Using a family-centered approach, the nursing staff at Blythedale embraces not only the care of the medically complex child, but of their family as well. The skills and expertise of our nurses enable them to care for infants and children with a wide range of diagnoses and complicated medical conditions.
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Jill Wegener, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer and Patient Care Services
The focus of our care is on the possibilities of each child and family for healing, for learning and for progress. We individualize the plan of care to incorporate each family's goals as we recognize that every child and parent has unique needs and strengths. Our hands-on nursing approach directly impacts our patients' physical, social and emotional health.
The majority of our patients come from acute care hospitals and intensive care units. Nursing plays a key role in assisting families with the transition to an acute rehabilitation environment. Our compassion and expertise in caring for medically complex children makes us uniquely equipped to teach parents the skills needed to return home.
Blythedale's 100% RN staff is pediatric trained in caring for medically fragile children, the majority of whom are NICU/PICU and PALS (pediatric advanced life support) trained. In addition, all nurses are trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. In addition, the department has eight board certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence nurses.
Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury
With the only dedicated post-acute pediatric brain injury unit in New York State - specifically constructed to treat children and adolescents with brain injuries - and our expertly trained clinical team, Blythedale is uniquely positioned to provide the best environment for recovery.
As technology continues to advance, children with special needs are becoming increasingly more integrated into the world around them. Blythedale's comprehensive Assistive Technology program, one of only a few such programs in New York State, is opening doors for these children.
Blythedale is the only specialty children’s hospital in New York State with the capability of providing the highest level of medical care and rehabilitation for children recovering from complex medical conditions, including childhood cancers.
Blythedale’s commitment to the highest level of medical and rehabilitative care, and ongoing integration of the newest cardiac support technologies for medically fragile children, is evident in our Cardiac Rehabilitation program.
As an expert in helping medically fragile children achieve their highest potential, Blythedale is well-suited to help transition a child with multiple complex chronic conditions from hospital to home.
Complex Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
For children recovering from multiple traumatic injuries, extensive orthopedic surgery or complex surgery, Blythedale offers a highly specialized, integrated approach to care.
Complex Wound and Burn Management
Blythedale is a center of excellence in treating children with complex burns and wounds. The goal of the complex wound rehabilitation team is to obtain maximum autonomy and functionality while maintaining the optimal integrity of the healing wound or grafts with scar control.
Blythedale is widely recognized as a leader in treating children with rare conditions, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders including muscular dystrophy and other myopathies, neuropathies, motor neuron diseases and neuromuscular junction disorders as well as complex genetic syndromes.
Pulmonary hypertension is relatively rare, occurring in only two children per one million. Despite its low occurrence, Blythedale treated 30 children with pulmonary hypertension last year.
Blythedale’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation program is widely recognized as a national center of excellence due to the Hospital’s extraordinary success weaning fragile infants and children from respiratory support machines for an improved quality of life. Our parent training programs help ensure that caregivers are both confident and competent in caring for their child.
As the only pediatric specialty hospital in New York State, Blythedale Children’s Hospital has the ability to evaluate and treat complex feeding difficulties in children with a team of pediatric specialists who work exclusively with medically fragile children.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Alex’s Journey of Healing and Hope
Last summer, 13-year-old Alex was riding his bike and was struck by a dump truck. He was rushed to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and taken to the emergency room in critical condition. Dr. Diana Haddad, Blythedale's new inpatient medical director, was an attending physician at Maria Fareri and on...
Last September, five-year-old Steffon endured a life-threatening health crisis. Born with sickle cell disease, Steffon experiences periods of extreme pain, referred to as pain crises, at least once a year, a challenging but common symptom of the complicated disease. This time, however, was different...
Blanca knows her son Jonathan is a strong fighter. Just three months into her pregnancy, Jonathan was diagnosed with aortic valve canal and trivial left and trivial right aortic valve regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, intrauterine growth restriction, short limbs, hydronephrosis, and Trisomy 21...
Visiting Blythedale is the best way to learn more about our programs and services. We are here to help you find the answers to your questions.
At Blythedale we understand the value of balancing work and family. Our employees have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful contribution to improve the lives of children.
