New Hersh Children’s Center at Overlook

Overlook Medical Center recently marked the completion of its Hersh Children’s Center, which centralizes the pediatric emergency and inpatient services in one space.

“We are honored to at last be able to provide our young patients and their families with the highest quality of care in a space designed specifically for them,” said Stephanie Schwartz, president of Overlook Medical Center, who described the center as “one that truly compliments the experienced care team and advanced technology that serve our patients.”

The nearly-12,000square-foot center joins the Meri and Sol Barer Inpatient Pediatric Center (formerly housed on Overlook’s sixth floor) and the Michael Gordon Reeves Pediatric Emergency Department for what hospital officials described as better coordinated care of patients ages 0-21.

For patients who require a stay, the new inpatient unit offers sleep accommodations for parents, family lounges and a play area with skylights and windows.

In addition, the new center includes nine inpatient rooms, including two isolation rooms and Liam’s Room for patients with serious chronic conditions or life-limiting illnesses; eight emergency department rooms staffed by pediatric emergency physicians, pediatric subspecialists and pediatric nurses; one flexible room for emergency department patients or inpatients; in-room accommodations for parents to stay overnight with their children; and numerous structural and design elements to enhance safety, comfort and security for patients and families.

The center is funded in part by a $2 million grant from the Dorothy B. Hersh Foundation. Established in 1979 to fulfill the wishes of the late Ms. Hersh, the foundation provides grants for

capital expenditures benefiting the needs of hundreds of thousands of children throughout New Jersey. “The children’s center is a project near and dear to our hearts,” said Harriet Donnelly, Hersh Foundation administrator. A $2.5 million pledge from the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation funded the relocation of the Michael Gordon Reeves Pediatric Emergency Department, as well as additional adult emergency patient rooms. The Hersh Children’s Center is the latest phase of a plan to transform the hospital, which includes new Celebrating the opening of the Hersh Children’s Center at Overlook were, from left, Clelia Biamonti, Executive Director, Overlook Foundation; Kerry Mowry; Brian Gragnolati, CEO, Atlantic Health System; Stephanie Schwartz, President, Overlook Medical Center; Chip and Harriet Donnelly, Hersh Foundation; Sean Donnelly, Hersh Foundation; Walter Rosenfeld, MD, Chair of Pediatrics, Atlantic Health System; and Joanna Wright, Executive Director, Pediatrics, Atlantic Health System. structures, redesigned spaces and additional upgrades. Prior to the children’s center, Overlook opened its new employee parking garage, as well as the new Bouras Emergency Department entrance. Expanded wings on Overlook’s 7th and 8th floors were completed and opened in 2020, with the new 7th floor wing, 7 East, temporarily used as a dedicated COVID treatment unit. In the midst of the pandemic, hospital construction officials implemented another innovation – re-engineering ventilation systems, giving the facility the ability to utilize outdoor air for full circulation throughout the Hersh Children’s Center and Bouras Emergency Department. These and additional phases of the enhancement plan are funded through generous donations to the Overlook Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the hospital.

SEARCH LAUNCHES FOR NEW CURATOR AT ARTS CENTER

Mary Birmingham will step down as curator at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit efffective March 5, to pursue work as an independent curator. A search has begun for her replacement.

“I am honored to have served as VACNJ’s first staff curator, and I am grateful for the trust that Executive Director Melanie Cohn and the Board of Trustees placed in me in directing the Art Center’s curatorial program,” said Birmingham. “Their encouragement and support enabled me to present a variety of artists and artworks, showcasing some of the best and most compelling art of our time. I have always placed artists at the center of my practice -- they inspire everything I do as a curator of contemporary art.”

Since being hired as VACNJ’s first staff curator in 2010, Ms. Birmingham has directed an ambitious program of contemporary art exhibitions and related events. She began her career as a cataloguer at the Whitney Museum and, after taking time off to raise three children, was a curatorial assistant at the Montclair Art Museum and the director of exhibitions at the Hunterdon Art Museum. She is the author of Dynamic Impulse: The Drawings of Stuart Davis and numerous exhibition catalogues.

“I am grateful to have collaborated with so many amazing artists whose work has enriched and even improved our world. It has been my honor to share their work with our audiences through exhibitions that created new contexts for meaningful conversations about art,” Birmingham reflected. “I treasure all these experiences and relationships and take them with me as I move on to the next stage of my career.”

For more than 85 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been dedicated to viewing, making and learning about contemporary art. The Studio School, acclaimed exhibitions and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youths, families, seniors and people with special needs every year.

The center is at 68 Elm St., and gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday 11 to 4. Call 908-273-9121 or visit artcenternj.org for details.