Westchester County Executive Visits Blythedale

Last month, Blythedale Children's Hospital was pleased to welcome Westchester County Executive George Latimer for a tour of the state-of-the-art facility and an opportunity to meet with patients and families.

Mr. Latimer toured the Hospital with Larry Levine, Blythedale’s President & CEO, and Adam Herbst, Blythedale’s Chief Legal, Planning and Government Relations Officer. During his tour of Blythedale’s 86-bed inpatient unit, Mr. Latimer heard about the Hospital’s 91% success rate in getting kids back home to their families, despite enormous medical and social challenges.

“You put yourself in the place of the parent or relative that is dealing with a child who now has a whole life changing reality,” said Latimer. “Then, you start to realize how important these services are and how it fits into the overall set of priorities in the county.” 

Mr. Latimer also visited the Hospital’s acquired/traumatic brain injury unit and learned how Blythedale’s clinical team looks at a child’s needs holistically and integrates those needs - medical, nursing, rehabilitation, education, and psychosocial - into a comprehensive plan. 

During this visit, he also had the opportunity to speak with a parent, who shared their unique journey that led them to Blythedale.

“Blythedale provides a unique level of service that is clearly above the standard way healthcare is delivered, plus the commitment by the people that work here,” said Latimer. “It’s special and shows a wonderful connection that we are all in this together, whatever our medical need.”

The final leg of the tour concluded in the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Pediatric Long Term Care Pavilion, a unique 24-bed facility dedicated to the highly specialized needs of infants and children who require extended medical care and rehabilitation.

During his visit of the Long Term Care Pavilion, Mr. Latimer sat down with a group of children to read books about kindness and the alphabet.

“We are so grateful to the County Executive for taking time from his very busy schedule to come learn a little more about all the exciting new initiatives taking place at Blythedale,” said Blythedale President & CEO Larry Levine. “We look forward to partnering with him and the county on our shared commitment to advocating on behalf of all children.”

 

Watch some highlights of the County Executive's visit to Blythedale below: