Sesame Workshop Puts Children’s Health Front and Center

Newyork-Presbyterian Has Partnered With Sesame Workshop —the nonprofit behind Sesame Street—to launch a wide-reaching initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for young children. By combining joyful learning moments with expert medical guidance, the collabo-ration supports children’s physical and emotional well-being while engaging parents, caregivers, and community partners.

At the heart of the partnership is a video series titled Ask a Doctor, featuring the beloved Muppets of Sesame Street alongside NYP physicians. The videos are designed to educate and empower families on key pediatric health topics, including sleep hygiene, food allergies, and preparing for wellness vis-its. The full series is available on Sesame Street’s YouTube channel and NYP’s internal patient entertainment system.

“This collaboration allows us to combine our expertise in child development with NewYork-Presbyterian’s in healthcare,” says Jeanette Betancourt, EdD, Senior Vice President for U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop. “Together, we’re working to reach families and communities with the tools they need to build a healthier, more equitable future.”

The initiative extends beyond video content. Sesame Workshop is codeveloping bilingual educational materials with NYP’s community organizations in close partnership, which include storybooks, activity guides, and parent resources. These materials will be available in pediatric clinics, community centers, and family spaces across NYP campuses.

As part of the rollout, “Sesamatized” environments featuring colorful decor and favorite Sesame Street characters will appear in NYP hospitals, creating more welcoming spaces for children and their families.

“This partnership empowers parents and caregivers with accessible health information,” says Dr. Deepa Kumaraiah, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at NewYork-Presbyterian. “By meeting families where they are, we can support children’s health through joyful, culturally attuned experiences and help reduce disparities in the process.”

In another creative extension of the partnership, two videos celebrating all hair and, of course, fur types, featuring Elmo, Gabrielle, and friends, align with the goals of NYP’s Dalio Center for Health Justice. The videos complement the Crown Hair Care Program, which provides inclusive hair care kits to pediatric and obstetric patients with curly, coiled, or tightly textured hair.

Together, NYP and Sesame Workshop are reimagining how families access and engage with pediatric care—one song, smile, and story at a time.