About Children's Memorial Hospital

Children's Memorial Hospital is the place where kids come first. Staffed and equipped like no other hospital around, we are tenacious in our quest to heal and compassionate in our care. With top pediatric specialists, the newest technologies and kid-focused experience, we dedicate ourselves to the health and well-being of all children.

With 1,100 pediatric specialist focusing on 72 specialties in multiple locations, Children's Memorial routinely provides more care to more young people than any other Chicago area hospital or medical center. We believe our kid-focused approach makes a difference-and so do others. We are continuously ranked as Illinois' top pediatric hospital and one of the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report. Each day, we give it our very best with:

• Doctors, nurses and staff members trained in pediatrics;
• Equipment designed specifically for kids;
• An emphasis on treating the whole child and family;
• Facility designs that appeal to children. To learn more about us, please visit childrensmemorial.org

Our Vision
Children's Memorial Hospital is guided by the belief that all children need to grow up in a protective and nurturing environment, where each child is given the opportunity to reach his or her potential. We believe this vision can provide a brighter future for all children.

Our Mission
Children's Memorial Hospital is dedicated to the health and well-being of all children. As the pediatric teaching facility for Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, this commitment drives us to be a leader in:

• Pediatric healthcare delivery
• Research into the prevention, causes and treatment of diseases that affect children
• Education for physicians, nurses and allied health professionals
• Advocacy for the general well-being of all children
• As a charitable organization, we serve children and their families to the best of our abilities and to the limits of our resources.

Our History
In 1882, Julia Porter transformed the loss of her 13-year-old son, Maurice, into a gift for other sick children, turning an eight-bed cottage at Chicago's Halsted Street and Belden Avenue into the Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital. Dedicated to the free care and treatment of children, the hospital soon saw local demand outweigh available space. Mrs. Porter's next move was to arrange for construction of a second building at Lincoln and Orchard Avenues that added 20 new beds. By 1890, a professional staff of six was caring for 68 patients. Over the years, the reputation of the dedicated facility focusing on the complete care of children and their families continued to grow.