Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH), celebrated the opening of its new pediatric ambulatory surgery center on Monday, June 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony honored several community members whose generous support enabled the hospital to build this leading-edge facility to meet the unique needs of children and their caregivers.
“Today, we celebrate the realization of a vision to provide our community’s children and their families a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center, here, in Greenwich,” said Greenwich Hospital President Diane Kelly, DNP, MBA, RN, who addressed more than 100 attendees.
“Our surgical center is a place where all nurses, doctors, surgeons, and anesthesiologists specialize in pediatric care; where child-life specialists help ease little one’s minds; and where the design and surrounding environment instill comfort,” she added.
Joining in the ribbon cutting were representatives from the lead donor family who wish to remain anonymous. Their gift paved the way for Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, to build the new pediatric surgery center, where pediatric surgeons from YNHCH will treat a range of conditions in gastroenterology, general surgery, otolaryngology, urology, and pediatric and adolescent gynecology.
In addition to thanking the lead donor family, Kelly shared her gratitude with Icy and Scott Franz, whose generosity supported the center’s child-friendly waiting room, named in honor of their son, William Sargeant Frantz, with a special recognition of Dr. James A. Brunetti.
She also thanked Kate and Jim Clark, whose generously supported the project.
“I am deeply honored to recognize and thank all these generous donors who embraced our plans, championed our vision for the future of children’s services in Greenwich, and provided the gifts to turn our dream of this center into a reality,” Kelly said.
Ribbon-cutting guests toured the new facility, located on the second floor of the hospital’s main building at 5 Perryridge Road, viewing the colorful, child-friendly waiting area enhanced by a whimsical toy closet created in memory of David Bennett Kanarek of Greenwich. The tour was followed by an early-evening reception in the hospital’s Garden Cafe and Terrace. Speakers included Cynthia Sparer, executive vice president at Yale New Haven Health and executive director of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital; Karen Santucci, MD, Greenwich Hospital chief medical officer; and Michael Caty, MD, chief of pediatric surgery, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Expansion of children’s services is an important area of growth for Greenwich Hospital. The collaboration with one of the country’s leading children’s hospitals, YNHCH, widens access to top pediatric specialists, subspecialists and hospitalists locally. Services include 24/7 pediatric emergency services; a YNHCH Pediatric Specialty Center in Greenwich that provides multidisciplinary care by expert, board-certified Yale School of Medicine pediatric specialists; a pediatric inpatient unit that offers around-the-clock care by YNHCH hospitalists; and a Level IIIB NICU.
“No other hospital in our region provides this advanced level of synchronized care for children. I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to our visionary leaders and donors who made this possible,” Kelly said.
Photo Caption: Leaders from Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital celebrate the opening of Greenwich Hospital’s new Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Greenwich Hospital is a member of Yale New Haven Health. Greenwich is a 206-bed regional medical center serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, New York. It is a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. Founded in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare industry as a leader in service and patient satisfaction excellence. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence.