The Children’s Medical Fund of New York continued their commitment and support of the Cohen Children’s Medical Center with a $10 million donation dedicated to the purchase of two state-of-the-art MRI machines and a space-themed designed room at the Children’s Medical Fund Center for Diagnostic Studies at the New Hyde Park-based hospital.
The center, which is located on the fourth floor of the hospital’s new 120,000-square-foot pavilion is expected to treat more than 4,500 children annually. T
he MRI center is the only program on this floor as well as a room for minor procedures with dedicated elevator access from the lobby entrance of the new pavilion.
The addition of the MRI machines will help support pediatric programs in Neurology,
Neurosurgery, Oncology, Cardiology, and Orthopedics. Young patients will no longer need to use the adult MRI services at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center and now have easy access to imagery in a more child friendly environment
“An MRI can be a very scary experience for a child, especially when using a very intimidating machine made for adults, said David Blumenfeld, chairman, Children’s Medical Fund. That’s why we created a special center designed exclusively for children.”
Blumenfeld added, “We are so proud to have reached our $10 million goal to outfit the Children’s Medical Fund Center for Pediatric Diagnostic Studies at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.”
Children are able to pick the color of the room and choose which videos to be projected onto the walls while the MRI is taking place. There are special MRI goggles that allow children to watch movies during the examination.
The positive distractions are helpful to pediatric specialists so they can quickly gain access to images of the brain, the heart, the skeletal system and virtually all other vital organs. Using a space exploration motif on the walls and ceilings, the interior design helps alleviate a child’s fear by adding an element of fun and imagination and reduces the need for sedation during the procedure.
In addition, CMFNY provides toys before the procedure so the children feel as comfortable as possible as well as resources for parents, such as a welcoming waiting room.
