Stony Brook Children’s Breaks Ground on Expanded Pediatric Emergency Department

Stony Brook Children's Hospital marked a major milestone on May 29, breaking ground on its expanded Pediatric Emergency Department.

The project represents a significant investment in pediatric emergency and trauma care for Suffolk County and Long Island, where demand for specialized pediatric services continues to grow.

Since opening in 2010, the Pediatric Emergency Department has experienced a steady rise in patient volume, from 19,000 visits in 2014 to more than 27,000 in 2025, with spikes approaching 29,000 during severe flu seasons. Today, the team cares for more than 25,000 children annually, underscoring the need for additional space, specialists and services.

"This expansion reflects both the extraordinary work of our pediatric emergency team and the increasing needs of the families we serve. As demand continues to rise, we are committed to providing the highest level of care in a space built specifically for children," said Carolyn Milana, MD, physician-in-chief of Stony Brook Children's Hospital and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

When completed, the facility will be more than 37,000 square feet and is designed to accommodate more than 35,000 pediatric patients each year. Plans include 20 pediatric exam rooms, two dedicated pediatric critical care bays, a specialized pediatric trauma room, a sensory room for children with special needs, improved treatment areas for faster care and better patient flow and a dedicated ambulance bay. The design continues the hospital's marine-themed aesthetic, transitioning from shore to sea to help create a calming environment for children and families.

Read the full story by Christine McGrath, with a photo gallery form the groundbreaking, at SB Matters.