Construction of New Medical Pavilion at Cohen Children’s Medical Center Nears Completion

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, one of the largest providers of health services in the New York area, is pushing forward on a number of projects to revitalize and expand services through the development of several expansions including a new Women’s health pavilion. The hospital is also nearing completion of an expansion to its pediatric services at Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

According to the American Society of Healthcare Engineering, North Shore-LIJ isn’t the only medical center expanding; a recent survey reports more than 26 percent of those major medical systems polled had hospital development projects currently under construction.

The growth isn’t limited to the east coast; the University of California San Diego Health System is pushing forward on what is considered the largest construction project in history with a $663.8 million building measuring a total of 509,000-square-feet inside of a 10-story complex. The expansion doubles the size of the medical center once completed in 2016.

North Shore-LIJ is expanding in a number of areas. The hospital, now in the second year of a five year capital plan that is approaching $2.5 billion, is nearing the completion of the Katz Women’s Hospital Pavilion – a 48,000-square-foot unit scheduled to open in January of 2012.

In addition, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center has nearly finished a new expansion of its pediatric division with a 130,000-square-foot expansion estimated at $121.5 million. This expansion will include construction of a new emergency department, an upgraded ICU and new suites for pediatric surgery, including specialty procedures such as pediatric laparoscopic surgery. There will also be 25 additional patient rooms with sleeping accommodations for patients when extended stays are necessary.

Dr. Arthur A. Klein, Executive Director and Chief of Staff at Cohen Children’s Medical Center noted “In troubled economic times some may ask why this glorious pavilion? The answer to me is simple – we cannot afford for the sake of our communities, our children and our professionals that our services and the venue in which they are provided are anything less than world class and a reflection of best regional and national standards. We want this building to be a go-to place where other pediatric leaders come to see how program, technology, art and exquisite care for children come together in an extraordinary way.”

About the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York:
For the fifth consecutive year, US News & World Report has ranked the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York as among the nation’s best children’s hospitals. Cohen Children’s Medical Center, under the parent umbrella of North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, is the preeminent children’s hospital on Long Island and is the largest provider of pediatric services in the state of New York, including pediatric surgery. Established nearly 30 years ago, the pediatric hospital has evolved continually to keep pace with a growing population. The vision of Cohen Children’s Medical Center is to become a national leader, recognized for providing outstanding family-centered, quality-focused and academically-based care while conducting research committed to finding cures and innovative treatments for childhood diseases. For more information, visit www.northshorelij.com/ccmcny/home.

About North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation:
The North Shore-LIJ Health System Foundation’s mission is to serve the best interest of the community at-large and the Health System. North Shore-LIJ works to attain that goal by providing the inspiration, opportunity and meaningful direction for donors, patients and leaders to link their vision, dreams and philanthropic support with our most worthy causes – from the under-served and uninsured to the latest frontiers in medical technology and research. For more information, visit www.northshorelij.com.