Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, is the advanced pediatric center for New York’s Hudson Valley region, caring for the community’s most seriously ill and injured children. The 144-bed hospital is home to the Hudson Valley’s only Level I pediatric trauma and burn care programs, pediatric intensive care unit, and regional neonatal intensive care unit (Level IV).

The hospital was named for 13-year-old Maria Fareri, who in 1995 died tragically from rabies. Her parents, Brenda and John Fareri, wanted to honor her memory by helping to fulfill a wish she had expressed for “the health and well-being of all the children in the world.” They channeled their grief into spearheading the creation of a children’s hospital that would be truly child-friendly.

Maria Fareri Children's Hospital operates under a family-centered approach. Our comfortable and family-oriented environment is meant to be welcoming and warm, complete with an aquarium, a “neighborhood” approach to each wing, child life specialists, and a Creative Arts Therapy program. We recognize the importance of parents, siblings, and family members being a part of every step of a child's treatment. The hospital has private inpatient rooms with bathrooms, showers, and sleeping areas for caregivers. In addition, the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley is conveniently located steps away from the hospital.

Maria Fareri Children's Hospital is an academic partner of New York Medical College. Our dedicated staff is involved in research, developing tomorrow's treatments, and training the pediatric healthcare providers of the future. We are also a proud member of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for 170 member children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.

Learn about services offered

Maria Fareri Children's Hospital

100 Woods Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
Directions

914-493-7000

Maria Fareri Children's Hospital Visitation Guidelines

Effective May 12, 2025

All visitors are required to check in at the Lobby Main Desk. A Guest Services Associate will verify your identification and a visitor pass will be provided.

Visiting Hours

9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Age Guidelines

Visitors under the age of 18 are permitted.
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visitors under the age of 14 wishing to visit patients in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) must obtain preapproval from the charge nurse of the unit.

Visitation Guidelines

There is no limit to the total number of visitors throughout the day; however, only two (2) visitors may be in the room at a time.

Pediatric patients: Age 22 years and under, are allowed four (4) Designated Support People (DSP). Two (2) DSPs can visit together at any given time, 24 hours per day.
Labor and Delivery: Two (2) Designated Support Persons (DSPs) are allowed 24 hours a day, throughout labor, delivery, and the postpartum period, including recovery, until discharge. One of these DSPs can be a doula if requested. The DSPs can be the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling, parent, or other individuals of their choice.
Emergency Department: Accompaniment to the Emergency Department is permitted. However, during periods of high volume, access to the waiting room may be restricted to patients only.
Same-Day Procedures: Patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied by two (2) DSPs, who can remain in a designated waiting area until the patient is discharged.
Behavioral Health Units: Visitation guidelines for Behavioral Health units are provided to patients and families upon admission.
Extenuating Circumstances: Requests for special visitation due to extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Such requests or concerns can be directed to Patient Experience at 914.493.8877.

Infection Control

All hospital, state, and federal infection control guidelines must be followed. Visitors will be informed of specific protocols on a case-by-case basis.

All visitors will be screened for upper respiratory illness symptoms (e.g., coughing, runny nose) upon arrival. Visitors displaying these symptoms will not be allowed to enter the hospital.
We ask that all visitors practice rigorous hand hygiene.

Facemask Requirements:

General facemask wearing is no longer required for staff or visitors, whether in public, clinical, or non-clinical areas.
Individuals not required to wear a facemask may still choose to wear a facemask based on personal preference.

Communication Devices

For patients using personal devices to communicate with family and friends:

All WMCHealth patients must adhere to policies regarding photography, recording, and videotaping.
Live video streaming between patients and family/friends requires approval from both the patient and WMCHealth.
The stream must be time-limited, should not include clinical procedures or staff, and should not interfere with clinical treatment or hospital operations.