Brooklyn, NY, March 30, 2026 – Maimonides Children’s Hospital presented its newly renovated playroom and sensory room, now open to all children and families served in Maimonides’ pediatric inpatient units.

The renovations and addition of new equipment were made possible by grant funding awarded to Maimonides by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation®, an independent charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, through its Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces Grant Program.

With support from the foundation, the hospital reimagined its existing playroom and sensory room into one cohesive, expanded space. Now seamlessly connected, the rooms create a more open, inclusive, and flexible recreational environment to better serve patients of all ages and abilities. The renovation included several key upgrades like new flooring, new cabinetry to improve accessibility of toys and materials, new decorations, and an interactive gaming unit that combines movement, play, and digital projection to engage children in active games, encouraging physical activity, social interaction, and cognitive engagement. The playroom is designed to serve children with varying mobility levels through all developmental stages.

The renovations were overseen by Maimonides’ Child Life, Creative Arts, and Education Program, which offers a variety of services to support the emotional, social, and developmental needs of children experiencing stress due to hospitalization, and help children, adolescents, and families cope with the difficulties of serious illness and inpatient treatment.

“This newly renovated playroom represents so much more than a physical space,” said Alexis Ellis, Manager of Patient and Family Support, Maimonides Children’s Hospital. “It’s a place where children can feel safe, engaged, and simply be kids while they get better. Thanks to the generous support of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, we were able to create an environment that promotes comfort, creativity, and fun for patients of all ages, helping make the hospital experience a little brighter for the children and families we serve.”

“Offering our families the latest in innovative services and patient experience enhancements help make a stay in the hospital less stressful,” said Dolly Allen, Vice President, Nursing, Maternity and Pediatrics, Maimonides Health. “With great partners like Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, we continue to provide the best care for our community. We are extremely grateful for their generous support.”

“We’re thrilled that renovations have been completed and that patients at Maimonides can enjoy this revitalized space as part of their healing journey,” said Victor Carvalho, Dunkin’ Franchisee and Chairman of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation Board of Directors. “We proudly support the incredible work of Maimonides Children’s Hospital, and their partnership in our mission to bring joy to children and families facing health challenges.”

Maimonides Children’s Hospital is the borough’s only comprehensive children’s hospital and Pediatric Trauma Center, with a team of board-certified pediatric specialists whose expertise spans more than 30 pediatric subspecialties, from oncology and cardiology to surgery and intensive care. The hospital has a Regional Perinatal Center serving high-risk neonates, and boasts one of New York State’s largest obstetrics programs, delivering more than 5,500 babies in 2024. In 2025, Maimonides opened its newly expanded Children’s Emergency Department—the largest freestanding children’s emergency department and only dedicated pediatric trauma center in Brooklyn. In 2024, the Children’s Hospital had more than 7,000 inpatient visits and more than 162,000 outpatient visits. In 2025, Maimonides was rated number one out of 98 US Children’s Hospitals for quality outcomes.

View photos from the event here. To download, use PIN 4777.

About the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted nearly $60 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country thanks to the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit www.bringjoy.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Maimonides Children’s Hospital

Maimonides Children’s Hospital is the only Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn, caring for children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our staff is comprised of an outstanding team of board-certified pediatric physicians, surgeons, nurses, and nurse practitioners who dedicate their lives to the health and well-being of children. Our team of board-certified pediatric specialists collaborate with the team to ensure each child receives the expertise and best care possible in an environment created and designed for their comfort. For additional information, please visit maimo.org/treatments-care/childrens-hospital/.