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TIMESLEDGER, APRIL 21, 2019 TIMESLEDGER.COM
‘Drop Everything and Read Day’ at Jamaica Hospital
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Resorts World Casino
executives joined the
Jamaica Hospital Medical
Center Pediatric team on
Friday dedicating their
time to read books to
children in observance
of National Drop
Everything and Read Day
(D.E.A.R. Day).
“Resorts World
Casino New York City
is proud to support
education programs
that provide critical
resources to children in
our community,” said
Scott Molina, president
of Resorts World Casino.
“Drop Everything and
Read Day shines a spotlight
on the importance of
reading and we are excited
to put down our work
for a day, pick up some
great books and share the
experience with these
inspirational children.”
Joe DeVito, director
of Player Development
at Resorts, and May Uri
vice president of Human
Resources, dropped their
busy schedules on April
12 visiting children on
the hospital’s Pediatrics
Unit — located at 8900
Van Wyck Expwy. — with
a variety of books for
story time.
National Drop
Everything and Read Day
is an observance devoted
to events and activities
that encourage the love of
reading among children.
It was first introduced in
Beverly Cleary’s book,
“Ramona Quimby, Age 8.”
The commemorative date
of April 12 was chosen
in honor of the beloved
children’s books author.
According to Dr.
Marge Lilienthal,
director of Nursing for
Women and Children’s
Services, reading to young
children is important in
their development.
“When parents read to
their kids it forms a better
relationship, it stimulates
the child cognitive or
brain development and
it sets them up for a
lifelong love of reading,”
said Lilienthal. “If we do
this every day for half
an hour, it’s something
children and parents
can count on. It’s fun and
bonding and creates a
lifelong memory.”
Bruce J. Flanz, president
of Jamaica Hospital, said
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their pediatric team aims
to create an environment
that makes children
feel at home.
“A Child Life Specialist
is on staff to ensure a
positive experience by
facilitating recreational
and educational activities.
She provides emotional,
developmental and social
support, during a time
when children may
feel anxious or afraid,”
said Flanz.
In addition to reading
stories on D.E.A.R.
Day, executives from
Resorts World toured
the hospital’s Pediatric
Unit and Emergency
Department adorned with
playful artwork and newly
installed wall mounted,
pediatric activity centers
donated from the casino.
The activity centers are
designed to help develop
children’s motor and
sensory systems.
“When a child comes
in, right from the start
they’re welcomed with
being able to play with
different things on the
wall,” said Michelle
Stoddart, director of
Public Relations and
Community Development
at Resorts. “It’s all of their
height and Resorts was
able to pick that bill up
for the hospital making
sure kids have everything
that they need to make
their stay here a little
less traumatic.”
Jamaica Hospital Child
Life Specialist Tracey
Kunj-Ramen said, “We
are grateful for the
donation of the pediatric
activity centers. Our
team will utilize these
tools to engage children
in play and help ease
their anxieties.”
Resorts World Casino presents the Jamaica Hospital Pediatrics team with a $3,000 donation for
the activity centers along the walls welcoming children. Photo: Carlotta Mohamed/QNS
/TIMESLEDGER.COM
