St. Margaret's Center is a skilled nursing facility in Albany, New York that provides 24-hour medical care to medically fragile infants, children, and young adults. Founded in 1883, the facility specializes in long-term intensive care for chronically ill children and those with disabilities in a nurturing, home-like setting on a single dedicated campus.
The center's care team includes highly trained nursing staff, respiratory therapists, a therapy department, and attending physicians from Albany Medical Center and the Center for Disability Services. St. Margaret's is known for helping children transition to less restrictive environments, including weaning residents off ventilators so they can return home to their families. Many residents graduate from school and move toward greater independence.
Education and development are central to the facility's mission. Some residents attend public schools throughout the community, while those too medically fragile to leave campus receive bedside schooling and participate in an in-house day school program facilitated by the Langan School. The facility offers a wide range of therapies and services tailored to the needs of long-term pediatric care.
St. Margaret's emphasizes creating a full childhood experience for residents, viewing patients as children first rather than defined by their medical conditions. The facility incorporates activities, family involvement, and friendship in a warm atmosphere designed to feel like home.
The center provides comprehensive support to families caring for children with intensive medical needs or disabilities. Services include family counseling, guidance with caregiving roles, and access to resources like Parent to Parent of New York State, a Family to Family Health Care Information and Education Center. Staff are available to address family questions and concerns and work collaboratively to ensure all of each child's medical, social, educational, and emotional needs are being met.
