Some of the most meaningful design projects are the ones people would rather not see.
These spaces are not created for convenience or high visibility, but for moments of urgency when specialized healthcare matters most.
TSP brought that understanding to its work with Sanford Health on the David H. and Christine Billion Pediatric Emergency Department at the Sanford USD Medical Center Campus in Sioux Falls.
The department, which opened on Jan. 5 in a fully renovated space adjacent to the existing Emergency Department, supports pediatric emergency and trauma care for children across South Dakota and the surrounding region.
“The new pediatric emergency department is a game changer,” said TSP CEO Jared Nesje.
“It’s not one of our largest projects in terms of square footage, but it is one of the most meaningful. Its importance lies in what it delivers for our kids: better health and better care for the future.”
The department answers the growing need for pediatric emergency care in a child-centered environment.
TSP provided multidisciplinary design services for the department, which has seven exam rooms, two behavioral health exam rooms, one trauma room, two nurses’ stations, a staff break room, a staff work area, and a family triage consultation room.
The space includes design elements intentionally selected to support a calming environment.
The nurses’ station features a forest theme, and animal murals appear prominently throughout the department.
“When we first heard the vision of this project, it was clear that children can feel overwhelmed and intimidated in a traditional emergency department,” Nesje said.
“This project was about creating an environment designed for kids when they need care the most, one that helps reduce stress and makes a difficult time a little easier for families.”
Throughout the design process, Sanford nurses, physicians, child life specialists, and other team members provided input on creating a space that is warm, welcoming, and even fun.
“They understand how important it is to promote healing in an environment that feels safe for children and their families,” said Nicole Zoerink, Director of Emergency and Trauma at Sanford.
Working collaboratively, Sanford and the TSP team carefully considered input from clinicians, ensuring their voices were heard.
“The TSP team truly listened to us and turned our ideas into a space that reflects how we care for kids and families every day,” Zoerink said.
The new pediatric emergency department, South Dakota’s only accredited pediatric emergency and trauma care center, was made possible by a gift from David H. and Christine Billion.
Through this project, the TSP team saw firsthand how its commitment to making communities better by design can have a real impact.
“It was incredibly rewarding to hear from the Sanford staff about how excited they were to have a dedicated pediatric emergency department, especially with rooms designed for behavioral health,” said McKenna Shallberg, an interior designer at TSP.
“By our final walkthrough, they were already counting down the days until they officially moved in.”
