NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health Expands Access to Comprehensive Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Care
Team-based approach brings specialized developmental, behavioral and therapeutic services together to improve access to coordinated care for children and families in the community
From April through October 2026, Gotham Health recorded over 4,400 developmental pediatrics encounters at Morrisania and over 700 at St. Nicholas, for a combined total of over 5,000 encounters
Oct 26, 2026
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is expanding access to specialized developmental-behavioral pediatric care through a multidisciplinary model at Gotham Health, Morrisania in the Bronx, building on existing services at Gotham Health, St. Nicholas in Harlem. The program brings together medical specialists, therapists, behavioral health professionals and social support services to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for children with developmental delays, autism, learning difficulties and behavioral challenges.
Designed to address the complex needs of children and families, the program offers an integrated approach to developmental care within community-based healthcare settings. By coordinating specialized services and providing individualized support, Gotham Health aims to reduce the burden on parents and caregivers who often must navigate multiple specialists, referrals and appointments on their own.
From April through October 2026, Gotham Health recorded 4,441 developmental pediatrics encounters at Morrisania and 710 at St. Nicholas, for a combined total of 5,151 encounters. These figures highlight the reach of Gotham Health’s developmental pediatric services and the importance of accessible, community-based specialty care for children and families.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and every family deserves access to the care and support they need,” said Michelle Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health. “Our developmental-behavioral pediatrics program brings specialized services closer to the communities we serve, helping families identify developmental concerns early and connect their children with the right care. Through coordinated, compassionate services at Morrisania and St. Nicholas, we are giving children and families the support they need to thrive.”
Comprehensive Developmental Care in the Community
The developmental-behavioral pediatrics program offers a coordinated approach to caring for children with complex developmental and behavioral needs, bringing together specialized services and support, including:
- Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics: Evaluation and management of developmental delays, autism, learning difficulties, attention and behavioral concerns.
- Speech Therapy: Support for children experiencing speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Occupational Therapy: Assistance with motor skills, coordination and everyday activities.
- Physiatry: Evaluation and management of physical and functional challenges.
- Psychology: Assessment and support for emotional, behavioral and developmental concerns.
- Social Work and Community Support: Assistance connecting families with resources and navigating care.
“Children with developmental and behavioral challenges often need support from several different specialists,” said Dr. John Gaipa, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at the Child Development Clinic at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania. “By bringing these services together and working as a team, we can better coordinate care, address each child’s individual needs and help families navigate the care process with greater confidence.”
At Gotham Health, Morrisania, Dr. John Gaipa, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, provides specialized developmental evaluations and care as part of the multidisciplinary team. At Gotham Health, St. Nicholas, Dr. Tyrone Bentley, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, provides specialized services for children with developmental, learning and behavioral concerns. Together, the two locations strengthen access to developmental pediatric expertise and support Gotham Health’s commitment to providing comprehensive care in the communities it serves.
“Early identification and timely intervention can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development,” said Dr. Tyrone Bentley, Director of the Developmental Evaluation Center and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, St. Nicholas. “Providing developmental-behavioral pediatric services in the communities where families live helps reduce barriers to specialized care and gives parents the guidance and support they need to help their children thrive.”
Through early identification, individualized treatment and ongoing family support, Gotham Health’s developmental-behavioral pediatrics program helps children receive appropriate interventions while addressing their developmental, behavioral and emotional needs. The multidisciplinary approach at Morrisania also provides a model for strengthening coordinated developmental care across Gotham Health’s community healthcare network.
Gotham Health’s commitment to supporting children’s healthy growth and development will also be highlighted at its 2026 Masquerade Gala, “Every Child Thrives,” on November 12 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year’s gala will focus on childhood development and the importance of ensuring that every child has access to the care and support needed to reach their full potential.
To learn more about Gotham Health’s developmental-behavioral pediatrics program or schedule an appointment, call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) or visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/gotham-health.
For more information about participating locations, visit:
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MEDIA CONTACT: Nash Dunlap, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, 212-238-7766
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is a Federally Qualified Healthcare Provider formed in 2015 to enable individuals and families to address their health care needs in their own neighborhoods. Serving more than 100,000 New Yorkers annually in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens, Gotham Health consists of 29 healthcare sites in all five boroughs of New York City. Gotham Health provides easy-to-access, high-quality, affordable health care services with a focus on primary care. It is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and building healthy communities, with a focus upon providing patients and families convenient access to high-quality preventive care, such as annual check-ups and immunizations. Health care teams are trained to help patients manage ongoing conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.