HSS announces opening of new Lerner Children's Pavilion

The new Pavilion within the #1 hospital for orthopedics in the country affirms HSS' longstanding commitment to championing children and caring for their musculoskeletal conditions.

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the number one hospital for orthopedics in the country, today announced the opening of the Alfred and Norma Lerner Children's Pavilion, a "hospital within a hospital" that provides one-stop care for children with musculoskeletal conditions. With specialists, medical labs and rehabilitation all in one place, the Pavilion focuses entirely on pediatric orthopedics and rheumatology - specialty areas for which HSS is consistently ranked as top in the nation. Pediatric patients begin moving into the new space on Oct. 26.

"Major strides have been made in pediatric orthopedic medicine over the past several decades, and our team has been at the forefront of providing life changing treatments," said Roger Widmann, M.D., chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at HSS. "The new Pavilion will allow our team to do what we do the best with more efficiency and in a more family-centric way. At HSS we strongly believe that, when it comes to fast-growing bones, there's no time to lose. Early diagnosis and the right care for a child are of utmost importance for long-term health and mobility."

Children and their families come from across the country and around the world to seek care from the pediatrics team at HSS. The hospital's extraordinary reputation attracts more and more pediatric patients each year. In 2011, specialists treated about 20,000 pediatric patients and performed more than 2,600 pediatric surgeries. The Pavilion meets the increasing needs of young patients and provides a family-centered experience for patients and their families.

The Pavilion reaffirms HSS' commitment to improving the lives of children, a legacy it began in 1863. The hospital was founded for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with disabilities and today treats young patients with numerous musculoskeletal disorders. While many aspects of HSS have changed since it first began caring for children, this core ideal has not: getting the right care the first time is vital. Whether it is a broken arm from falling off a swing, an ACL injury from sliding into home plate, osteogenesis imperfecta, or severe scoliosis, it is important for children to heal right the first time and every time, so they do not develop chronic mobility or pain issues as they grow.

"The new Lerner Children's Pavilion is the culmination of a long-held vision our pediatric department has shared for some time," said Leon Root, M.D., chief emeritus of Pediatric Orthopedics at HSS. "This significant addition allows our world class pediatric specialists, from orthopedic surgeons to rheumatologists to pediatricians and pain management experts, to care for the growing number of children and their families who come to HSS in a warm and welcoming environment."

The Pavilion is designed to help families prepare and support their children while in the hospital's care. The space has more than 31,000 square feet dedicated exclusively to pediatric musculoskeletal medicine and includes the following: 10 new private patient rooms designed and furnished specifically for pediatric musculoskeletal patients and their families; a dedicated nursing station with a direct view of every patient room; outpatient facilities; an expanded pediatric imaging suite; orthopedically safe play areas for all, including siblings; a specialized, child-friendly pediatric gym; colorful exam and treatment rooms; and a nature-influenced design throughout, including special flooring made of recycled glass and LED lighting that gives the effect of flowing "rivers" of light for easy-to-follow navigation. The Lerner Family's gift to HSS helps to meet the growing needs of care to the pediatric community including specialty services all being housed in one dedicated area for children.

Norma Lerner said, "Our family's longstanding relationship with the hospital, in particular with the pediatric service, speaks to our commitment to improving the health and welfare of children with musculoskeletal needs."

HSS understands that having a child undergo medical procedures or hospitalization can be difficult for the child's family as well. Each staff member personally understands the anxiety and concern parents face because of the team's pediatric experience, volume of procedures, research and discoveries. The pediatric specialists are experts in treating a range of conditions, including limb deformity, spine disorders and scoliosis, fractures, pediatric sports injuries, cerebral palsy, juvenile arthritis, and lupus.

The renovation follows the creation of the 7,000-square-foot CA Technologies Rehabilitation Center for children, which opened in the same building last fall.

Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery, said, "The Lerner Children's Pavilion underscores our commitment to treating the musculoskeletal needs of children in a setting conducive to healing. As a result of the extraordinary generosity of the Lerner family, our highly specialized pediatric team will be able to provide its comprehensive care in our new 'hospital within a hospital' designed and dedicated to children."