Virtua has established the John M. Tedeschi Pediatric Institute - a $25 million initiative designed to improve the health of children in the region, the state and throughout the nation, and to elevate Virtua's pediatric program to a world-class level.
The Pediatric Institute is named for Dr. John M. Tedeschi, a well-known pediatrician who has dedicated his life to the health and well-being of children.
The Institute's goal is to keep children healthy and out of the hospital by ensuring that the highest level of wellness and preventative care is available in every community throughout New Jersey and beyond. Meeting this goal involves enhancing Virtua's comprehensive pediatric program of excellence with a robust research arm that seeks out and employs evidenced-based best practices in pediatric care.
Dr. Tedeschi will lead a philanthropic fundraising effort to generate $25 million to support the pediatric program and facility enhancements and to establish the center for research.
The John M. Tedeschi Pediatric Institute at Virtua comprises Seven Pillars of Care (download PDF):
- Acute Care:
Acute care is delivered at Virtua's hospitals in Mt. Holly and Voorhees. It includes a wide range of services from newborn care, pediatric care for children up to age 18, and support for families whose children are experiencing a serious illness.
Voorhees Hospital
- Newborn Care
- Regional Perinatal Center
- Newborn Screenings
- Level III NICU
- Pediatric Unit
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Anesthesiologists
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- Pediatricians in Hospital 24/7
- Advanced Life Support Nurses
- Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
- Child Life Program
- Navigation Service
Memorial Hospital
- Newborn Care
- Newborn screenings
- Level II Special Care Nursery
- Pediatric Unit
- Pediatricians in Hospital 24/7
- Advanced Life Support Nurses
- Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
- Navigation Service
- Pediatric Emergency Care:
Pediatric emergency care is delivered at five Virtua locations. At Virtua Memorial in Mt. Holly and at Virtua Voorhees, the Child and Adolescent Rapid Emergency Service (CARES) units deliver emergency care in specially designed areas for children.
- Voorhees (CARES)
- Mt. Holly (CARES)
- Berlin
- Camden
- Marlton
- Ambulatory Care:
Ambulatory care includes same-day surgery supported by a team of pediatric anesthesiologists. Pediatric services are also provided in the home by Home Care nurses.
- Wellness Programs:
Wellness programs for children include the FitSmart for Kids weight management program, the Center for Athletic Performance, and Kidz in Motion daycare at our fitness centers, enabling parents to work-out while their children are cared for.
- FitSmart for Kids
- Center for Athletic Performance
- Kidz in Motion
- Outpatient and Community Programs:
The outpatient and community programs are designed to ensure access to healthcare for all children and range from mental health services in programs such as CASTLE, primary care services, childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes management, car seat safety and a variety of support programs.
- Healthcare Access for All Children
- CASTLE (Mental Health Program)
- Early Intervention Program
- Camden Primary Care Access
- Immunization Programs
- Asthma Treatment
- Pediatric Obesity Treatment & Prevention
- Juvenile Diabetes
- Impact Concussion Assessment
- Smoking Cessation
- Car Seat Safety
- Patient/Family Education
- Support Groups
- Day Care Program:
Virtua's Child Development Center offers a comprehensive daycare program for the children of Virtua employees, and there's a childcare program for Fitness Center members as well.
- Virtua Child Development Center
- Center for Research:
The work of the research center will focus on identifying best practices, testing those practices for validity and applicability, and disseminating guidelines locally and nationally.
- Clinical & Applied Research
- Evidence-Based Best Practices for Pediatric Health
- Medical Education & Leadership
- Venture Endowment