NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Opens Serenity Room to Provide Comfort for Patients and Families
New space offers families privacy, comfort and support during difficult times
Oct 08, 2026
New York, NY – Metropolitan Hospital recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Serenity Room, a private space for patients and families in the hospital’s main building. With support from Chief Executive Officer Julian John, the hospital created the room to give families a place to gather and meet privately with care teams.
“When someone you love is in the hospital, having a quiet place to sit together can make a tremendous difference,” said Julian John, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “The Serenity Room reflects our commitment to caring not only for patients, but also for the families who support them.”
The space gives families a place to spend time together, grieve and discuss concerns with social workers, spiritual care providers, doctors and patient advocates. For staff, it provides a setting for sensitive conversations that respects each family’s privacy and dignity.
Hospital senior leaders, members of the Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC), muralist Kristy McCarthy, Auxiliary board members and community members gathered for the ceremony to recognize the contributions that made the room possible.
“I am grateful to our Operations, Public Affairs, and Auxiliary teams for helping bring this vision to life,” said Elsa Cosme, Chief Operating Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. “Every detail of this room was designed with patients and families in mind, creating a welcoming space where they can find comfort, support, and privacy when they need it most.”
Murals by Kristy McCarthy, an East Harlem artist who lives near the hospital, depict river and mountain landscapes. The room’s green and cream tones complement the artwork, creating a calming setting for reflection.
The hospital’s Auxiliary board members sponsored the room’s furniture, continuing their longstanding support of Metropolitan Hospital and the people it serves.
“Supporting Metropolitan Hospital means paying attention to the everyday needs of patients and their families,” said Betsy Mendez-White, President of the Metropolitan Hospital Auxiliary. “We were pleased to sponsor the furniture for the Serenity Room and help make it a welcoming place. It means a great deal to our members to contribute to a space where families can find comfort in one another’s company.”
Families are encouraged to speak with their care team about using the Serenity Room and connecting with resources and support during a loved one’s care.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Isaiah McClain, Director of Communications at Metropolitan Hospital, mcclaini@nychhc.org, 212-423-7782
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is a full-service community hospital in East Harlem and one of eleven hospitals within NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal health system in the United States. Metropolitan Hospital has 338 beds in operation and serves the community through 448,000 clinic visits and 58,000 emergency room visits annually. Since the hospital’s founding in 1875, Metropolitan Hospital has maintained the nation’s oldest municipal hospital-medical school affiliation through its longstanding partnership with New York Medical College. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/metropolitan.
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.