Pediatric patients and their families attended the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital’s 10th birthday party on Wednesday evening.
The celebration of the region’s only children’s hospital included canvas painting activities, courtesy of Lehigh Valley Art Spark. Birthday party guests also decorated lab coats that will eventually be displayed in the hospital.
At the end of the celebration, patients, families, caregivers, and staff enjoyed individually wrapped cupcakes and sang “Happy Birthday!”
Building on more than 40 years of providing pediatric care, the Children’s Hospital was founded in May 2012 and recently welcomed a new 24-bay children’s emergency room and expanded pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
“It’s an exciting time of growth and development for our program as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of our accreditation as a children’s hospital,” said Anne Baum, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital President. “We look forward to celebrating more milestones in the future.”
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics and is home to the region’s only children’s surgery and cancer centers. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) operates the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center with pediatric qualifications.
“Our caregivers and colleagues at the Children’s Hospital are passionate about providing children in our community with high quality specialized care close to home,” said J. Nathan Hagstrom, MD, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Physician in Chief. “Providing specialized pediatric care includes having dedicated spaces and resources just for kids so they feel welcome and comfortable.”
The Children’s Hospital officially turned ten on Sunday, May 22. Local high school students with the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley helped mark the occasion by decorating the sidewalk outside the Children’s Hospital with chalk art.
On May 25, local Dunkin’ locations donated $1 to area children’s hospitals, including Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, for every iced coffee sold on Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day.
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital has teamed up with the Lehigh Valley Zoo to continue the 10th birthday celebration. Every Saturday, from now until Sept. 3, the first 100 children (age 2-11) at the zoo will get a voucher for a free Dippin’ Dots.
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital is also the presenting sponsor of the Junior Experience Tent at the U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley Country Club from June 21- 26. The Junior Experience Tent is free for children and young teens attending the U.S. Senior Open. The tent will include golf related activities, arts and crafts, snacks and beverages, and other enjoyable entertainment.