Good Samaritan Hospital West Islip, New York
(Excerpts from letter dated May 15, 2006 from Catherine Caronia, MD - Associate Chairperson Pediatrics and Joan Alpers, CCLS, LCAT - Director Child Life Program)

To quote Dr. Barry E. Goldberg, Medical Director for The Center for Pediatric Specialty Care at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, "You have changed the culture of the waiting room in our pediatric center." Parents who once looked weary, waiting with anxious pediatric patients who are antsy, nervous and bored, now enjoy looking on as the children play on the triple kalaido-draw kiosks that you helped us to purchase and install for the waiting room.

The Child Life Program and the Departments of Pediatrics, Surgery and Emergency Medicine are all most grateful for the interventions that Discover the Smile accomplishes with such simple and colorful additions to the medical environment. We have already lost count o the number of smiles that such generous gifts from your foundation have accomplished. We call it good distraction medicine.

The Child Life Program of Good Samaritan Hospital would like to join with the Department of Pediatrics, the patients, their parents and family members, in thanking you for joining with us in our combined mission to engage and support each child and family member we encounter with the spirit of creativity and play.

Ochsner for Children New Orleans, Louisiana
(Excerpts from letter dated May 24, 2006 from Jamie Napolitano, MS, CCLS - Child Life Coordinator)

Since August 29, 2005, the Greater New Orleans area has struggled to rebuild and strengthen the community to help restore the unique culture of the Southeast. Ochsner Pediatric staff has been witness to family after family that not only have to worry about the stress and anxiety associated with chronic illness, but also try to find a new, safe home.

The wounds of this storm will take a long time to heal, but the generosity we received from the Discover the Smile Foundation is a story that is close to our hearts.

When the Discover the Smile Foundation contacted us and offered to provide 4 game cube/DVD fun centers, we knew we could put them to good use. We have watched the children gain control over their environment just by simply offering choices and normalizing the environment with things that are familiar and comforting to them.

We want to send a special thanks and acknowledgement to Discover the Smile for making this happen. You have made a positive impact on our staff, families, patients, and community. Keep making a difference!


DR. PHILIP LANZKOWSKY
Executive Director & Chief of Staff
of Schneider Children’s Hospital

"Schneider Children’s Hospital is recognized internationally for its medical excellence as well as for its kind and compassionate care. It is always our goal to provide the finest care in a child-friendly
environment. I am sincerely grateful to Discover the Smile Foundation for recognizing the importance of providing engaging and diversionary interests for the children, making a potentially stressful hospital experience more pleasant. The dedication and hard work of the Discover the Smile supporters will benefit both the young patients and their families."


RALPH NAPPI
President, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Foundation

"Nothing touches our hearts more than a child stricken with a serious illness. While those of us in health care strive to make hospital visits as pleasant as possible, we have come to rely on child-centered organizations to help us ease a child’s fear. I have tremendous admiration for the men and women of Discover the Smile Foundation, who have made it their mission to lessen the stress of our young patients. To see the wonder and joy on a child’s face when he or she experiences one of your imaginative and innovative solutions is truly heartwarming. To a frightened and vulnerable child, you give a priceless gift – a smile."