Jamaica Hospital shares love of reading
Teams up with Resorts World New York City leaders to tell stories with pediatric patients
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
Resorts World Casino presents the Jamaica Hospital Pediatrics team with a $3,000 donation for the activity centers along the walls
welcoming children. Photos: Carlotta Mohamed/TIMESLEDGER
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
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.”
TIMESLEDGER,30 APR. 19-25, 2019 QNS.COM
/QNS.COM
