Baltimore Batman’s Legacy Lives on as Sinai Hospital Partners with National Nonprofit to Bring Day of Play to Hospitalized Children
Baltimore, MD – Lenny Robinson, the larger-than-life caped crusader known as the ‘Baltimore Batman,” who brought love and compassion to thousands of children around our region before his passing in 2015, will be honored on “Lenny B. Robinson Day” at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai.
The Robinson family, along with Hope For Henry and LifeBridge Health’s Sinai Hospital, is planning a celebration for the children that will include superheroes, face-painting, interactive experiences, and lunch for the families inside the playroom on the pediatric unit. Around 20 families from the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics and the pediatric unit are expected to attend. Since 2015, the family has continued Lenny’s legacy by partnering with Hope for Henry to create the Hope for Henry LBR Program at Sinai Hospital.
“Lenny Robinson brought joy to children and families receiving care at Sinai, and we are so grateful to the Robinson family for their ongoing support. This superheroes event feels like a fitting way to honor and remember Lenny by doing what he loved to do, which is bringing joy and smiles to others,” says Aziza Shad, M.D., the Ellen W. P. Wasserman chair of pediatrics and chief, pediatric hematology oncology, at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai.
“The impact of these events goes well beyond play and distraction to supporting the ability of children to follow their procedures and improving overall patient experience, so these children heal and thrive,” says Laurie Strongin, founder and CEO of Hope for Henry. “We’ve learned over the years that happier kids handle their medical plans better and experience fewer complications. Sinai and the Robinsons provide an incredible opportunity to help these kids succeed.”
Background: Hope for Henry was founded in memory of DC resident Henry Strongin Goldberg, who died at age seven following a bone marrow transplant. Henry had a lifelong obsession with Batman, finding inspiration to fight to get better in Batman’s personal strength and awesomely equipped utility belt. Henry decorated his hospital room with Batman memorabilia and earned Batman action figures throughout his illness for adhering to his medical plan.
Lenny “Batman” Robinson appeared countless times at Hope for Henry Superhero Extravaganzas and Halloween parties. Lenny understood that while every kid likes to imagine what it would be like to have superpowers, some kids need visits from their heroes to help them heal. Lenny’s visits with hospitalized kids gave them the strength and motivation to get through a rough day or a painful procedure. With his help, they broke through the monotony of a long hospitalization.
When: August 15, 2024 12:00-3:00 pm EDT.
Where: Sinai Hospital, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The Samuelson Children’s Hospital is to the left of the main entrance to the hospital. The building is a bump-out with large glass windows near the flagpoles.
Contact: Jack Goldberg, jack.goldberg@hopeforhenry.org
Theo Hayes, lbhmedia@lifebridgehealth.org
About Hope for Henry
Hope for Henry revolutionizes pediatric care with innovative, proven programs. Combining education with incentives, they motivate children, promote adherence, elevate satisfaction, and empower kids to conquer medical challenges. Since 2003, Hope for Henry has helped more than 140,000 kids in over 40 hospitals confront the challenges of serious illness, adhere to their medical plans, and thrive. Visit hopeforhenry.org.
About Sinai Hospital
The Herman & Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai is one of the nation’s leading pediatric community hospitals with family-centered care to ensure our children and their families are our number one priority. Our skilled medical experts provide advanced specialty care and bring extensive knowledge and experience to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses and diseases. Sinai Hospital is part of LifeBridge Health, one of the largest, most comprehensive health providers in Maryland. LifeBridge Health also includes Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, and other related subsidiaries and affiliates. For more information, go to lifebridgehealth.org.
