'Liam's Room' Opens at Jersey Shore University Medical Center

NEPTUNE, NJ - Hackensack Meridian Health K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital introduced the public to its newly renovated 'Liam's Room,' a hospital room that feels more like home and features amenities that help pediatric palliative care patients and their families feel more comfortable during an extended stay.

Liam’s Room is a non-profit organization focused on providing a “home away from home” at hospitals for children with chronic, potentially life-limiting illnesses. It was created in memory of Liam Hayden McNamara, who passed away at 16 months from an incurable neurological condition called Lissencephaly which also is known as Miller-Dieker Syndrome.

The room is outfitted as a typical child's bedroom might be: bright colors, a video game and movie system and bookshelf. For the rest of the family - many of whom not to leave the patient's side during his or her hospitalization - a sleeper sofa, comfortable quilts and pillows, a private bathroom and beach-themed artwork are provided.

“Our organization is so thankful that K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital has embraced the concept of pediatric palliative care,” said Lisa McNamara, Liam’s mom and co-founder of Liam's Room. “There are so many families in the Jersey Shore area who have a child facing a chronic, potentially life limiting condition. Caring for that child and maintaining a functioning family unit can be a real challenge. Pediatric palliative care, as well as the special resource of “Liam’s Room,” can help in providing the comfort, coordination and a family-centered environment to make their lives a little better and feel more supported" she said in a release from the hospital.

Since Liam's death in 2007, his parents, Peter and Lisa McNamara, have promoted the importance of pediatric palliative care and have worked to make it available to other children and their families, specifically at the onset of diagnosis. In addition to the new room at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, ‘Liam’s Rooms’ are available at Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Overlook Medical Center.

“As we continue to expand our Pediatric Palliative Care Program, the addition of Liam’s Room provides a wonderful resource for the many patients and families that unfortunately have to visit the PICU frequently,” said Dr. Kenneth N. Sable, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital. “We are incredibly grateful for this gift from Liam’s Room and feel confident that Liam’s memory will live on through the warmth and comfort this environment will bring to others.”

Through donor support, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital launched a Pediatric Palliative Care Program that includes a clinical team providing services to children with serious life-limiting medical conditions, and their families. These services include comprehensive pain relief and symptom management, guidance with difficult and complex treatment options, family support, coordination of care, assistance in decision making and planning for the future, and end of life care/bereavement counseling.

To learn more about giving to the program, contact Paul Huegel, senior executive director of Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation at paul.huegel@hackensackmeridian.org or 732-751-5117, or visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/GivingHeals.

To learn more about Liam’s Room visit liamsroom.org.

Lisa McNamara, Liam's mom, cuts ribbon to newly renovated room. Photograph provided by K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital.