10/10/2025
ST. MARY’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN HOSTS MEDICALLY COMPLEX PEDIATRIC & YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW YORK DEAFBLIND COLLABORATIVE
The event brought together families of medically complex children, healthcare professionals, and other advocates for a full day of education, collaboration, and community building
QUEENS, NY – St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children hosted the Medically Complex Pediatric & Young Adult Conference in partnership with the New York DeafBlind Collaborative (NYDBC) on September 27th. The event focused on supporting medically complex children and young adults, from pediatrics through young adulthood.
Attendees participated in a diverse program featuring presentations and workshops covering complex care resources, special education strategies, home care support, caregiver well-being, and disability advocacy. The conference also included content on an immersive DeafBlind training that is available through Helen Keller National Center, a compelling parent panel facilitated by Project DOCC, and specialized sessions for siblings and caregivers of children with complex medical needs.
“St. Mary’s in partnership with the New York DeafBlind Collaborative (NYDBC) was honored to host this year’s Medically Complex Pediatric & Young Adult Conference, which offers us a unique opportunity to connect directly with the families and professionals who are making a difference in the lives of medically complex children and young adults,” said Sean Lally, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “The success of this conference is a testament to our incredible staff and partners at NYDBC, who are committed to creating experiences that educate, empower, and uplift our industry.”
As a federally funded grant, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NYDBC’s scope of work often lies in the realm of education. However, children and young adults with combined hearing and vision loss often have additional, significant needs, which is why partnership with entities in the medical field is essential, like with St. Mary’s.
As the only center for pediatric long-term and rehabilitative care in New York City, St. Mary’s has served New York’s children for more than 150 years. St. Mary’s provides a continuum of care to children with medically complex conditions through an inpatient hospital facility in Bayside Queens, as well as home care services and community programs. More than 90 percent of patients at St. Mary’s require a level of care that exceeds what their families can afford and what Medicaid is able to cover.
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About St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children: St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children has been the primary provider of long-term and rehabilitative care for New York’s most medically fragile children since the 1870s. St. Mary’s Healthcare System is one of only a handful of organizations around the country that is dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to children and young adults with special healthcare needs.
About New York DeafBlind Collaborative: NYDBC is a statewide grant that provides technical assistance on multiple levels of intensity throughout all regions of NYS regarding the needs of children and young adults with dual sensory loss, their families, educators and service providers. NYDBC is responsible for maintaining a statewide count of children who are DeafBlind that is reported annually to the OSEP. For more information, to refer a child or to request services, please visit: www.nydeafblind.org.
