Made for delivering holiday cheer

At Northwell Health, we know how important the holidays are for our patients. We take pride in being able to help our patients, their families, and our employees celebrate all season long across the health system! By delivering holiday cheer, our team members help patients and employees alike get into the spirit of the season.

“The holiday events that we host here at Cohen Children’s Medical Center bring such joy to the children at our hospital,” says Danielle Young, special events and donations coordinator of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Program at CCMC, “These are just a few small ways that we can put a smile on the faces of the patients and brighten their day.”

And it’s not just children who get excited to celebrate! “Creating a holiday light show not only impacts the patients we care for, but also impacts the staff caring for this special population,” says Melissa Anne D’Agostino BSN, RN, Child and Adolescent nurse manager at South Oaks Hospital, “It brought tears to our eyes when an adult patient told us she was so happy to see the light show as she was recently admitted and away from her child for the holiday. Another little boy was using the fake snow to make snow angels and walked around with the snow on his face, telling staff he was Santa. It was an amazing event for all!”

Check out a quick recap and pictures from just some of the amazing events Northwell hosted this holiday season!

Cohen Children’s Medical Center

• Macy’s Santa Visit with AFLAC – December 5^th
  Macy’s Santa comes with AFLAC and visits with the children, delivering the gift of AFLAC toy ducks.
• North Shore High School Holiday Performance – December 21^st
  North Shore High School comes and does holiday songs in the atrium for patients and families.
• Violin performance – December 6^th
  A group violin performance in the atrium for patients and families.
• SISCO Santa Event – December 14^th
  CCCM turns an office into the North Pole and kids can skype with Santa to let them know what they want for Christmas. Santa also has gifts for each room.

South Oaks Hospital

• Holiday Campus Tree Lighting – December 3rd
  Holiday campus tree lighting for employees and their families.
  
• Winter Wonderland Light Show – December 19th
  The courtyard is decorated with lights and blow up decorations for the holidays. Holiday music is played and there is even a snow machine (that both the kids and adults love!) to create snow while patients are served hot cocoa and cookies.

Lenox Hill Hospital

• Annual Employee Children’s Holiday Party – December 14th
  Lenox Hill employess are invited to bring their children to this festive event, which features face painting, kiddie rides, seasonal treats and decorations and, of course, a chance to meet Santa Claus.
• Annual NICU Reunion Holiday Party – December 14th
  Each holiday season, children who spend time in the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) are invited to come back to LHH and to spend time with the doctors and nurses as well as other patients who were here during the time they were.

North Shore University Hospital

• Holiday Parade Around 4 Cohen 
  4 Cohen hosted a Holiday Parade where in collaboration with PT and OT, patients and family paraded around the unit to holiday music
• Winter Wonderland Event
  The NSUH Winter Wonderland is a multi-session, appreciation event for employees and their children led by NSUH Administration, Human Resources and Engineering Department. The Engineering Department uses their incredible talent and skill to transform the entire Rust Auditorium into an amazing winter-themed display, complete with lighted trees, animated figurines, giant inflatables and fake snow for employees and their families to view the display, take their picture with Santa Claus and enjoy traditional winter treats. Additionally, fun entertainers include therapy dogs, Frosty the Snowman and face painters.
• Acapella Music
  College students (including a NSUH volunteer) from local Acappella groups come in and sing to help deliver holiday cheer to the patients.
• Visit from the Brotherhood from Temple Beth El
  For the past 46 years the Brotherhood from Temple Beth El in Great Neck has been coming in to spread cheer at North Shore University Hospital. About 45 members come in and are divided into 3 groups. 2 groups go up on the units and sing for patients, visitors and employees. They are equipped with guitars, bells and tambourines. The other group works with our Rabbi to create 800-1,000 Bikkur Cholim Boxes which are handed out to Jewish patients by volunteers every Friday.
• Holiday Gifts from the Auxiliary of North Shore University Hospital
  The Auxiliary of North Shore University Hospital pays for holiday gifts to be handed out to every patient in house. The gift is a picture frame which is wrapped in ribbon and has a card attached. It is hand delivered by members of our Auxiliary and also other North Shore University Hospital Volunteers.