Growing Up Fast: Children's Hospital Upgrades Appeal to All Ages
long-range plans emphasize kid-focused care, subspecialties

As part of Jersey Shore University Medical Center's ongoing $300 million transformation, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital has received several upgrades. These upgrades help illustrate the hospital's commitment to providing comprehensive pediatric care for Monmouth and Ocean counties, says Steven Kairys, M.D., chair of Pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital.

"We're working to make sure the existing space accommodates the needs of children and their families, and that we're particularly responsive to our 12- to 19-year-old patients, who don't always want to be near the toddlers and babies," he says.

Upgrades include a teen lounge, three additional pediatric rooms, and a satellite nursing station. Existing rooms will have an aesthetic overhaul and upgrades for more familyfriendly features, such as flatscreen televisions provided by a generous donation from the Hope for Children Foundation. Other philanthropic support for the project has come from the Ryan Andrew Kaiser Memorial Foundation, whose gift will help facilitate the renovation of the pediatric playroom. The Children's Hospital's pediatric unit now has 31 beds dedicated to children's care, plus an additional dedicated, six-bed pediatric intensive care unit.

Immediate Plans Include Dedicated Pediatric ED
K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital is planning to open a dedicated pediatric Emergency Department (ED) next to the Jersey Shore ED in July 2009. The new space will have a separate entrance/triage area and 10 to 12 pediatric beds.

Need for the ED space has grown as more pediatric patients come to K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital. "We already receive more than 600 pediatric patient transports from other area centers each year," says Dr. Kairys. "With 80 pediatric subspecialists available and our increased focus on pediatric surgery, we expect that number to continue rising. The new ED will help us provide easier access to the expert care available in our region."

Growing Into The Future
As pediatric admission numbers grow, Saad A. Saad, M.D., FACS, FAAP, co-medical director and surgeon-in-chief at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, envisions a children's hospital equal to any in the country.

"We already have the expertise. But we're running out of space due to our rapid advancements in all subspecialties," says Dr. Saad.

While a dedicated K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital building is ideal, Dr. Saad says further investigation into community need and funding will be required. "We have had such an amazing community response throughout the expansion. We'll need to find additional people and foundations willing to support the welfare of our children as we continue to develop the highest quality services and facilities in the region," he says.

About The Doctor

Kairys, Steven, M.D. Board certified in Pediatrics Neptune, NJ  07754 (732) 776-4267

Saad, Saad A., M.D. Board certified in General Surgery Eatontown, NJ  07724 (732) 935-0407