Stony Brook Children’s Hospital to break ground on new 17,000-square-foot Pediatric Emergency Department

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Suffolk County’s only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center will mark a major milestone with the groundbreaking for construction of its new Pediatric Emergency Department on May 29. The expansion project is designed to address a critical and growing need for pediatric emergency care across the region and will significantly enhance access to specialized emergency and trauma services for children and families on Long Island. The current Pediatric Emergency Department, open 24/7, 365 days of the year at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, operates within a 4,200-square-foot footprint staffed by pediatric physicians trained in emergency medicine and nurse practitioners. The department currently sees approximately 25,000 patient visits annually, underscoring the urgent need for increased space and capacity. The expansion will increase the Pediatric Emergency Department to more than 17,000 square feet — more than quadrupling its current size. The new facility will feature 20 patient exam rooms, two dedicated critical care bays, expanded pediatric emergency trauma services and the capacity to accommodate more than 35,000 patient visits per year. Along with the physical expansion, the pediatric emergency care team will grow to include more physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — ensuring children receive expert care when they need it most. The project will also support the development of telemedicine connections with community hospitals, helping extend pediatric emergency expertise across the region. In addition, Stony Brook Medicine will train the next generation of pediatric emergency specialists through a new fellowship program and expand recruitment efforts for leading faculty in pediatric emergency medicine, critical care and anesthesiology. The facility’s total budget is $55 million, with $21 million generated through philanthropic support from nearly 200 donors. Site work started in fall 2025 and construction is expected to be completed in 2029.