NEPTUNE – K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is proud to announce a $700,000 donation from Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron of Brielle, in conjunction with the Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF), in support of the pediatric expansion project.
The Citrons, co-founders and board members of the Charles Lafitte Foundation, created the organization eight years ago to support nonprofits providing children’s advocacy and medical research. Since that time, CLF has changed many lives through the generosity of its founders who are also known for the telecommunications company, Vonage, headed by Jeffrey Citron.
“Giving back to our community, in particular to organizations which protect and serve children, is a core value of our family and aligns perfectly with the mission of the Charles Lafitte Foundation,” Jeffrey Citron said. “We are very impressed with the mission of the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and are excited to partner with an organization that is focused on bettering the health of children in this region.”
In recognition of the generous gift, the 30-bed acute-care inpatient unit, which includes a teen lounge, playroom for young patients and a family lounge for children and their families, will honor Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron in conjunction with the Charles Lafitte Foundation.
Since 2007, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital has experienced tremendous growth in the demand for pediatric services. The $5 million pediatric expansion project will enable the hospital to continue providing the most advanced health services for the area’s sickest children close to home.
The expansion includes the addition of 14 private rooms for the pediatric unit for a total of 44 beds, an expansion of the pediatric intensive care unit, and a new location for the pediatric outpatient program with offices for more than 100 subspecialists.
“This expansion will give our outstanding caregivers advanced facilities they need to serve sick and critically injured children in our region,” said John K. Lloyd, president of Meridian Health. “Thanks to Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron and their generous stewardship of the Charles Lafitte Foundation, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital will continue to grow and offer the most comprehensive care for area families.”