Ryan Seacrest Foundation Launches New Broadcast Media Center THE VOICE at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ryan Seacrest Foundation launched THE VOICE at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during a ribbon-cutting event on Friday held in the Hospital's Colket Atrium, the new home of this interactive closed-circuit broadcast multi-media center.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110718/DC36500-a )

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110718/DC36500-b )

Teen sensation Selena Gomez made a special appearance at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, joining Ryan Seacrest as he hosted the first broadcast from THE VOICE, which also included interviews with NFL Kicker David Akers, cardiac patient Julia Parmisciano and Stephanie Fuller, M.D., a Cardiac Center surgeon at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  

"I'm excited to bring THE VOICE to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia," said Seacrest, founder and chairman of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multimedia and interactive platforms to enlighten, entertain and educate.

"The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a leading pediatric clinical and research facility and a national leader in developing techniques to support the patient's emotional well-being," added Seacrest. "THE VOICE closed-circuit broadcast center is a new addition to their existing Child Life programs and provides a creative, interactive entertainment."

"Ryan Seacrest and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia are two of our favorite things," said Steve Burke, chief executive officer of NBCUniversal and member of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Board of Trustees. "Comcast Foundation and NBCUniversal are proud and honored to support the launch of THE VOICE at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with a leadership gift.  THE VOICE is an extraordinary program designed to entertain patients during their hospital stay, and we feel privileged that our support helped make this dream a reality."

THE VOICE provides young patients within The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia community with an opportunity to engage in activities related to radio, TV and new media, ranging from broadcasting like a disc jockey and playing their favorite songs to watching live artists perform and interviewing celebrities.

"The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is honored to be the recipient of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation's THE VOICE broadcast media center," said Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., chief executive officer of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  "THE VOICE will offer a creative outlet for our patients to learn about the broadcast arts and how to operate an in-house studio.  It gives them a little bit of control that is so often lost while in the hospital."

THE VOICE at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is located in the Main Hospital's Colket Atrium.  THE VOICE will also involve students from local journalism schools, colleges and universities, providing an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in broadcasting, programming and operating a multi-media center.

To support programming or learn more about at THE VOICE at CHOP: www.giftofchildhood.org/thevoice

About Ryan Seacrest Foundation

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a (501) (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children through unique programs that utilize multi-media and interactive platforms to enlighten, entertain and educate. RSF's first initiative is to build closed circuit broadcast media centers, named THE VOICE, within pediatric hospitals for children to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. RSF's aim is to contribute positively to the healing process for children and their families during their stay by developing these centers to bring an uplifting spirit to the hospital community. The Foundation believes that access to multi-media experiences will bring patients exciting and stimulating adventures to encourage optimistic thoughts during treatment. It is also RSF's goal to bridge education into its mission by creating internship programs with THE VOICE for students from local journalism schools, colleges and universities, allowing them to gain first-hand experience in broadcasting and operating a multi-media center.  For more information, visit www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org.

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 516-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

Media Contact: Rachel Salis-Silverman
267-426-6063
[email protected]

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia