WakeMed Dedicates Children’s Hospital in Honor of Longtime Pediatrician

Raleigh, N.C. (July 29, 2024) – On July 21, the WakeMed Children’s Hospital was officially dedicated in honor of Peg and Dr. Jerry Bernstein.  Dr. Bernstein served as a pediatrician and founding member of Raleigh Pediatric Associates while also caring for thousands of children at WakeMed.  

Throughout the course of his career, Dr. Bernstein and his late wife, Peg, went above and beyond to ensure that every child in our community had the opportunity to realize their potential. 

As Dr. Bernstein transitions into retirement, WakeMed celebrates the many contributions he has made to the WakeMed family over the years, including helping to establish the WakeMed Foundation and serving as its Board chair for 10 years, and two terms on the WakeMed Hospital Board of Directors. 

This special recognition was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Szulik Family Foundation. 

When speaking of this honor and the dedication gift to WakeMed, Matthew Szulik said, “Dr. Bernstein has led by example in extraordinary care of North Carolina’s children for 50 years. His vision for WakeMed’s Children’s has become a model for pediatric care nationwide. He is a true leader. The Szulik Family Foundation is honored to recognize the Bernsteins by supporting the dedication of the Children’s Hospital in their honor.” 

Donald Gintzig, WakeMed president & CEO, added, “It is fair to say, we owe a debt of gratitude to both Peg and Jerry for their selfless service to improve the health and well-being of children and families across our community. Not only did Jerry honorably care for patients, he also helped shape what both the WakeMed Foundation and WakeMed Children’s are today – including his vision to have the first dedicated Children’s Emergency Department in North Carolina which opened in 1997 and the building of WakeMed Children’s Hospital. His compassion and commitment will continue to serve our community for generations to come.  We are humbled and honored to formally dedicate the WakeMed Children’s Hospital in honor of Peg and Dr. Jerry Bernstein.” 

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 1,003-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 165 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 11,400 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand LinkedIn.

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