Schneider Hospital Gets Its Own Stamp

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Post Office dedicated a new stamp to child health awareness at Schneider Children’s Hospital, using the new postage note to stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle among young people.
“This stamp will reach world wide…and spread the message of child health,” said Catherine Cassidy, district manager of Marketing at the U.S. Post Office. “The Post Office for over 50 years has been putting out stamps to highlight historical issues and social causes.”
Because 2005 was declared “Year of the Healthy Child” by the U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD, the issuance of the stamp was even more relevant, Cassidy said. In addition, October was designated Child Health Month by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Chatting with young hospital patients, Dr. Philip Lanzkowsky, executive director of the hospital, stressed the importance of getting regular checkups, eating healthfully, exercising, and wearing seat belts.
“[Doctors] keep the children healthy,” said 9-year-old Belinda Kaur, when quizzed by Lanzkowsky.
For 11-year-old Jacob Smart and his mother Sheri, the topic of children’s health and the necessity of protecting it hit very close to home.
“This is why it is so important for checkups,” said Smart, holding up the stamp.
Sheri Smart said that her son attended school with a 9-year-old Merrick boy, Robbie Levine, who collapsed and died from cardiac arrest on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
“[The stamp] it’s almost as if it is in his honor,” Smart said.
Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO of North Shore-LIJ Health System, unveiled the stamp – a black and gold silhouette image of a doctor examining a child, which became available nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 29.
csantucci@loyola.edu