 |
 |
At the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Caring About Children is our business. Each day, the Infirmary's expert pediatric staff, comprised of physicians, nurses, social workers and child life specialists, collaborate to ensure that children and their parents have the most positive hospital experience.
We believe that family-centered care leads to the best possible outcomes. With the goal of minimizing stress and apprehension, a child life specialist engages the child and family in play in order to understand the child's feelings and prepare hi or her for surgery.
The "Parent in the Operating Room" program, the first of its kind, was developed at the Infirmary in 1986 to allow parents to comfort their child in the operating room before surgery. During recovery, a parent is encouraged to stay overnight with his or her child. While the parent is supporting the child, the Infirmary's healthcare team is supporting the parent.
The Caring About Children healthcare team is responsible for each of the 15,000 families that the Infirmary serves each year. This collaborative practice team:
"Our son, Eric, was a very happy baby. When he was 16 months old, we went to see an ophthalmologist to have his "lazy eye" examined. We were shocked to learn that he had a retinoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the eyes.
The tumors in his right eye were large, leaving him with little center vision. There were few options for treatment, and Eric's right eye had to be removed. Not long after, we found that new tumors had begun to grow in his left eye. Our doctor was not confident that this eye could be saved.
That is when we learned of Dr. Shizuo Mukai at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. We contacted him, and we were seen immediately. Dr. Mukai was very generous with his time, and he gave us hope that there was a chance he could save Eric's remaining eye. Eric underwent proton beam irradiation therapy without delay.
The Mass. Eye and Ear staff, experts at caring for children, were amazing during the whole experience. They were absolutely wonderful in meeting Eric's and our family's needs, forever concerned about our comfort and psychological and emotional well-being.
Having finished treatment two years ago, Eric is a very active four-year-old. He is such a happy little guy--always smiling.
Dr. Mukai and the pediatric department, through their continuous quest for innovative treatment and superb care, have given our child an opportunity to live a full and active life. They have changed our lives for the better, and we will always be thankful."
- John and Yolanda Scaramuzzo
In today's uncertain healthcare environment, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary is more committed than ever to establishing a permanent source of funding for Caring About Children.
Income from the Caring About Children endowment will ensure that all children - some facing the loss of sight, hearing or voice- will always receive the very best care.
Permanent Funding (endowment) |
$1,595,950 |
|
Child Life Specialists |
$795,000 |
|
|
Pediatric Unit |
$110,000 |
|
|
Patient and Family Education |
$410,000 |
|
|
Entertainment and recreation for children |
$280,000 |
|
Immediate funding (until endowment is raised) |
$350,000 |
|
Total Need |
$1,945,000 |
Checks may be made payable to "Foundation of the MEEI, Inc." and mailed to:
If you would like to make a gift by credit card on line, please visit our secure website page at "How to Give." Please be sure to designate your gift for the Caring for Children Fund.
 | We comply with the HONcode standard for
health trustworthy information: Verify here. |
|
|
|