The Rusk Institute was the first university-based rehabilitation center to treat children with disabilities and has continued to champion Dr. Howard Rusk's belief that children with disabilities can grow up to make meaningful contributions to society. Addressed early on, disabling problems in a child may be corrected, or the child may have more opportunities to develop adaptive techniques. The goal of the Rusk staff is to meet the medical needs of these young patients and the emotional needs of both patients and their families in order to help the children grow into happy, healthy, productive adults.
Building on Rusk’s commitment to children, the Pediatric Wing in the new Rusk Institute will have a comforting and cheerful environment designed especially for children. The Wing will be state-of-the-art and enable the expansion of essential therapeutic programs that help children adapt to their disabilities and cope with daily life.
The new Rusk Pediatric Wing will include:
Playroom for group therapeutic recreation and free play
Private rooms with parent sleepover accommodations
Parent suite to accommodate family members for overnight
stays or provide a place to rest during the day
Teen room for special adolescent programs and lounging, equipped
with computer and entertainment unit
Special nursery
Classrooms for inpatients, so children can continue their
academic studies while in treatment
Specialized beds and other furniture
Child-friendly exam and treatment rooms
All new exercise, ambulation, occupational therapy, and speech
language pathology equipment
Entertainment equipment including a television/VCR for each
patient bed
For more information on how you can support the new Rusk Pediatric Wing,
please contact the Office of Development at (212) 263-5380.
