The new pediatric emergency department at Albany Medical Center now has a name.
"Today, as we launch the public phase of the capital campaign for the pediatric ED, we'll be reaching out to our community to assist us in meeting our goal of raising $20 million." On Friday, Albany Med President and CEO Jim Barba announced that the new Pediatric Emergency Department has been named “The Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center.” The hospital received $5 million in donations from the Massry family.
"Let me tell you a personal story. My drive to create this very special place accelerated on a hot summer Saturday evening back in 2010 when I accompanied my then-3-year-old granddaughter Chloe to the emergency room. While, as I expected, the care that she received was top-notch, I just did not like that she, and the other children who were there that night, had to witness those things that go along with a very busy adult-centered emergency room. A place that treats everything from gunshot wounds to serious car accidents, drug overdoses and other emergencies that can be loud and stressful. And you can imagine how a 3-year-old reacts first just to being in the hospital, and then having to be in that kind of an environment. Having to make a choice between the best care, and a less frightening place, is a decision that no parent, grandparent or guardian should ever have to make," said Barba.
The hospital says there are more than 16,000 pediatric visits to Albany Med’s Emergency Department a year. The new four-story, 70,000-square foot facility will exclusively serve children and teens up to 18.
The announcement was made during the public launch of the capital campaign to support the new facility. Nearly $14.3 million has been raised toward the goal of $20 million; the total cost of the project is $50 million. The hospital put up $32 million.
The Massry family has supported numerous initiatives at Albany Med over the years. Norman Massry: "As parents, we've all experienced the minor and major medical crises with our kids, and know that this will mean a lot to many people. With three active grandsons and one more on the way, I'm hopeful we never have to visit here, but I know it will be close by."
Barba expects "The Massry Family Children's Emergency Center" to be open by July. "Historically, community response to our capital campaigns has been overwhelmingly positive, and I think the success speaks to the connection that people from all walks of life have with the medical center. With our medical center. If there were ever a project around which a community could rally, I know that this is the one. We all care for the next generations and want them to have the best health care available. We want them to have it in a place that's peaceful, child-oriented and supportive of their specific needs. Indeed, a place of their own."
According to Albany Med, features of the new Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center include:
- Triage area to immediately assess the severity of illness or injury
- Fast-track unit for children and teens with less serious conditions
- Observation unit for stays up to 23 hours
- Private rooms designed for the safety and comfort of children and parents
- On-site X-ray and imaging
- Negative pressure rooms for suspected contagious disease
- Peaceful and child-friendly décor and child-size equipment
- Games, toys and television to provide a distraction for children
- Valet parking
- Easy access for ambulances
- Nearby rooftop medical helicopter pad
Additional information about the Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center: www.amc.edu/PedsED.
