TUCSON-Children and their families living in southern Arizona have another healthcare option: Tucson’s first pediatric hospital, Diamond Children's Medical Center at University Medical Center, has opened.

Located on the local campus of the University of Arizona, Diamond Children's Medical Center has been under construction for five years. Designed by San Diego, CA-based NTD Architecture and constructed by Phoenix-based Kitchell, the healthcare facility unites the pediatric resources of The University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center and University Medical Center.

Diamond Children’s, which features an entrance and lobby separate from the University Medical Center, is designed as a "family centered" pediatric medical center. It encourages the hospitalized children’s parents to be actively involved in all aspects of the child's care by accommodating families' physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.