Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone

11/07/2025

10/27/2025

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Jose L. Peiro as director of our newly established Advanced Fetal Care Center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital!

An internationally distinguished surgeon, Dr. Peiro specializes in delicate, lifesaving procedures for babies before and just after birth. As director of our new center, he’ll combine advanced fetal and neonatal care with maternal–fetal medicine to deliver seamless, family-centered care.

The Advanced Fetal Care Center brings together specialists who care for both mothers and babies before birth. Our team works across many areas—from maternal–fetal medicine and genetics to pediatric cardiology and neurosurgery—to provide coordinated care and help ensure a healthy delivery.

“From early in my training, I was captivated by the idea that we could intervene in fetal life to change a child’s future,” says Dr. Peiro. “I’m honored to join NYU Langone and work with a team dedicated to supporting families from diagnosis through delivery and beyond.”

Learn more about Dr. Peiro: https://bit.ly/3Jpd2GZ

09/26/2025

It’s NICU Awareness Month and we’re celebrating the Snuggle Squad, part of the NICU Cuddler Program at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, co-founded by Amy De Carlo, BS, RN, RNC-NIC. Trained volunteers step into comfort premature and sick babies when families can’t be there.

For parents like Francesca Young, the program was a lifeline. “It was comforting to know that someone from the Snuggle Squad would come and sing to my baby when I couldn’t be there,” she says of her daughter, Piar Young.

Through the Snuggle Squad, volunteers like Erin Hogan help babies thrive, supporting emotional and physical development, reducing stress, and even contributing to shorter NICU stays. In partnership with Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, the program strengthens NYU Langone’s commitment to create a more nurturing, family-centered NICU experience.

This NICU Awareness Month, we honor our tiniest patients, their families, and the volunteers who make every cuddle count.

Learn more about volunteering opportunities at Hassenfeld Children's Hospital: https://nyulangone.org/volunteer

09/19/2025

We had some paw-some visitors at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital this week! New York Rangers legend Adam Graves and Ranger, the aptly named therapy dog, stopped by to lift spirits and bring smiles to our patients and their families.

This special visit was made possible by Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and Ranger’s owners, Michael Rapport and Diane Salazar, both volunteers in our animal-assisted therapy program (and big Rangers fans!). Together, they all helped create memorable moments and a welcome break from everyday hospital life.

A huge thank-you to Adam, Garden of Dreams, Michael, Diane, and of course, Ranger! 🐾💙❤️

09/18/2025

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Christina J. Yang as chief of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology in the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, and lead for Pediatric Otolaryngology Services at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital!

Dr. Yang is a nationally recognized expert in caring for children with airway and swallowing problems. She treats complex conditions such as narrowing of the voice box or windpipe, and abnormal openings in the airway. Beyond caring for her patients, she is committed to making pediatric care safer, more effective, and always guided by the latest research.

“I look forward to building on Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital’s strong programs and fostering collaboration across specialties to provide the best possible care for children with complex airway and swallowing needs,” she says.

Learn more about Dr. Yang: https://bit.ly/48pvc5s

09/05/2025

PJ is back at school for a brand-new year. But with a new classroom, new friends, and new routines, he’s feeling all sorts of emotions. Thankfully, Dr. Samantha Glickman, a licensed clinical psychologist at our Child Study Center, is here to talk it through with him.

Together, Dr. Glickman and PJ—our puppet brought to life by a creative arts therapist from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care—discuss ways to beat the back-to-school jitters, what to do if reading takes a little longer, and how to handle when someone isn’t being kind.

With these tips from Dr. Glickman, PJ and other children can feel braver, happier, and ready to tackle everything the new school year brings!

08/28/2025

A good night’s sleep is key to starting the school year off right. Dr. Ayala Wegman, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Global Pediatrics, recently shared her top back-to-school bedtime tips with ABC News.

Watch the interview: https://bit.ly/4oSm1jT

Dr. Ayala Wegman, pediatrician at NYU Langone, breaks down why proper sleep matters for back-to-school routines.

08/28/2025

It’s time for PJ to go back to school! Dr. Ayala Wegman, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Global Pediatrics, is sharing some helpful tips with him so he can start the new year off strong.

Dr. Wegman walks PJ through how to reset his sleep schedule, reminds him to get his annual physical before soccer season, and explains why back-to-school shots are so important. To help ease the transition from summer vacation to the classroom, Dr. Wegman also recommends that parents help their children trade screen time for activities like puzzles, reading, and board games; keep a water bottle handy to stay hydrated; and start the day with a balanced, fiber-rich breakfast to boost focus and learning.

PJ is a familiar face to our patients here at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital. Brought to life by a creative arts therapist from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care, he’s known for bringing smiles and comfort to children during their hospital stays. But this week, he’s putting Dr. Wegman’s advice to the test as he gears up for a brand-new school year.

With these tips, PJ—and kids everywhere—can head into the school year feeling healthy, prepared, and ready to learn!

08/15/2025

Our annual Camp Week once again brought joy and fun to our patients and their families, thanks to our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care!

From therapy dog visits, kite decorating, and disco parties to castle painting, magical potion-making, and campfire singalongs, every activity brought a taste of summer camp to the hospital. Each day featured its own playful theme, with bedside kits ensuring every child could join in the fun.

Thank you to our incredible Child Life team and all who were involved in making Camp Week such a success! Check out some of the highlights ⬇️

08/05/2025

After their son James beat leukemia with care from Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, Michael and Stefani Krystalla turned their gratitude into action, launching a foundation that’s already making a meaningful difference for the hospital.

Diagnosed in December 2022, James was cared for by a dedicated team led by pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Gabriel Robbins. Certified child life specialists from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care helped make James’s experience more manageable, engaging him in fun activities like movies, video games, and his favorite: hospital bingo. These moments brought him a sense of normalcy throughout his treatments.

James completed treatment earlier this year in April and is now thriving in remission at age 9. But for Michael and Stefani, the journey sparked a new mission: The James Krystalla Foundation, which they launched to support organizations conducting research to prevent, treat, and cure serious childhood illnesses. In June, they held their first event—a charity golf tournament—where James reunited with members of his care team. The event raised nearly $500,000, and proceeds will benefit Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.

“We’re blessed to have met people that care this much about other people and children,” says Michael, who hopes the foundation’s efforts will offer comfort, resources, and hope to families receiving care through our programs.

Thank you to the Krystalla family and The James Krystalla Foundation for your support!

08/01/2025

On the "Here’s the Scoop" podcast with Yasmin Vossoughian, pediatrician Dr. Casey Berman breaks down the growing use of GLP-1 weight loss medications in teens. While these medications can help when lifestyle changes aren’t enough, Dr. Berman stresses the need for caution, close monitoring, and a full care plan.

Listen to the episode: https://bit.ly/47996nc

Here's the Scoop · Episode