William Randolph Hearst

Burn Center

The William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center provides comprehensive care to children and adults in New York City and the surrounding area who have sustained burn injuries. One of the largest in the country — treating more than 700 inpatients and 4,000 outpatients each year, the Burn Center is New York’s oldest wound treatment facility.

Our 20-bed facility is designed to provide integrated specialty services during the three phases of burn injury recovery: burn shock, wound care or surgery, and rehabilitation and reconstruction. Our team of burn specialists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, psychologists, critical care medicine specialists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other specialty staff work collaboratively to address the physical and emotional needs of our patients and families. Coordinating with other clinical departments throughout NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, our team assembles a customized plan of coordinated care to support those affected by a burn injury on their journey toward recovery.

Our Care Philosophy

Burns can happen in seconds, but their effects can last a lifetime. All burns – even small ones – can have a significant impact on how someone may feel, look, or move day-to-day. Prompt and effective treatment is critical – not only to help someone recover physically but emotionally and socially as well.

The William Randolph Hearst Burn Center became New York’s first burn center in 1976. Founded in collaboration with the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, the Center was created to provide specialized care to burn survivors. Over the past four decades, the Center has become a leader in the field with innovative burn research programs, community outreach and education initiatives, and advanced clinical care. As the Center continues to grow, so do our efforts to support burn survivors and prevent further injury.

Burn Care Specialists Detail the Realities of Home Fires

Burn Surgeon Dr. James Gallagher with the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center in New York City describe the painful aftermath their patients endure following home fires.

What Sets Us Apart

Comprehensive Care, in One Location: All of the services you need for your care are available in one hospital. Our 20-bed facility was designed to provide integrated specialty services during the three phases of care: burn shock, wound care/surgery, and rehabilitation/reconstruction. We provide therapeutic, emotional, educational and recreational care for our patients and their family members.
Rehabilitation to Support Recovery: Physical, emotional, social, and functional rehabilitation are critical components of healing. Our team of psychologists, peer supporters, and physical and occupational therapists are available to help you readjust to daily life.
Support Beyond Treatment: We know that the physical and emotional recovery after a burn can sometimes continue long after the skin has healed. We have several support groups for burn survivors and offer dedicated support groups for adult burn survivors and parents/caregivers of hospitalized children with burns.
Partnering with the Community: The Burn Center partners with other organizations, like the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation, to provide programs in wound healing, research, prevention, education, and reintegration of burn survivors into their community. Our experts regularly speak about burn hazards and how to reduce burn risk.
Specialized Services for Children: Trauma, like burns, and the painful, often intrusive, procedures needed to treat them can have a profound impact on children. To help children cope with the effects of burn trauma, we have child life specialists who engage children in activities to help them cope with hospitalization and injury. Children and their families receive physical, emotional, educational, and recreational therapy to aid in their recovery and return to home.
Burn Camps for Children: Camp Phoenix is run by students at Weill Cornell Medical College and provides local, safe, fun activities to children aged 7 to 17 years who have been affected by a burn injury. Camp activities build self-confidence, focus on teamwork, and bring together kids who understand each other. Siblings are also welcome to attend.
The Arthur C. Luf, retired firefighter, established the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation Burn Camp 1991. For one funfilled week each summer, burn surviors from 8 to 18 years are brought together through the efforts of the NY Firefighter Burn Center Foundation. Every year the foundation supports 15 survivors from the New York area so that they can attend camp and put aside their physical and emotional scars.
Leaders in Research: With the support of the New York Firefighters Wound Healing Research Program, our investigators are conducting research centered on innovations in burn treatment and studying effective prevention methods and injury trends.