Mercy Receives $50K Grant For After-Hours Pediatrics Program

Mercy Medical Center has received a $50,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation for the enhancement of after-hours pediatric services in its Express Care Center.

Express Care provides rapid thorough assessment and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, providing a more convenient, lower cost alternative to the hospital’s emergency department, particularly during evening hours when private physician offices are closed.

"A significant proportion of the patients seen in Express Care are children and this generous grant from the Long Island Community Foundation will enable us to have a pediatrician immediately available in Express Care during evening hours," said Dr. Nenad Grlic, Mercy’s Director of Emergency Medicine.

With the immediate availability of a pediatrician, parents who bring their youngsters to Express Care at Mercy will be assured that they will be seen promptly by a physician specifically trained to meet the unique needs of children, properly treated and able to return to their normal routine within the quickest time possible.

In addition to the pediatric physician staff provided by the Long Island Community Foundation grant, Mercy will be expanding and improving its Express Care facilities to make them more family friendly, including a separate "Kids Korner" pediatric waiting area decorated and furnished to accommodate children.

The expansion of pediatric Express Care services is part of Mercy’s ongoing efforts to address the needs of underserved communities, including individuals and families who may not have a personal physician.