Good Sam Opens Pediatric Emergency Department

Good Samaritan Hospital celebrated the opening of a new pediatric emergency department on Wednesday, completing a major milestone for the West Islip medical center and Catholic Health Services (CHS). 

“This is a giant step toward our goal, and that goal is to make Good Samaritan Hospital the best hospital in Suffolk County,” stated CHS President Alan D. Guerci, MD.  

The 6500-square-foot modular addition to the current emergency department at Good Sam establishes a dedicated pediatric emergency department with features specific to pediatric patients. Included in the $14 million project are 12 treatments bays, two of which are isolation rooms, as well as a spacious waiting room for pediatric patients and their families. 

“We’ve always had the highly trained and dedicated physicians, nurses and ancillary staff,” said CHS Chairman of Emergency Medicine, Chris Raio, MD. “Now we have the space that matches that level of expertise.” 

As the only pediatric emergency department on the south shore of Long Island, and American College of Surgeons-certified Level II pediatric trauma center, Good Samaritan experiences approximately 22,000 pediatric emergency department visits each year. By moving the pediatric emergency department to a separate, but adjacent location, this will not only create a distinct environment for pediatric patients, but also allow expansion of the existing space for the adult emergency department patients at Good Sam as well.  

“This is going to be so good for so many families,” said West Babylon resident Andrea Leona whose daughters Cecelia and Gabby have both received emergency care at Good Sam. “You always hope you never have to go there, but it’s such a relief to know these resources are available in our community.”   

To learn more about pediatric care and all of the services offered at CHS, please visit: https://www.chsli.org/services