2018 – A Generous Gift to Advance Care for Children with Cancer and Blood Disease

Announcement Date: March 19, 2018

The Jack Martin Fund, a nonprofit organization that has partnered with Mount Sinai Health System for 68 years, has provided a gift to open a new pediatric cancer inpatient unit at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai. The benefactors, along with Mount Sinai Health System leaders, celebrated the launch of The Jack Martin Fund Inpatient Unit for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disease at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 5,300-square-foot unit features eight private beds, including two isolation rooms with negative air pressure to protect immune-compromised children from infection, as well as a family lounge, a kitchen, and a playroom for younger children.

“This extraordinarily generous gift represents a critical step toward Mount Sinai’s goal of transforming children’s health care,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System. “Through our alliance with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the co-managed Children’s Cancer Program, we have expanded our pool of nationally recognized experts and are increasing the scope of clinical services to provide the most advanced care for children with cancer and blood disease.”

In 1988, the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology was named for Jack Martin, a business executive who died of polio in 1950 after being cared for at Mount Sinai. The Jack Martin Fund was established by his family to honor his memory.

“The Jack Martin Fund Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, led by new Chief Steven J. Burakoff, MD, provides exceptional care to children with cancer and blood disease, while conducting innovative research to advance our understanding and treatment of these disorders,” said Lisa Satlin, MD, Chair of Pediatrics for the Mount Sinai Health System. Dr. Burakoff also continues as Dean for Cancer Innovation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Lillian and Henry M. Stratton Professor of Cancer Medicine as he takes on this new role. Added Dr. Satlin: “This new inpatient unit reflects our commitment to caring for children and families in a warm, nurturing environment.”