RMH-NY and Garden of Dreams Foundation on NYSE TV

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NYSE TV welcomed Jim Flanagan, Board Chairman of Ronald McDonald House New York and New York Knicks Legend and Garden of Dreams Board Member John Starks to the New York Stock Exchange to talk about the partnership between the two organizations and some of the fruits of their collaborations over the last few years including RMH-NY’s new Family Room at Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. 

Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY), in partnership with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, proudly launched two new Family Rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in the fall of 2024. These thoughtfully designed spaces provide a much-needed moment of respite for pediatric patients and their families during hospital visits.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Metropolitan Hospital—located just steps away from the pediatric units—are designed to reduce the stress of long hospital days. Families can relax in comfortable seating, enjoy snacks, access free Wi-Fi, or spend time reading, playing, and connecting in an environment that feels far from a clinical setting.

Both rooms feature custom murals, cozy nooks, and creative touches that celebrate the Knicks, Rangers, Rockettes, Radio City, and Madison Square Garden. With the support of RMH-NY staff and volunteers, these rooms transform routine hospital visits into opportunities for families to recharge and connect.

Funded by a $500,000 grant from the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the Metropolitan Family Rooms build on RMH-NY’s growing network of hospital-based spaces. These rooms reflect RMH-NY’s mission to deliver compassionate care and emotional support for children and caregivers while advancing health equity across New York City.

In 2024 alone, RMH-NY’s Family Rooms across its 16 partner hospitals recorded more than 7,400 visits, underscoring the vital role they play in meeting the social and emotional needs of families navigating pediatric illness.

The expansion into Metropolitan Hospital demonstrates RMH-NY’s commitment to addressing health disparities and social determinants of health by making holistic care accessible directly within healthcare settings. These rooms are designed for pediatric outpatients from birth through age 21 and their caregivers, ensuring that every family has access to a calm, restorative environment while staying close to their child’s side.

The Family Rooms at Metropolitan are part of RMH-NY’s broader vision to bring family-centered care into hospitals across New York City. This partnership with the Garden of Dreams Foundation reflects what is possible when organizations work together to create spaces of hope and healing.

To learn more about the Metropolitan Family Room. or to support RMH-NY’s mission, please visit rmh-newyork.org.