Ryan House Debuts Teen Suites for Kids Living Longer with Life-Limiting Conditions

Ryan House, a nonprofit that provides respite and end-of-life care to children with life-limiting conditions, recently capped off its 15th anniversary year by unveiling two newly renovated teen suites. The renovations allow Ryan House to better serve children who are now surviving well into adolescence and young adulthood and were made possible through generous support from McCarthy Building Companies, which selected Ryan House as a recipient of the company’s Heart Hats™ grants, and ARC Document Solutions. 

Thanks to advances in diagnostics, disease management, and comprehensive care, many children with life-limiting conditions are now living longer than once expected. Ryan House is evolving alongside the children and families it serves, making meaningful changes to better support teens through environments designed specifically for this stage of life.

The renovation was spearheaded by McCarthy’s Specialized Solutions Group, which focuses on complex renovations and technical builds within healthcare and other specialized environments. The donation involved the renovation of two private suites specifically designed for teenagers and features superhero-themed décor provided by ARC that fully immerses them in a comic book–inspired atmosphere. The rooms also now include fully adjustable desks to accommodate different mobility needs, allowing teens to comfortably do schoolwork or creative activities. Each suite is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art gaming system and adaptive controllers, plus customizable LED lighting that can change colors based on each teen’s preferences. Additionally, bathroom updates were made to allow for enhanced comfort and accessibility. 

“This renovation speaks to how pediatric care has changed over the past decade and a half,” said Dr. Wendy Bernatavicius, medical director at Ryan House and division chief of primary, complex care and adolescent medicine at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “We’re seeing more adolescents and young adults with complex needs living vibrant lives. Improved medical care, early intervention and whole-family support have extended the lifespan of many of these teens. That means rethinking the environments where they’re cared for. These teen suites are not just rooms. They’re an affirmation of identity, belonging, and respect for each young person who calls Ryan House their home away from home.”

During their recent holiday break, Ryan House welcomed two familiar guests, brothers Mason and Jaxton, who are living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as the first teens to stay in the newly renovated suites. While they’ve stayed at Ryan House before, this visit marked the first time they experienced the upgraded rooms designed specifically with teens, like them, in mind. 

“The gift of these teen suites is the culmination of our vision for this next chapter,” said Tracy Leonard Warner, executive director of Ryan House. “This home has been serving families for more than 15 years, and like any house, it needs updates to continue meeting the needs of the people inside. Thanks to the support of our community, we’ve been able to make meaningful improvements, and these rooms are already creating moments that matter for the teens and families who stay here.”

“Ryan House plays such a positive and important role serving families with children living with life-limiting conditions, so when we learned about their need for these suite renovations, we couldn’t wait to help,” said Mitch Terrell, chairman of McCarthy’s Southwest Regional Heart Hats Committee and senior communications manager. “Our Heart Hats volunteers joined McCarthy’s Specialized Solutions Group, who brought their expertise in designing and building unique healthcare environments, to provide Ryan House’s teens and young adults a refuge that caters to their needs with a light, fun environment.”

Ryan House opened its doors in 2010 as Arizona’s only facility of its kind dedicated to children who are medically fragile and their families, offering respite care, therapeutic activities and 24/7 nursing support. As more children are living longer with complex needs, Ryan House continues to evolve, ensuring that every child, teen, and family receives the personalized, compassionate support they deserve.