HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center Opens New Pediatric Inpatient Playroom
Therapeutic area will provide a child-friendly retreat for patients undergoing treatment for severe illnesses
Dec 04, 2014
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) Elmhurst Hospital Center’s Department of Pediatrics marked the opening of a new Inpatient Pediatric Unit playroom for young patients facing severe illnesses. Renovation of the vibrantly decorated space was funded by a $5,000 grant from the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The playroom officially opened to patients on November 21, 2014.
The new playroom offers patients a vibrant, cheery, and therapeutic area filled with toys to help promote socialization and decrease feelings of isolation. The room’s walls are uniquely decorated with silhouettes of trees and kites designed by employees of EHC’s Engineering and Maintenance Division. The new playroom will also enhance existing services through EHC’s Child Life Program that are presently confined to the bedside.
“I am enormously proud of our Department of Pediatrics and our Engineering and Maintenance Division, and how hard our staff worked to make this new playroom a welcoming space for our patients,” said Chris Constantino, Senior Vice President of the Queens Health Network and HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center Executive Director. “Hospitalization is an especially difficult experience for children, so we are grateful to have this child-friendly area where kids can just relax, play, and have fun.”
“I am thankful to Starlight Children’s Foundation for their generous donation and commitment to supporting our patients. This newly renovated space will allow children to feel at ease,” said Dr. Randi Wasserman, HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center Director of Pediatrics. “It will be a safe haven for those who are away from home and under treatment.”
Local elected officials on hand for the opening included State Senator Jose Peralta and New York City Council Members Daniel Dromm and Julissa Ferreras.
“Healing requires more than just medicine and nobody understands that better than the staff at Elmhurst Hospital Center,” State Senator Peralta said. “The B7 Playroom is a wonderful addition to a community institution that I am proud to call my neighborhood hospital.”
“The new children’s playroom in Elmhurst Hospital’s pediatric unit is gorgeous,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “It will give children facing difficult times a place to play and to just be kids for a while. As a former teacher of 25 years, I can attest to the importance of play to a child’s social and educational development. I commend the dedicated Elmhurst Hospital staff and Starlight Children’s Foundation for all their hard work.”
“Elmhurst Hospital takes care of our community, so it’s good to know there are Foundations like the Starlight Children’s Foundation taking care of it”, said Council Member Ferreras. “Thank you to them for bringing a little joy to our little patients.”