Catholic Health Celebrates Opening of New Pediatric Family Room at Good Samaritan University Hospital

Catholic Health recently celebrated the dedication of a new Pediatric Family Room at Good Samaritan University Hospital, a thoughtfully designed space to support the comfort and well-being of families with children receiving care at the West Islip hospital.

The new space offers a welcoming environment where families can rest and recharge while remaining close to their loved ones. The space features a small dining area, a play space for children and a private shower and bathroom for parents staying at their child’s bedside, underscoring Catholic Health’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the patient and family experience by creating compassionate, supportive environments across its hospitals.

The Family Room was made possible through the generosity of the Companions in Courage Foundation, founded by NHL Hall of Famer and New York Islanders legend Pat LaFontaine, along with a meaningful gift from Marianne Dolan Weber and her family in memory of her late husband, Carmine Michael Weber.

“This new Pediatric Family Room reflects our deep commitment to caring for the whole family, not just the patient,” said Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA, president and CEO of Catholic Health. “We are incredibly grateful to the Companions in Courage Foundation and the Weber family for their generosity and vision. With their support, we are able to offer a comforting, restorative space where families can find moments of respite during what is often a very difficult time.”

Good Samaritan University Hospital is home to the only Pediatric Trauma Center on the South Shore of Long Island and provides a comprehensive continuum of specialized pediatric services. The hospital includes a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a Child Life team focused on supporting the psychosocial needs of patients and families. In addition, its free-standing Pediatric Specialty Care Center expands access to advanced, coordinated care for children across the region.