Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone has been named a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS)—the highest designation a hospital can receive—for providing quality children’s surgical care.

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital is one of only two pediatric hospitals in New York State to achieve this prestigious verification, and among five in the Northeast. The ACS Children’s Surgery Verification Quality Improvement Program recognizes children’s surgical services whose quality improvement programs have measurably improved surgical standards and prevented complications, reduced costs, and saved lives.

“This has been a hospital-wide effort, and we are thrilled to receive this Level 1 distinction by the ACS,” says Jason C. Fisher, MD, director of children’s surgical services at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and director of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Ensuring that children receive the right treatment, at the right time, at the right hospital, with the right team that match the complexity of their condition is critical to ensure the best possible outcomes. Whether a child is coming to us for something as simple as a hernia repair, or as complex as a heart transplant or addressing rare birth defects, our team approaches every procedure like major surgery with a coordinated, personalized plan of care.”

On average, 3.9 million surgeries are performed for infants and children in the United States each year, and studies show there are fewer complications, increased survival rates, and shorter hospital stays when surgery is done at a center with specialized pediatric experts.

Verified children’s surgery centers must meet rigorous criteria that demonstrate a continuous process for improving care. The verification process also involves an extensive site visit by a team of ACS surveyors—experienced pediatric surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, and pediatric nurses—who review each center’s structure, process, and clinical outcomes data.

Patients and families can have confidence in Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital for any surgery knowing that it has the following:

• leadership and comprehensive care from specialty-trained surgeons for all aspects of surgical care for fetal, newborn, child, and adolescent patients
• operating rooms designated for children that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric radiologists, and a variety of pediatric-specific support services teams who provide care any time of day
• the highest level of neonatal and pediatric intensive care units
• support services and resilience programs through Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care
• training for pediatric residents, fellows, and health leaders in education and research

The commitment to quality care also includes expertly trained staff and leadership from the surgery team who regularly convene multidisciplinary committees throughout the year to review and ensure the highest quality of surgical outcomes. In addition to Dr. Fisher, the children’s surgical services leadership at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital includes Gordana Stjepanovic, MD, medical director for children’s anesthesiology; Mara Karamitopoulos, MD, associate director for quality improvement; Scott M. Rickert, MD, associate director for surgical operations; Jun Tashiro, MD, MPH, children’s surgical critical care advisor; and Bridget Toy, BSN, RN, program director for children’s surgical services.

“At Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, quality and safety remain at the core of everything we do,” says Dr. Fisher. “Receiving this distinction affirms we are on the cutting edge in providing surgical treatment to children in the safest possible environment.”

About Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital is part of NYU Langone Health, one of the nation’s leading premier academic medical centers ranked No. 1 in New York on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals.” Home to more than 400 doctors representing more than 35 specialties, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital provides pediatric inpatient care, outpatient care, procedural and surgical services, the KiDs Emergency Department, and multiple ambulatory services. Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital—34th Street is the newest children’s hospital in New York City, inspired by children, fueled by excellence, and built for the future. The team is invested in improving children’s health through clinical, translational, and basic research programs. In addition, the mission of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital is guided by unparalleled commitment to partnering with children and families, which is led by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care.

Media Inquiries

Katie Ullman
Phone: 646-483-3984
kathryn.ullman@nyulangone.org