Founded in 2014, Once Upon a Room grew from Hull’s own childhood experiences enduring lengthy hospital stays. After recognizing the psychological toll of clinical environments, Hull—now 25—launched the initiative to bring comfort to pediatric wards. To date, the project has redesigned 30,000 hospital rooms nationwide, providing items tailored to the specific interests and hobbies of young patients.
Josie Hull’s Non-Profit Marks 50th Hospital Partnership at CHAM
Josie Hull, who was separated as a conjoined twin at the head in 2002, has expanded her non-profit reach to the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein. On July 2, the organization reached its 50th hospital milestone, transforming pediatric recovery spaces into personalized environments for long-term patients in the Bronx.
At the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM), the integration of these personalized spaces complements the work of Child Life Specialists. These specialists manage the emotional needs of more than 7,000 children admitted annually for complex conditions, including cancer and heart failure. The transformation process begins with a questionnaire regarding a child’s preferences, allowing volunteers to curate a space that offers familiarity during recovery. According to Hilary Woodward, Director of Patient and Family Programs at CHAM, this initiative serves as a vital bridge between advanced clinical treatment and the emotional well-being of families navigating long-term stays.
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