STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As they further their mission to create a dedicated Children’s Emergency Treatment Center at Staten Island University Hospital’s (SIUH) South Site, the Emergency Children’s Health Organization (ECHO) donated an additional $200,000 on top of the initial $100,000 presented last year to the hospital. The donation is part of their $500,000 total commitment to the project.

Designed to serve the fastest growing community in New York City, the new treatment center will provide a private space for the emergency rooms tiniest patients on the Island’s South Shore, removing them from the sometimes-stressful atmosphere of an active adult facility.

“It’s important to have a specialized environment when you’re caring for children,” said Nicholas Caruselle, deputy executive director, and South Site Administrator at Staten Island University Hospital. “Think of an 8-year-old who broke their arm coming into the emergency room where in the next stretcher, an adult patient is having a serious medical emergency. This project will change that.”

The $1.5 million project will include dedicated pediatric beds, a patient care station, and registration and waiting area.

“Our emergency room is the main point of entry for our patients. This access is important to our community so our patients feel comfortable and assured their children have the best care minutes from their homes, said Dr. Theodore Strange, associate chairman of medicine and South Site Administrator.

The hospital will reconfigure emergency room and waiting area space to accommodate the new center noting there will not be any disruptions to emergency care at the site while construction takes place.

South Site ER physician and south shore resident, James Kenny has a vested interest in the expansion.

“This project will enable to better care for the over 7,000 pediatric patients that walk through our doors. I take this project personally, my patients are my neighbors. This project will ensure that,” said he.

ECHO was established in 2008 for the purpose of providing financial assistance to children and their families during a time of need. ECHO is comprised of dedicated caring people whose sole purpose is to brighten a family’s path during a difficult journey.

“It is truly an amazing milestone for ECHO to further its mission into the community with the development of the ECHO Pediatric Emergency Center.  We feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful project,” said Sebastian Angelico, ECHO founder and chairman.

Pasquale Loporcaro, ECHO’s executive director added, “This project would not be possible without the dedication of ECHO’s Board of Directors, Staff, the Staten Island University Hospital Foundation and former NYC Councilman Vincent Ignizio. Together we are bringing this dream into a much needed reality.”

The hospital released the Request for Proposals for the project this week and will be applying for a Certificate of Need from the State Department of Health in the coming weeks. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.