Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital has establishment the Michael & Christine Perrucci Center for Children’s Health and Wellbeing.

“This is a monumental step towards creating a healthier community and proactively meeting the needs of children and their families,” said Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lehigh Valley Health Network, at the Aug. 11 ribbon-cutting.

“We are so grateful to the Perruccis for their generous gift towards the development of this center, and we thank them for their incredible vision and generosity,” Nester said.

The center, which was established with support from Michael and Christine Perrucci, will use data and insights from community partners to improve the physical, mental and emotional health and well-being of children through community and population health interventions.

“Christine and I are honored to partner with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital on their mission to improve the health outcomes of children across our region,” said Michael Perrucci.

“With children of our own, this cause is near to our hearts and allows us to contribute to not only our community’s present, but its future as well,” Petrucci said.

The center, located at LVHN - One City Center, 707 Hamilton St., Allentown, will build on Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital’s ongoing work throughout the region to improve pediatric health outcomes.

“Over the last 10 years, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital has worked tirelessly to partner with various community partners and provide health education and interventions for children of all ages,” said J. Nathan Hagstrom, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.

“However, while we have been dedicated to improving various health outcomes and offering support to families across our community, we have not had a centralized hub of resources to coordinate our efforts, and there is much more work to be done. The Michael and Christine Perrucci Center for Children’s Health and Wellbeing will help us make a bigger impact,” Hagstrom said.

The center will employ public health experts who will measure the needs of the children in the local community and employ evidence-based practices to improve a wide range of health outcomes, including:

• Infant mortality and premature births

• Suicide attempts in adolescents

• Resiliency in high-risk children

• Adverse childhood experiences

• Child abuse and neglect

• School readiness

• School attendance in relation to health concerns

• Emergency room and hospitalization rates for medically complex children

• Childhood obesity

• Immunization rates

• Impact of chronic illnesses, such as asthma

• Impact of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression

“The center will also allow medical experts from the Children’s Hospital and community leaders to further collaborate on combating these health concerns and make measurable differences in our community,” Hagstrom said.

“We are so excited for this next step in supporting the families in our region, and we are so thankful for the Perruccis and their partnership,” said Hagstrom.