Stony Brook Children’s Breaks Ground on Expanded Pediatric Emergency Department

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital marked a major milestone on Friday, May 29, breaking ground on its expanded Pediatric Emergency Department. The project represents a significant investment in pediatric emergency and trauma care for Suffolk County and Long Island, where demand for specialized pediatric services continues to grow.

Since opening in 2010, the Pediatric Emergency Department has experienced a steady rise in patient volume, from 19,000 visits in 2014 to more than 27,000 in 2025, with spikes approaching 29,000 during severe flu seasons. Today, the team cares for more than 25,000 children annually, underscoring the need for additional space, specialists and services.

“This expansion reflects both the extraordinary work of our pediatric emergency team and the increasing needs of the families we serve. As demand continues to rise, we are committed to providing the highest level of care in a space built specifically for children,” said Carolyn Milana, MD, physician‑in‑chief of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

When completed, the facility will be more than 37,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate more than 35,000 pediatric patients each year. Plans include 20 pediatric exam rooms, two dedicated pediatric critical care bays, a specialized pediatric trauma room, a sensory room for children with special needs, improved treatment areas for faster care and better patient flow and a dedicated ambulance bay. The design continues the hospital’s marine‑themed aesthetic, transitioning from shore to sea to help create a calming environment for children and families.

“Every element of this expansion was designed with intention: to improve safety, enhance coordination and create a more supportive experience for children and families. It represents our continued commitment to delivering exceptional pediatric care and to strengthening the healthcare foundation our region depends on,” said Carol Gomes, CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital and COO of Stony Brook Medicine. 

As the space takes shape, the pediatric emergency care team will expand to meet growing needs. The effort also supports telemedicine connections with community hospitals and the launch of a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellowship, which welcomed its first fellow this year.

“Investing in pediatric readiness is essential, and the evidence shows that when emergency departments are designed and staffed specifically for children, outcomes improve. As Suffolk County’s only academic medical center, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to advance that standard,” said William Wertheim, MD, executive vice president of Stony Brook Medicine. “This expansion strengthens the infrastructure needed to deliver specialized care, support innovative research and train the next generation of pediatric emergency experts — all in a space built to meet the unique needs of our youngest patients.” 

The facility’s total budget is $55 million, with $21 million generated through philanthropic support from nearly 200 donors.

“This milestone is a testament to what we can accomplish together. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our team, we are creating a space designed to deliver expert, compassionate care to every child who needs us,” said Milana. “Their partnership is helping us care for more children, support more families and strengthen pediatric emergency medicine for generations to come.” 

Danielle Knapp-SanGiovanni, MSW ’20, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Advancement Council member, spoke as part of the groundbreaking event. “For four generations, our family has believed in the mission of Stony Brook Children’s, but we are far from alone. This expansion reflects the commitment of many donors who understand how vital pediatric emergency care is to families across Long Island. When a child is suddenly ill or injured, having expert care close to home can change everything. Supporting this effort is our way of helping build a stronger, more prepared community for the future.”

In response to the growing number of children seeking urgent and emergency care, site work began in fall 2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2029. The project will enhance the ability to provide timely, specialized treatment in a state-of-the-art environment designed specifically for pediatric patients and their families.

“In an emergency, nothing prepares you for the fear of not knowing whether your child will be okay,” said Cynthia Wong Lippe, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Advancement Council member. “What we found at Stony Brook Children’s was not just medical skill, but kindness — people who spoke gently to our daughter, who reassured us, who made sure we understood every step. This expansion ensures more families will experience that same level of care and compassion during the moments that matter most.”

As Suffolk County’s only children’s hospital and the region’s only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Stony Brook Children’s provides the highest level of pediatric emergency and specialty care. With approximately 320,000 children under the age of 18 living in Suffolk County, the expanded Pediatric Emergency Department will strengthen access to high-quality emergency care for families across Long Island for decades to come, while supporting collaboration and advanced medical training across the region.

-Christine McGrath

Click through the gallery below for more photos from the event.