients with COVID or under investigation for COVID. However, masking is no longer required for asymptomatic healthcare providers (HCP), patients, and visitors in inpatient or outpatient settings except in:
- Behavioral health settings (local facilities can continue to require masking based on local needs and conditions but do not have to do so)
- Long-term care settings
If viral activity increases later, WVU Medicine will re-evaluate its position and decide if changes are necessary. Infection rates and the prevalence of the virus in the community will continue to guide decisions about masking. Individual facilities within the WVU Health System will monitor for increased viral activity and can choose to re-institute masking if their facilities experience an uptick in activity.
We also encourage employees, patients, and visitors who want to wear a mask to do so.
Connecting with patients by mail
Patients may receive letters, cards, and gifts through the mail. Mail should be addressed to:
Child’s full name
Floor number, unit
1 Medical Center Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506
Amenities
WVU Medicine Children’s hopes to make your visit as comfortable as possible. For your convenience, we offer a variety of amenities on campus for patients, family members, and visitors:
Welcome Center and Ambassadors
The Welcome Center is located in the lobby of the hospital and can be reached by calling 304-554-8505. Ambassadors are available 24 hours a day for assistance. We encourage you to reach out to one of them for services, such as directions, general information, and any other questions you may have during your visit.
Wireless internet access (Friends Connect)
Free wireless access is available throughout the hospital via FriendsConnect, provided by Friends of WVU Hospitals. Wi-Fi hotspots include a content filter with a blocking profile that prevents access to offensive and illegal websites. If you have trouble with your internet connection, please call the WVU Medicine Help Desk at 304-598-4357. This number is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Children’s Cafe, Starbucks®, and The Market
The Children’s Cafe, located on the main level, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Starbucks® is located in the front lobby of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. The Market at HSC, a food court, is located in the back of the Health Sciences Center and can be accessed by exiting the back of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on the fourth floor.
- For security purposes, visitors should access J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital by exiting through the main entrance of the Children’s Hospital and following the sidewalk to the Heart & Vascular Institute entrance or the Ruby Memorial main entrance.
The Hostetler Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (FRC) can help you find information and resources you need to understand your child’s medical condition and take part in their care. It’s also a place to take a break or find complimentary refreshments. All patients, families, and professionals are welcome to visit.
The FRC is located on floor 10 and is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekend and after-hours use is determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact the information desk if after hours service is needed.
What you’ll find in the Family Resource Center:
- Laundry services
- Refreshments – drinks, snacks, and meals (at specific days/times)
- Information on illnesses, treatments, child development, parenting, and sibling issues
- Hospital and community resources, including family-to-family support
- Computers to email family and friends and access the Internet
- Books, games, videos, and video games
Banking services
ATMs are located on the main level near the main entrance.
Spiritual support and the Interfaith Chapel
A full range of spiritual care support services are available for patients and their family members, regardless of faith group or belief. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chaplains can also help by contacting faith leaders in the community for patients and family members. If you or a family member wishes to access spiritual services, contact a member of your healthcare team or ambassador. In addition, the Interfaith Chapel is located on the main level near the Welcome Center. The space is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more.
Gift shop
The gift shop is located on the main level near the front entrance and offers small gifts, clothing, refreshments, and toys. All proceeds go back to Children’s Hospital for the comfort and care of our patients. Visit the online shop.
E-cards
E-cards can be sent to family members and friends who are hospitalized at WVU Medicine Children’s. Visit the e-cards website to select a card and make a submission. E-cards are printed and delivered Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm. In the event the person you are sending a card to has been discharged or has chosen to be unpublished in our hospital directory, you will be notified by email that we are unable to deliver the card. WVU Medicine Volunteer Services provides this service free of charge.
The Little Mountaineer Pharmacy (outpatient pharmacy)
The Little Mountaineer Pharmacy, located on the main floor near the Welcome Center, is a full-service pharmacy available for all your outpatient prescription needs. The pharmacy provides prescription services and accepts most insurance prescription plans. The pharmacy also carries a selection of over-the-counter medications and supplies. Contact the pharmacy at 304-554-8503