Community Corner
Stony Brook Children’s Has The Medical Care Your Child Needs
At Stony Brook Children's Hospital, the health services provided are just for children.
This Patch article is sponsored by Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has been providing specialized children’s health services to newborns through 21-year-olds in Suffolk County for decades. They began by offering pediatric services more than 40 years ago, became a children’s hospital just over a decade ago, and in 2019, opened a brand-new facility. They also have pediatric offices throughout the island.
Patch had the chance to chat with Carolyn Milana, MD, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, about her role in the community.
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Patch: What’s unique about Stony Brook Children’s?
Milana: Many things. But I would say two of the most important are that we are part of an academic medical center, and all of our providers are pediatric-trained. That’s what makes us different than a community hospital. We have more than 180 pediatricians and subspecialists in 30-plus specialties, along with the support staff — nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians, Child Life Specialists and others — that form the care teams that children need.
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Patch: What makes your staff special?
Milana: Our approach to care. Every staff member is specially trained to understand the needs of children and their families. We know how to communicate clearly and with compassion. We ask the right questions to ensure that the care we provide is appropriate and meets the needs of the families. And we encourage family members to be involved. And I know kids and their families will be happy to hear about our staff’s commitment to “ouchless” medicine.
Patch: What benefits are there to being part of an academic medical center?
Milana: Among the many benefits is that Stony Brook Children’s offers programs for the training of the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. We also advance children’s medicine through research and can provide families with access to life-saving clinical trials.
Patch: You mentioned “ouchless medicine.” Can you explain what that is exactly?
Milana: These are the various techniques we use to eliminate pain, including giving oral fluids instead of an IV when safe and appropriate; using special numbing cream on the child’s skin to greatly reduce pain from a needle; “bundling” all the painful tests, such as blood drawing and IV insertion, into one “stick,” and using special painkilling and sedative medications during more serious procedures.
Patch: What do your Child Life Specialists do?
Milana: These highly trained specialists work directly with children and their families throughout the hospital and emergency department. They know exactly how to help reduce fear and anxiety in kids, and, as a result, help to make it easier for our medical staff to perform successful medical procedures.
Patch: How big is the hospital?
Milana: There are 104 all-private patient rooms arranged to accommodate the needs of families. Part of each room is for the medical team, while the rest is for the patient and family, with space and features that allow them to sleep, work and spend time with each other.
Patch: What are some of the hospital’s other features?
Milana: Every aspect of our new facility has been designed to promote comfort and healing. In common areas there are age-appropriate playrooms, a teen lounge, a classroom, a fully-equipped Ronald McDonald Family Room and, soon to come, a beautiful rooftop garden. Throughout the hospital are bright colors and child-friendly décor, as well as live video feeds from the Long Island Aquarium.
Patch: Do Stony Brook Children’s Hospital pediatricians see patients in the community?
Milana: Yes. We have 12 office locations throughout Suffolk where our general pediatricians and pediatric specialists see children for well visits, vaccinations and chronic conditions. We also can perform many medical procedures in these offices. Having all these locations underscores our commitment to delivering our caliber of care in a way that’s most convenient for families.
Patch: Do you have an emergency department?
Milana: Yes, we actually have a dedicated children’s emergency department. It has its own separate entrance and waiting area, which prevents kids from being exposed to adult medical emergencies, and private treatment rooms that protect patient privacy and accommodate the child and up to two family members.
Patch: You also have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). What can you tell me about it?
Milana: We’re very proud of our NICU — the first in NY state and only one in Suffolk with all-private rooms. We’re also a Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, which makes us the only hospital in Suffolk County equipped to offer the highest level of care to babies. Babies who need our level of care are sent to us from around the region.
Patch: Why should families choose a hospital for kids only?
Milana: Kids are not small adults, which means they need medical care designed just for them. Children’s hospitals are built to provide dedicated pediatric care. In addition to having a large pediatric-trained staff who understands the physical, emotional and social needs of children, Stony Brook Children’s also provides child-sized equipment, gowns, IVs, airway management tools and other medical necessities.
Patch: What are Stony Brook Children’s plans for the future?
Milana: We’ll continue to hire new pediatric specialists and to broaden our special programs. We’re also planning to break ground soon on a freestanding Ronald McDonald House, directly across from the hospital, which will give family members of hospitalized children a place to stay overnight. And we’ll continue to do everything we can to expand our commitment even further to the families we serve on Long Island and beyond.
Learn more: stonybrookchildrens.org/justforkids