A simulated home nursery for discharge education of medically complex children
From left to right: Elena Herskowitz, Director of Individual Giving & Family Philanthropy, CSH Foundation; Adriana Senatore, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, NPD Practitioner, Director of The Center forProfessional Development, Innovation and Research, CSH; Michelle Donnelly, BSN, RN, CPN, Patient and Family Educator, CSH; Matthew B. McDonald III, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, CSH; Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, APN, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, CSH; Carla Cangemi, MD; Colin O’Reilly, DO, FAAP, FACOP, FCCM, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CSH; Geri Ann Swenarton, Vice President and Site Financial Officer, CSH; Charles Chianese, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CSH; Patricia Foley, Assistant Vice President of Access, Regulatory & Risk, AVP.
New Brunswick, NJ (May 20, 2024) – Last week, Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH), a part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, unveiled Rocco’s Room within its New Brunswick inpatient hospital. The room, which resembles a nursery, will serve as an individualized learning space for caregivers to ensure they’re prepared to care for their medically complex child after discharge.
“Because of its home-like environment, away from the hustle, bustle, and alarms of the bedside, this safe haven offers an opportunity to focus and prepare for the next stage of their journey,” said Matthew McDonald III, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital. “Additionally, the calm and serene setting will allow our education team to better connect and understand concerns or hurdles these families are facing to ensure a safe discharge home.”
Rocco’s Room was generously donated by The Baby Rocco Foundation and the Cangemi family. Dr. Carla Cangemi, who previously served as the Medical Director of the Infant Toddler Program at CSH, lost her two year old son, Rocco, in 2017 due to a traumatic brain injury. Instead of framing his short but beautiful life by this tragedy, Dr. Cangemi and her family hope to carry on Rocco’s legacy of love and kindness by transforming the lives of sick children and providing comfort and healing to grieving families.
“It brings me such comfort to know parents can enter this beautiful room and get the education and confidence needed to bring their child home,” shared Dr. Cangemi. “Most don’t have access to a space like this and I know Rocco’s light will shine down on it.”
Additional donations for Rocco’s Room were provided by Charlie Hesse Interiors of Bay Head who donated the chairs and Madeline Durso, Art by MKD, who painted the mural – both of which helped to bring the vision to life.
To learn more about The Baby Rocco Foundation, visit babyroccofoundation.com.
About Children’s Specialized Hospital
Children’s Specialized Hospital, a part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges – from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. At 15 different New Jersey locations, our pediatric specialists partner with families to make our many innovative therapies and medical treatments more personalized and effective so each child can reach their full potential.
About Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation
When you give to Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) Foundation, 100% of your donation supports the programs and services of CSH that are transforming the lives of children with special healthcare needs. The CSH Foundation receives philanthropic support from those who share our mission and commitment to ensuring that all children with special healthcare needs receive the life-changing care they need to reach their full potential. To help or learn more, visit give2csh.org.
About The Baby Rocco Foundation
The Baby Rocco Foundation’s leading mission is to carry on Rocco’s legacy by helping pediatric patients and families who are suffering from any form of brain injury. Every dollar raised will go to easing the financial burden and providing support for parents whose children are hospitalized and receiving care in an acute care facility or rehabilitation facility and will also assist with the transition to ongoing outpatient care. To help or learn more, visit babyroccofoundation.com.
Media Contact:
Megan Granozio
732-443-7068
mgranozio@childrens-specialized.org