Seacrest Selects Leading Children's Hospital to Host State-of-the-Art Interactive Media Center

PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) has selected The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as its newest site for the construction of THE VOICE, an interactive closed circuit broadcast multi-media center. THE VOICE provides young patients within The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia community with an outlet 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.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110406/DC78379)

"Throughout my 20-year career in the entertainment business, I've toured many hospitals and have consistently been amazed by the courage of children and their families in light of the hardships they face," said Ryan Seacrest, who recently launched 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.

Seacrest continues, "Recognized as one of the best children's hospitals in the country, I am thrilled to bring our program to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  Not only is The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia leading pediatric clinical and research innovation, it is a national leader in developing techniques to support the patient's emotional well-being. THE VOICE will be a new addition to their existing Child-Life programs and will provide a lively form of interactive entertainment."

"The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is proud 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, operate an in-house studio or even to listen to the broadcast, and call in requests.  It gives them a little bit of control that is so often lost while in the hospital."

RSF aims to contribute to the healing process for children and their families during their hospital stay by bringing an uplifting spirit to the hospital community through this broadcast media center.

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

To learn more, go to 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
Salis@email.chop.edu

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia