MIDDLETOWN – Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) joined Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall, Garnet Health, St. Anthony Community Hospital, and Bon Secours Community Hospital to announce a grant incentive program to move Orange County hospitals toward certified pediatric readiness. Senator Skoufis facilitated funding toward pediatric-ready projects at Garnet, St. Anthony’s, and Bon Secours ($125,000 each). For Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall, Senator Skoufis secured $63,000 and Assemblyman Jacobson contributed $62,000 in funding toward pediatric readiness certification.
New York State pediatric readiness standards – the Always Ready for Children Pediatric Recognition Program – is a collaborative project for emergency departments (EDs) committed to improving their pediatric care. To be Pediatric Ready indicates participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Project, achievement on the readiness assessment, and the identification of a pediatric emergency care coordinator for the ED.
Thousands of children are treated in EDs across New York, many in community hospitals that see fewer than ten children per day. Outcomes for children are dependent on the availability of resources and infrastructure. High levels of pediatric readiness are linked to a 76% and 60% decrease in mortality risk for critically ill and injured children, respectively.
“Pediatric ready emergency departments save lives,” said Senator Skoufis. “Orange County boasts some of the best medical professionals in the state, and I’m glad the Assemblyman and I have been able to assist these facilities in providing the best possible care for kids seeking emergency treatment. Hospital staff and administration are frontline workers, and their willingness to engage with this program to ensure EDs have the infrastructure to treat sick and injured kids demonstrates how committed they are to keeping our communities safe.”
“The emergency department at Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital plays an outsized role in medical care for children in the Newburgh area,” said Assemblymember Jacobson. “Due to the cutbacks from the Federal government, this funding is especially needed at this time. I am proud to join Senator Skoufis in this funding for the Emergency Department so that the hospital will have state-of-the-art treatment available for children.”
“At Garnet Health Medical Center, achieving pediatric readiness certification reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every child who comes through our doors receives safe, high-quality care. This program represents an important step forward in strengthening pediatric services across New York State, helping to ensure families have access to the care they need, close to home,” stated Jonathan Schiller, Garnet Health President & CEO. “We are grateful for the Senator’s leadership in advancing this meaningful initiative.”
“Pediatric readiness is essential because children require specialized care—they are not just small adults,” said Dr. Pickens, Regional Executive Director, Western Region, WMC Health. “We thank Senator Skoufis for this critical investment, which ensures our community hospitals have the training, equipment, and protocols needed to deliver high-quality care close to home.”
“On behalf of Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall, we thank Senator Skoufis and Assemblyman Jacobson for their leadership and commitment to our community’s health,” said Daniel Maughan, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall President and CEO.
“This investment will improve outcomes for our most vulnerable pediatric patients,” said Gina Del Savio, MD, CPE, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.
