Officials To Break Ground On New $55M Emergency Department At Stony Brook Children's Hospital

STONY BROOK, NY — Ground on the construction of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital's new $55 million Pediatric Emergency Department, is expected to be broken in a special ceremony today, Friday, May 29, addressing the growing need for pediatric emergency care across the region, officials said.

While the facility’s total budget is $55 million, $21 million was generated through philanthropic support from nearly 200 donors. Site work started in fall 2025, and construction is expected to be completed in 2029.

The hospital is Suffolk County’s only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, which is the highest designation, offering the most advanced pediatric specialty care in the region. The new department will "significantly enhance access to specialized emergency and trauma services for children and families on Long Island," officials said.

The current Pediatric Emergency Department, which is open 24/7, 365 days of the year at the hospital, operates within a 14,456-gross-square-foot footprint and is staffed by pediatric physicians trained in emergency medicine, as well as nurse practitioners.

It currently sees around 25,000 patient visits annually, "underscoring the urgent need for increased space and capacity," according to officials.

The facility will be more than 37,000 square feet when completed and outfitted with 20 patient exam rooms, two dedicated critical care bays, expanded pediatric emergency trauma services, and the capacity to accommodate more than 35,000 patient visits per year.

Along with the physical expansion, the pediatric emergency care team will grow to include more physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. That will ensure children receive expert care when they need it most.

The project will also support the development of telemedicine connections with community hospitals, helping extend pediatric emergency expertise across the region. Additionally, Stony Brook Medicine will train the next generation of pediatric emergency specialists through a new fellowship program and expand recruitment efforts for leading faculty in pediatric emergency medicine, critical care, and anesthesiology.

At the groundbreaking, remarks will be made by Dr. William Wertheim, the executive vice president of Stony Brook Medicine, Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital, and Dr. Carolyn Milana, physician-in-chief of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

Cynthia Wong-Lippe and Danielle Knapp-SanGiovanni of the Stony Brook Children’s Advancement Council will also speak.