World-Class Pediatric Care, Closer to Home

Maria Fareri Children’s Healthcare Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital now provides local families with the security of a continuum of care for their children,” said Michael D. Israel, President and CEO of WMCHealth (gray suit with yellow tie) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A new care unit and emergency room make advanced pediatric care more accessible than ever before.

By Melissa F. Pheterson
As seen in the December 2020 issue of Advancing Care.

In and around Dutchess County, young patients and their families can now benefit from new, advanced pediatric services affiliated with the Hudson Valley’s only acute-care children’s hospital — Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth).

The new pediatric emergency room and inpatient care services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, in Poughkeepsie, bring the capabilities of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital to Dutchess County. “We responded to the community’s need for dedicated children’s care by developing a true extension of our world-class pediatric care,” says Michael Gewitz, MD, William Russell McCurdy Physician-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital.

Operating as Maria Fareri Children’s Healthcare Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, this expansion provides direct, immediate access to pediatric services for local children, from newborns to teenagers. Pediatricians, emergency medicine specialists, and pediatric-trained nurses with recent clinical experience at the children’s hospital in Valhalla support a “continuum of care” that begins close to home, says Dr. Gewitz, adding that “the most seriously ill or injured children in need of specialized care can be transferred seamlessly to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital when necessary.”

To help create a peaceful and calming patient experience, the services at MidHudson Regional Hospital unfold in a “neighborhood” setting that replicates the concept of the themed, age-specific spaces at the children’s hospital, such as Sailing, Literature and Athletics. At MidHudson Regional Hospital, a “Farming” theme honors the rich agriculture history of Dutchess County.

The children’s healthcare services include round-the-clock coverage by the pediatric team. Child life and caregiver services are available to support all patients, their parents and their siblings during hospitalization, with creative therapy and family engagement.

There is also a dedicated pediatric emergency room — with specialized equipment and separate bays specifically for children and families.
Among the first children admitted to Maria Fareri Children’s Healthcare Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, says Dr. Gewitz, was an infant with serious infection that needed immediate treatment. “Because she was nearby, we could initiate diagnosis and treatment immediately, and stabilize her condition, without having to transfer her by ambulance or helicopter.”

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New Emergency Pediatric Services now at Good Samaritan Hospital, too!

To enhance local access to pediatric emergency services, Good Samaritan Hospital — part of Bon Secours Charity Health System and a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, has established dedicated pediatric services in its Emergency Department (ED). Pediatric emergency medicine specialists are available onsite, to treat children from birth to age 21.

“We’re excited to provide access to exceptional pediatric services, along with the full spectrum of care across the entire life cycle,” says Kenneth Janowski, DO, Chief Medical Officer at Bon Secours Charity Health System. “Our goal is to keep more patients and families close to home, and we have the option of seamless transfer to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla for those who need it.”

The new Good Samaritan Hospital pediatric emergency services are located within the main ED. The hospital has recently launched a 30-Minute Pledge to see patients in the ED within 30 minutes of check-in. The pledge applies 24/7 to all patients, including children.

According to Dr. Janowski, “We’ve made this pledge throughout Bon Secours Charity Health System, not only to support good infection control practices, but to help enhance our patients’ experience and peace of mind.”