Karen M. Symington Appointed to Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees

Karen M. Symington, owner and real estate agent at Re/MAX Real Estate LTD, with offices in Brick and Lavallette, has been appointed to serve on the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.

“My goal for my tenure with the Foundation Board is to make our communities aware of the skilled services available for our children through Children's Specialized Hospital and educate them on the importance of their financial help through donations and fundraising events,” said Symington.

Re/MAX is a partner of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which supports 170 children’s hospitals in North America each year.  In New Jersey, Children’s Specialized Hospital is the beneficiary of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Symington’s real estate company hosts an annual golf tournament and a dinner dance as part of their efforts. In 2010 the golf outing raised $14,500 which helped support the renovations of the hospital’s new Toms River location. 

Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation raised $6.8 million in 2011, to support the pediatric rehabilitation programs and services of the hospital. The majority of gifts were designated for special projects like the opening of new outpatient centers inToms River and Clifton expanding the hospital’s ability to improve access to care for clients across the state. Unlike acute care hospitals, Children’s Specialized does not receive government funding to care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Last year, over $1 million was raised by the Foundation to provide care for children whose rehabilitation was not covered by insurance. The Foundation is ranked among the top six pediatric hospital foundations in the nation.

Prior to her career in real estate, Symington was a registered nurse, coordinating homecare needs for patients upon their discharge from local hospitals.  Symington has two grown daughters, two grandsons, and lives in Brick, NJ.

Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of rehabilitation services for children with special needs. The hospital serves children affected by brain injury, spinal cord injury, premature birth, autism, developmental delays, and life-changing illnesses. Children’sSpecialized Hospital has eight sites in New Jersey and treats 18,000 children each year, making it the largest pediatric rehabilitation system of its kind in the nation. Services include outpatient services, acute rehabilitation, and long-term care through its sites in Bayonne, Clifton, Mountainside, Toms River, Fanwood, Hamilton, New Brunswick and Roselle Park as well as outreach programs in many communities. 

Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation supports the programs and services of the hospital. The Foundation is ranked among the top six pediatric hospital foundations in the country. To help, or find more information, visit www.childrens-specialized.org.