Surrounded by over 100 Nemours Associates, Rich Fante, President, AstraZeneca, U.S., presented Nemours President David J. Bailey, MD, MBA with a ceremonial check for $1 million, announcing AstraZeneca's contribution to the expansion of Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware.
AstraZeneca U.S. President Rich Fante said, "AstraZeneca works with partners who share our commitment to improving the health of patients. Our support for Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children will enable the hospital to expand and build on their outstanding care of children in our community."
The project, which will be initiated later this year, marks the third time the Nemours duPont Hospital has expanded to meet the needs of its pediatric patients. Founded as a children's orthopedic hospital in 1940, the existing facility was built adjacent to the smaller original structure in the late 1970s, with a full array of pediatric specialties and services added during the next decade. Now, at the 70-year mark in its history, the 200-bed Hospital, has been named by Parents magazine as one of the Top 25 Children's Hospitals in the U.S.
Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who spoke at the event, commented, "This is a remarkable partnership between two important members of our community whose work has global reach - AstraZeneca and the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. AstraZeneca's wonderful gift will surely strengthen ability of this exceptional hospital to provide outstanding care in a setting that will truly meet the needs of children and families."
Dr. Bailey concluded: "This transformational gift will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children and help Nemours achieve a new level of excellence in care for children. Nemours has stated among its goals one of being recognized in the top 5 percent of children's health systems in terms of quality outcomes and family and patient satisfaction by 2015. This gift will help us reach that goal."
Animal characters can play an important role in children's psychological development