SEAFORD – Through community support for the Pegeen and Samantha Brown Pediatric Fund, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital has a friendlier, more cheerful environment for children.
An open house dedication Oct. 27 at Nanticoke hospital’s Emergency Department showcased a dedicated children’s treatment room and kids’ play area in the waiting room – and other kid-friendly efforts supported by the fund established in memory of Mrs. Brown and her daughter, both of whom passed away early in 2007.
Tom Brown, vice-president of marketing and development at Nanticoke Health Services, and his oldest daughter Anne, a University of Delaware senior, attended the event.
“It is in honor of my wife and daughter. They were fun women who loved kids and were extremely enthusiastic about life,” said Mr. Brown, noting “this whole community was so supportive of my daughter (Anne) and me, in keeping their memory alive.
“It’s often said that children are our future. What we have created here is an insurance policy to help us ensure that the care of our children going forward will always be the best that we can provide,” said Steven Rose, Nanticoke’s vice-president of Operations. "We are trying to create an environment that really is kid friendly.”
“Young people have always been important to Pegeen and I and have been very much a part of our lives. This is a fitting tribute to that,” said Mr. Brown. “Anne and I will take tremendous comfort in all of this.”
The major step in this initiative was improvements to Nanticoke’s Emergency Department. This included special equipment, furnishings, a dedicated children’s treatment room in the ER and a kids’ play area in the waiting room.
“That has been the major thrust. That is where we see the most number of young people,” Mr. Brown said. “We hope to be doing some more things down the line but this is the major part we planned initially. We will be looking for other opportunities.”
The Pegeen and Samantha Brown Pediatric Fund has provided:
a mural beach theme and underwater paintings;
privacy curtains with a beach theme;
a wagon to transport children to Radiology;
an art cart and supplies for children during to use during their stay; children can take their art work home upon discharge;
television installation in each room;
televisions in Rooms 20-21 and the Children’s Play Area are connected to an entertainment system for downloadable age appropriate DVDs;
a rocker for a family to hold child during the stay;
upgraded and safer baby scales;
interior updating of the bereavement/consultation room;
pediatric staff education and certification training;
children-friendly furniture in the Triage area;
soft furniture for the Children’s Play Area in the Emergency Room’s waiting room;
safety glass and cushioned flooring in the Children’s Play Area;
