CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler Announces Opening of Panda Cares® Center of Hope for Patients and Families

February 17, 2023

Tyler, Texas – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler is proud to announce the opening of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope, made possible by Panda Express® associates and guests, whose generosity helps change kids’ health, and change the future.

Located in the Southside Bank Children’s Center inside the hospital, the Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing for pediatric patients by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Programs offered at the Panda Cares Center of Hope include therapeutic play, art therapy, and child life services designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive while in the hospital.

“When I learned about the Panda Cares Center of Hope being a space of play and healing in our pediatric inpatient unit, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the thousands of kids we treat,”said Peggy Eisele, administrative director, women’s and children’s services at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler. “When I heard that our child life program would also be supported by this partnership, I knew the impact would reach even further. Our program offers resources, staff trainings, comfort items, and expert consultations for the entire health system, impacting nearly every pediatric patient who comes through our doors.”

Over the last decade, local Panda Express locations have helped raise $330,000 for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System through partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.”

Panda Cares® Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express® associates and guests. Funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express benefit each store’s local community. Since 2007, Panda Express and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have partnered together to change kids’ health, change the future. To date, Panda has raised more than $120 million for hospitals affiliated with CMN Hospitals, including CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler.