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A $50 million gift from Alexandra and Steven Cohen will significantly expand and enhance emergency pediatric care at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, located at 165th Street and Broadway in Washington Heights. To be built in a brand-new facility, the Alexandra and Steven Cohen Pediatric Emergency Department will offer world-class emergency care to all children, including those from some of the poorest and most underserved areas of New York City. The gift is being made through the Steven A. and Alexandra M. Cohen Foundation, Inc.

Scheduled to be completed in two to three years, the 25,000 square foot facility will more than quadruple the Department's current space, creating a family-friendly environment with the latest technology to best care for young patients.

"In the last ten years, we have experienced a sharp increase in the number of pediatric emergency visits. This vitally important gift will help us meet this growing demand, transforming pediatric emergency care in our community. Our Hospital is open day and night to help children in crisis, providing help when it's needed most. We are deeply grateful to Alexandra and Steven Cohen for their vision and generosity," says Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

"I'm proud to know Steve and Alex, who have shown themselves to be tremendous friends to both the Hospital and the community," adds John Mack, chairman of the Board of Trustees of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital currently receives approximately 50,000 pediatric emergency visits a year, and is the only pediatric emergency department serving the communities of Inwood and Washington Heights. In addition, the Hospital's Emergency Department is one of only three Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers in New York State.

"Following the model of the new Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, which opened its doors in 2003, the Alexandra and Steven Cohen Pediatric Emergency Department will provide the highest quality pediatric care afforded by an academic medical center, meeting the special needs of children and their families in a safe, trusting and nurturing environment," says Cynthia Sparer, executive director of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian.

Mrs. Cohen, who was born at Babies & Children's Hospital (now known as Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian), said, "Steve and I are pleased to have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for children and their families in the community in which I was raised."

In 2006, the Cohen family gave $5 million to establish the Alexandra and Steven and Cohen Chief of Pediatric Cardiology. The position is currently held by Dr. William Hellenbrand. That year, they also chaired the Hospital's annual Gala benefiting the specialty. Mr. Cohen is founder and chief executive officer of SAC Capital Advisors in Stamford, Connecticut.

Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian

Ranked by U.S.News & World Report as one of the top ten children's hospitals in the country, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian offers the best available care in every area of pediatrics—including the most complex neonatal and critical care, and all areas of pediatric subspecialties—in a family-friendly and technologically advanced setting. Building a reputation for more than a century as one of the nation's premier children's hospitals, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian is affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is New York City's only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children and the largest provider of children's health services in the tri-state area with a long-standing commitment to its community. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian is also a major international referral center, meeting the special needs of children from infancy through adolescence worldwide.