Neptune, NJ – K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is proud to announce a $250,000 donation from iPlay America, a premier indoor theme park located in Freehold, NJ. The gift will help fund the Child Life Program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, which is focused on supporting the emotional well-being of young patients and their families during a hospital stay.
“iPlay America is proud to offer a unique destination for fun and entertainment for thousands of families in the area every year,” said Robert McDaid, CEO of iPlay America. “This gift is one way to share the joy of fun and play with children who are hospital bound, and it’s a way to give back to our greater community. We see this as the beginning of a long relationship with the Child Life program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, supporting the good work they do.”
Led by trained pediatric experts, the Child Life Program offers numerous activities throughout the day to help normalize the hospital experience, create a fun and positive environment, alleviate the stress associated with illness, and ultimately allows kids to be kids. Whether it’s bedside, in the playrooms or in the teen lounge, special activities include art therapy, pet therapy, music therapy, and “medical play” to communicate detailed medical information to children in an age appropriate manner.
“The impact of this gift is truly immeasurable and will touch nearly every child that enters our hospital,” shares Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “We cannot thank iPlay America enough for their support and trust in us to utilize these funds to deliver the greatest care we can for our littlest patients.”
With this meaningful donation, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital will make upgrades to the hospital’s playrooms, enhance the music therapy program, and expand Child Life services to the pediatric emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit. To learn more about how you can support Child Life at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, contact Paul Huegel, senior executive director, Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation at 732-751-5117 or visit www.MeridianHealth.com/GIVE.
About Jersey Shore University Medical Center: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health family, is a not-for-profit teaching hospital and home to K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital – the first children’s hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Jersey Shore is the regional provider of cardiac surgery, a program which has been ranked among the best in the Northeast, and is home to the only trauma center and stroke rescue center in the region. Through the hospital’s clinical research program, and its affiliation with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Jersey Shore serves as an academic center dedicated to advancing medical knowledge, training future physicians and providing the community with access to promising medical breakthroughs. For more information about Jersey Shore University Medical Center call 1-800-DOCTORS, or visit www.JerseyShoreUniversityMedicalCenter.com.