Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital held a ribbon cutting last week for the Michael & Christine Perrucci Center for Children’s Health and Wellbeing.

“We are so grateful to the Perruccis for their generous gift toward the development of this center, and we thank them for their incredible vision and generosity,” said Brian A. Nester, Lehigh Valley Health Network President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Christine and I are honored to partner with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital on their mission to improve the health outcomes of children across our region,” Michael Perrucci said. “With children of our own, this cause is near to our hearts and allows us to contribute to not only our community’s present, but its future as well.”

The center is at LVHN–One City Center, 707 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Public health experts will measure the needs of the children in the local community and employ evidence-based practices to improve a wide range of health outcomes, including: infant mortality and premature births; suicide attempts in adolescents; resiliency in high-risk children; adverse childhood experiences; child abuse and neglect; school readiness; emergency room and hospitalization rates for medically complex children; childhood obesity; immunization rates; impact of chronic illnesses, such as asthma; impact of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.