A time of life characterized by profound physical, mental, and psychosocial development, adolescence can be a confusing and challenging phase for teenagers and their parents.

Lifelong habits, both healthy and harmful, are frequently established during the teen years. Additionally, social stress and academic pressure can increase exponentially during adolescence and young adulthood. At Stony Brook Children's, we recognize these challenges and strive to address them.

Serving more than 2,000 patients each year, our Division of Adolescent Medicine is the only hospital-based adolescent medicine program in Suffolk County. 

Our mission is to educate and empower patients ages 12-25 to make healthy decisions, avoid high-risk behaviors, and develop habits that encourage a lifetime of health. We provide developmentally-appropriate, comprehensive primary care and consultation services in the inpatient and outpatient settings. We use a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with other Stony Brook pediatric specialists and professionals (such as nutritionists and mental health counselors) to provide personalized care for patients. We understand the need for confidential care yet we strongly encourage and can facilitate open communication between the adolescent and their parents.

The Adolescent Medicine division also engages in vital adolescent medicine research, and all members of the Adolescent Medicine division are also educators in the Stony Brook School of Medicine teaching residents and medical students how to provide adolescent-friendly care.