A recent trip to the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City sparked the desire in former Massapequa resident Lisa Martin to create an organization that would transform children's health care facilities into child-friendly environments.

"The day after I visited the museum, I happened to be at Schneider Children's Hospital," Martin explained. "I couldn't help thinking how dismal and institutional the hospital was, and how scary it must be for a child to come into a place like this."

Martin was inspired by the myriad of minds-on and hands-on exhibits she saw previously at the museum. "I remember thinking why can't the hospital have beautiful things on the walls to look at, and interactive things to take the kids' minds off their worries and relieve a little of the burden for the parents?"

The non-practicing attorney and mother of three said that it was there at the hospital that she found her calling in life. "I am very fortunate that I don't have to work, that my children are wonderful and healthy. I was looking for something meaningful to do with my time, something to really make a difference."

That something is the Discover the Smile Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Martin and Michael Epstein, of Sands Point, that strives to create a welcoming, engaging environment that diverts the child's and family's thoughts by providing interactive activities that allay the emotional uncertainty surrounding a hospital visit.

"In a remarkably short time I was able to put together a group of about 30 families, many from Massapequa, who are committed to this project," said Martin, who is also president of Discover the Smile. Her parents, who have lived in Massapequa for more than 35 years, and her brother, who is currently raising his family there, are all actively involved in the organization.

Discover the Smile's first major project is for Schneider Children's Hospital, part of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, in New Hyde Park. It is the only hospital built specially for pediatric health care in the Long Island/New York metropolitan area.

The theme of the new look being developed for the hospital will remain true to the hospital's current focus on art, Martin explained. The hospital already displays a child-oriented original collection by Andy Warhol, as well as a 20-foot high colorful Keith Haring sculpture and a Niki de St. Phalle sculpture on its grounds. The Schneider family donated all of this artwork. "We plan to design and procure additional child-oriented artwork, as well as a host of exciting and interesting museum-quality interactive exhibits to further the hospital's philosophy that art helps the healing process," said Mara Silverstein, co-chair, along with the interior designer Talya Tawfik of the Design and Procurement Committee of Discover the Smile.

The Long Island Children's Museum has provided Discover with guidance and an array of informational resources to assist in its endeavors. According to Bonnie Dixon, executive director of the museum, "the physical, emotional and social well-being of children and their families is at the core of our institutions. I applaud and offer encouragement to the Foundation for their efforts to make the hospital experience a positive one."

The kick-off event, which took place Jan. 23 at Martin and Epstein's Sands Point home, was attended by more than 70 well-wishers, including the organization's members, trustees, volunteers and donors. In addition, several key hospital personnel spoke at the event and expressed their enthusiasm for the project, including Dr. Philip Lanzkowsky, MD, executive director of Schneider Children's Hospital, and Ralph Nappi, president of the South Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Foundation.

"It is important to the North-Shore Long Island Jewish Health System that the tradition of community support be continued with the next generation. The efforts of this group will impact the emotional well-being of every young patient (and their family) that receives care at Schneider Children's Hospital," Dr. Lanzkowski said.

"We are excited about making this change at Schneider Children's Hospital. It is already a wonderful institution for physical healing and it is obvious that, by embracing this project in such an overwhelming way, the hospital is also committed to the mental and emotional well-being of its patients and their families," said Stephanie Grossman, director and business manager of the foundation.