Ronald McDonald House® New York (RMH-NY) and the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) marked a major milestone in their partnership with the grand opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room on Wednesday. This new space, located just steps away from CHAM, will serve as a respite for caregivers and families of children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses, offering a comforting environment for those facing challenging times.
The Family Room at CHAM is the third of its kind in New York City, joining spaces in NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. The expansion is part of RMH-NY’s mission to extend support services to more families across all five boroughs battling pediatric cancer and other critical illnesses.
“At CHAM, we recognize that supporting a family’s needs is a vital part of a child’s treatment plan,” said Dr. Michael D. Cabana, Physician-in-Chief at CHAM and The Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “The new Ronald McDonald Family Room and its supportive programming, including massages and yoga, will be a wonderful resource and a true blessing for our CHAM families. We are immensely grateful to Ronald McDonald House New York for their generosity and kindness.”
Dr. Ruth C. Browne, president and CEO of RMH-NY, also underscored the significance of the new Family Room in the Bronx, especially as the organization celebrates its 45th anniversary. “We are proud to expand our services in the Bronx and offer support for more vulnerable families during the most challenging moments of their lives,” she said. “It is so important for families to have access to a welcoming environment where they can rest and recharge while remaining close to their children as they battle their illnesses. We look forward to partnering with the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore to provide compassionate, comprehensive care and support for pediatric patients and their families.”
The Ronald McDonald Family Room, situated in a suite across the street from CHAM, provides a variety of amenities designed to create a comfortable and restorative environment for families. The space includes state-of-the-art nap pods, a private kitchenette, a serene lounge area, and overnight accommodations for caregivers, with stays available for up to seven nights. In addition to the physical comforts, the Family Room offers emotional support through volunteer staff and programming tailored to help caregivers connect with a supportive community.
CHAM, the only pediatric-dedicated hospital in the Bronx, cares for approximately 7,000 pediatric inpatients each year, offering specialized treatment for complex conditions such as cardiac issues and cancer. Recognizing that many CHAM families face challenges outside of the hospital, such as unstable housing and food insecurity, the hospital provides an array of resources including family lounges, a resource center, and social support programs.
RMH-NY continues to address social determinants of health through its comprehensive services for families with children battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses. In addition to its main House on East 73rd Street in Manhattan, the organization works with partnering hospitals across the city to ensure patients and their families have access to critical supportive programs. These services aim to promote health equity by offering temporary housing, food and nutrition support, transportation, education, early childhood development, and social services that aid in patient recovery and well-being.
