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Babe’s Place at Friendship Inn opened its doors for the second time this October. Their goal is to provide a warm, welcoming environment for patients receiving care at The University of Kansas Health System. The original four-bedroom house closed in 2024 after 23 years due to growing demands. COVID-19 showed a lot of the cracks, including not being ADA compliant, only having one bathroom, and no room to isolate, so it was time to give the Inn a revival. 

While the search began for a modern haven, Frank Thompson, a supporter of Friendship Inn, wanted to make sure a Hospitality House worked with The University of Kansas Health System. “It’s like the ultimate love letter to his wife, who passed away in 2020,” said Jeanne Hansey, incoming board president. Evangeline Thompson, whose nickname was Babe, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease but spent her life giving back to others. Frank wanted to honor her and give families a place of comfort while going through a tough time. 

In leaving this legacy for his wife, Frank pushed the board members to expand their thinking. “It was going to be seven bedrooms, significantly less money, and he really challenged us to think bigger and to know that the rooms will be needed,” said Jeanne. This was a $6.2 million project and Jeanne did most of the fundraising. 

Friendship Inn opened in mid-October, and has already checked in 31 families for an average stay of seven to eight days. In total, there are 18 rooms. The process of staying at the Inn begins with a referral. It can be written on the website or on The University of Kansas Health System’s website. After that, Executive Director Emily Gretzinger, processes through them. She validates the requests by checking to make sure care is given by Kansas Health System, the dates coincide with treatment, and then confirms details. The process from referral to fully booked takes about 24 hours. 

The Inn is less than a mile from the main hospital and has multiple room options. Each room has a mini fridge, a closet, chairs, and a television. There are suite rooms with pullout beds that sleep four adults, standard suites that sleep two, pack and plays, and rollaways available upon request. There is also one room, the KU suite for extended stays, that has its own kitchen. In addition to rooms, there is a full kitchen, a living room space, and a washer and dryer in the common areas. 

Babe’s Place doesn’t feel like a hotel or hospital. It’s clean and bright with artwork scattered around the walls. There are homages to Frank’s car dealership and Babe’s collection of dolls. The back porch has colorful flowers with chairs and is a great place to enjoy some coffee. The space allows for as much seclusion or socialization as guests want. It currently costs $75 a night for a room, but Emily; and the board’s end goal is to make families stay free of cost with an option to donate. “As the spouse of a patient who has undergone a stem cell transplant for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), I can personally express how deeply grateful we are for this new lodging facility,” says Angelia Gulick, a guest at Friendship Inn. “My husband’s medical appointments are frequent, often daily, and having a safe, comfortable, and affordable place to stay nearby has eased an enormous burden during an already challenging time.” 

Emily is one of two people on the team, and she wears a lot of hats. She does the administrative duties, runs the social media, talks to donors, sifts through referrals, and mingles with guests. “I come in in the mornings, open up the blinds, and start a pot of coffee,” said Emily. “I came in this morning and there was a family sitting and making breakfast in their pajamas. I got to talk with them, and they had a little seven-year-old boy with them who was running around. He helped me load the refrigerator and did those types of things so his parents could sit there and eat.” 

Kathy Bradley, the innkeeper at the previous home, recounted one of her favorite memories at her going away party. “A family was grieving the imminent loss of a child, and they were trying to decide if they were going to donate their child’s organs or not. They met another family at the Inn, who was there because their loved one had just been called to receive their transplant,” said Jeanne. “So, one family’s loved one’s life was being saved by organ donation, and because of that interaction, the other family decided to donate their loved one’s organs.” 

Emily said it is mind-blowing to see how quickly a community can be built for having only been open for such a short time. The mission has stayed the same through both houses, and the impact has as well. Although this new home away from home honors Babe, the board takes their work very seriously, as Jeanne noted, “No one wants to disappoint Frank.” 

Featured in the December 20, 2026 issue of The Independent
By: Olivia Mahl