Earlier this year, Winthrop-University Hospital received the 2004 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence according to an announcement from HealthGrades, the national healthcare quality company. The distinction placed Winthrop among the top 5 percent of all acute-care hospitals in the country in terms of overall clinical excellence across a broad array of services.

Last week marked another milestone for the Mineola hospital when a dedication ceremony was held to recognize the new pediatric inpatient center, a 15,000 square foot location, and heart surgery center, a 26,000 square foot facility, ending an 18-month journey.

The two new state-of-the-art facilities are located in the North Pavilion, which received two new floors with the heart surgery center located on the fourth floor and the pediatric inpatient center located on the fifth floor.

"The opening of these two new, modern and technologically sophisticated facilities marks a new chapter in Winthrop's long history of providing the highest quality patient care," said Winthrop President and CEO Daniel P. Walsh. "These new centers of excellence will allow us to deliver, now more than ever, the best cardiac and pediatric care available anywhere on Long Island."

The project was 18 months in the making and finally came to fruition as Winthrop doctors, former patients and those who have donated funds as well as dignitaries celebrated the opening of the facilities during a ceremony on Thursday.

Walsh pointed out that 108 years ago the facility was a 19-bed community hospital. Now, it is a staple of the community and with these two centers, it continues its tradition of providing care without compromise.

"The addition of the two new, state-of-the-art centers will continue to complement the already extraordinary, compassionate care that has become the recognizable hallmark of Winthrop," Walsh said.

Also on hand for the celebration was former past chairman of the board of directors at Winthrop, Richard Newhouse. "The idea of these two new centers of excellence came into being as we carefully considered the positive impact they would have on the families in our community and throughout Long Island who have come to rely on the expertise of Winthrop'staff," he said.

With Winthrop's receiving prestigious honors this past year, especially for its cardiac services considered one of the best in the country, the addition of the two new facilities even improves upon the hospital's high standards of healthcare.

The pediatric inpatient center also bucks a trend. According to Winthrop chairman of the department of pediatrics, there has been a trend of pediatric inpatients diminishing where Winthrop is seeing a significant increase in the number of seriously ill children who are coming to the hospital.

Winthrop Vice President of External Affairs John Broder called the hospital an extraordinary gem within the Village of Mineola. The hospital has developed a reputation for providing high quality health care. According to Broder, people are making the choice to come to the hospital.

"Now, within our pediatric program, we have nearly all of the subspecialties in pediatrics that exist including, for example, the fully integrated Cancer Center for Kids. We have an extraordinary asthma program for children. There is a pulmonary program that deals with other pulmonary disorders. We have a world renowned growth disorders program," Broder said.

Winthrop has raised $7 million for its capital campaign, the goal of which is $10 million. The money will be used to offset the bonds that were borrowed to build the facilities.

Although the facilities will enable patients to receive quality care, it is the doctors and the staff of the hospital who truly deserve the credit for delivering care.

Perhaps Dr. Scott Schubach, chairman of the Winthrop Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, said it best. In delivering his speech during the ceremony, Dr. Schubach commented on his modest height. But then, he said, when glancing around the room and seeing some of his former patients, he felt 10 feet tall.