HOLIDAY VISIT DELIGHTS CHILDREN AT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

The sweet sounds of holiday music provided by the Ridgefield Park High School Choir and Band filled the Hekemian Auditorium at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), to the amusement of more than 150 children and staff from the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Child Care and Learning Center at The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC. The center provides child care for working parents from the medical center and the community-at-large.

“This lovely tradition is a real joy to our children, who spend the morning dancing and clapping along to these very accomplished students from Ridgefield Park, and the appearance of Santa (aka Sean Kiley of Ridgefield Park, 18) and one of his elves (aka Elizabeth Abreu of Ridgefield Park, 17) at the program’s conclusion is always greeted with glee,” said Renee Brady, of Wayne, administrative director of Pediatric Ambulatory Specialty Services at the children’s hospital. Mrs. Brady is an alumni of the Ridgefield Park High School herself and takes a special pleasure in seeing the youngsters perform.

“We are proud of the students for using their musical talents to entertain the young children,” shared Paul Simeone, of Glen Rock, choir director, and Frank Elmo, of Parsippany, band director of Ridgefield Park High School. More than 45 members of the choir and band came from a group of more than 280.

“I have loved to sing since I can remember, and to see the reaction of the kids brings warmth to my heart, and always makes my day,” said Anastasia Harris, of Little Ferry, 17, a student and choir member.

HUMC is a full-voting member in the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the non-profit association that speaks on behalf of children's health needs and their caregivers. NACHRI is the foremost organization in the nation for children's hospitals. New York magazine ranked HUMC as a Best Hospital for Pediatrics, as well as being one of the Top 10 Overall Best Hospitals. In fact, HUMC is the only New Jersey hospital to receive a ranking on the Overall Best Hospitals list.

The Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, a 300,000-square-foot building, is home to The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, The Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, and The Mark Messier Skyway for Tomorrows Children.

Back