Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence at Montefiore Einstein Children's Hospital

The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM) recently reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout October with various events honoring the dedication of its staff and partners. Officially opened on October 23, 2001, CHAM has become a beacon of hope for over 300,000 children in its community, making national headlines for remarkable medical feats.

Noteworthy among these accomplishments are the successful separations of conjoined twins, Carl and Clarence Aguirre in 2004, and Jadon and Anias McDonald in 2016. Each year, the skilled medical teams at CHAM provide care to approximately 7,000 patients—babies, children, and adolescents—within the hospital's walls, while over 60,000 additional children receive outpatient treatment in their Bronx and Westchester facilities. Beyond the hospital, healthcare professionals from CHAM play a vital role in addressing the needs of a quarter of the Bronx’s young population through the Montefiore School Health Program, the largest and most comprehensive school health initiative in the nation.

Dr. Michael D. Cabana, the Medical Director at CHAM, emphasizes the family-centered approach to care within their facilities. “Regardless of whether a child is being treated for asthma, managing diabetes, undergoing a bone marrow transplant, or participating in a clinical trial, every child that comes to our hospital is treated as if they are a part of our family.”

The collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House New York is a prime example of this philosophy. This nonprofit organization maintains a family room at CHAM where caregivers and families of hospitalized children can rest and find respite. Recently, CHAM also inaugurated the Montefiore Einstein Center for Children's Health, a state-of-the-art 21-bed psychiatric inpatient unit that provides support for children experiencing mental health challenges. In less than a year, over 160 children suffering from conditions such as severe depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and suicidal ideations have benefited from the care offered in this supportive environment.

On October 29, a tribute was held to honor notable organizations and individuals who have collaborated with CHAM for years, contributing to its excellence. Among those recognized were Judy Gottscho-Eichinger from the Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation, and Reil Peerbooms from Frost Valley YMCA Camp, which has worked with CHAM for over 50 years to enable children with chronic kidney diseases to experience a summer camp rich with medical assistance from CHAM professionals.

The event also acknowledged Luis Eladio Torres, the director of PS 55, a school that has been hosting a Montefiore School Health Program center since 1983, providing comprehensive medical care to its students. BronxWorks, a prestigious organization providing assistance to Bronx families within medical and social needs, and the Niño de la Caridad Foundation, created by Dr. Denise Núñez, an intensive care pediatric specialist at CHAM, were also commended for their efforts in education, mentoring, and health advocacy within the community.

Dr. Cabana articulated the impact of ongoing support: “The people and organizations that have supported the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Einstein from day one help us fulfill our mission of providing the best medical care to our patients, extending our support beyond care centers into neighborhoods, schools, and homes where children can learn, grow, and thrive.”

Statements from Elected Officials

Vanessa L. Gibson, President of the Bronx, remarked, “For a quarter-century, CHAM has been a beacon of hope for our community—a sanctuary for families seeking help during their darkest moments. We want to express our gratitude to CHAM professionals for their compassionate care delivered to our youngest residents through their daily dedication.”

New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera added, “For 25 years, we have been fortunate to have the knowledge and expertise of the best nurses, doctors, surgeons, social workers, and many other healthcare professionals integrated into our Bronx community, caring for our most vulnerable patients. Today, we celebrate the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and express our gratitude for its contribution to the health of children in our borough and beyond.”

About Montefiore Health System

The Montefiore Health System is one of New York's premier academic healthcare systems, recognized for delivering exceptional, personalized, and accountable care to approximately three million individuals across the Bronx, Westchester, and Hudson Valley communities. It comprises ten hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, alongside over two hundred outpatient care centers. The advanced clinical and translational research conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is directly applied to patient care, improving outcomes significantly. Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare system, providing coordinated and comprehensive care across its excellence centers in fields such as cancer, cardiology, vascular care, pediatrics, and transplants. For more information, visit www.montefiore.org. Follow Montefiore on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or check out our Facebook and YouTube pages for updates.