The future of the bear, designed by artist Robert Shure, came into question as closures at the hospital loomed.
The future of the bear, designed by artist Robert Shure, came into question as closures at the hospital loomed.
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The future of the bear, designed by artist Robert Shure, came into question as closures at the hospital loomed.
Boston’s biggest teddy bear is here to stay at Tufts Medical Center amidst recent changes at the hospital.
Many may know the 12-foot, 3-ton, bronze bear, as a staple of Tufts Children's Hospital, which has welcomed visitors and patients for more than 18 years.
The future of the bear, designed by artist Robert Shure, came into question as closures at the hospital loomed.
In January, Tufts Children's Hospital, a historic hospital for children in Boston that has been around for more than 125 years, announced that is converting its pediatric inpatient beds to much-needed adult ICU and medical/surgical beds. The hospital said that the bear will remain at the medical center.
The landmark that had already been orphaned once, has roots in Massachusetts, where it welcomed shoppers to the FAO Schwarz toy store on Boylston Street. It lost its home when the store closed.
Following the closure, a competition took place to decide where the bear would call home. Patients and community leaders launched a successful campaign in 2004 to convince former Boston Mayor Tom Menino that it belonged at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts-New England Medical Center. The name of the hospital was changed to Tufts Children's Hospital in 2020.
"To get the bear is huge for the hospital," one local at the time said. "And it's a huge boost for the kids because they know it from FAO Schwarz. When they go to the hospital we can say, 'You're going to get to see the bear again,' as opposed to 'You're going into the hospital, and you're going to have an IV, and you're going to have all the stuff that isn't so pleasant.'"
"For all the children who are sick, you know, they want to see something," a 10-year-old child said at the time. "Like to see the bear, makes us feel more happy."
Inpatient pediatric services are transitioning to Boston Children's Hospital effective Friday, but most outpatient pediatric services will remain on-site.
Tufts Children's Hospital converting pediatric beds to adult ICU, medical/surgical beds
Tufts's 40-bed, Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will remain in operation. Tufts will also continue its pediatric primary care services, including the Pediatric and Adolescent Asian Clinic, an important resource for Chinatown residents. The Center for Children with Special Needs and New England Pediatric Care, a long-term care facility for children, will also remain.
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