 A new chapter in pediatric care was written at Monmouth Medical Center last fall, as Children's Hospital supporters and staff gathered to celebrate "The Healing Place," the result of an ambitious renovation of the Mary Stavola Children's Pavilion.
On the inpatient pediatrics unit, all rooms, bathrooms, hallways and the nurse's station were refurbished — with new ceilings, flooring, paint and wall coverings that combine to create a whimsical, bold seashore theme. This dramatic transformation was made possible through generous donations that served as the primary funding source for the project.
"All children's story books have happy endings, but today we celebrate a happy beginning," said Lucia Baratta, immediate past chair of the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. "This new pediatric inpatient unit is a 'Healing Place' for children and families, where individual life stories unfold each and every day."
She noted that in addition to the patients, the story's main characters are the pediatricians, nurses and other staff "that make The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center 'The Healing Place.'"
"Thank you Dr. Meg Fisher, chair of pediatrics and medical director of The Children's Hospital, our guiding light," Baratta told those gathered for the dedication, adding a special thank you to The Children's Hospital Board of Trustees chair Anne Estabrook for "her tireless efforts on behalf of the board."
She noted the "hard work and generosity of several individuals without whom this story may not have been told, including Phil and Tammy Murphy, Richard and Peggy Santulli, Joseph Torcivia, and Michael Bonevento, for their abundant generosity and ongoing support, and Marjorie Tedesco, for her limitless enthusiasm and creativity and devotion to children. She also pointed to organizations including the Ezra Abraham to Life Foundation, Starlight-Starbright Children's Foundation and the Kidz Kare Junior Council, which funded a host of amenities to make a hospital stay more pleasant.
"Your contributions and passion to help children and their families in their time of need is an overwhelming gift," said Baratta, who also singled out for praise the entire Pediatrics Department "for their patience while we transformed this center and their superb care of patients during the renovation" as well as the hospital's Facilities' staff.
In addition to the renovation of the inpatient pediatric unit, on the horizon for The Children's Hospital is the expansion of the Regional Newborn Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
"Today, our reputation for pediatric excellence and comprehensive care attracts families from across the region," said Frank J. Vozos, M.D., FACS, executive director of Monmouth Medical Center. "Such recognition is deeply gratifying, but with it comes responsibility, and these projects will help us to accommodate the growing demand for Monmouth's comprehensive pediatric services and to fully realize the potential of serving as a state-of-the-art Children's Hospital."
To learn more about giving opportunities in support of The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, call
732-923-6886.
CONTACT: Dennis Wilson
Director, Marketing and Public Relations
(732) 923-5005
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