Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is a nationally ranked, freestanding pediatric acute care hospital located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The hospital is the pediatric teaching facility for the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and serves as the largest provider of pediatric care in the state. With 360 licensed beds, it operates a Level I Pediatric trauma center and is consistently recognized among the top children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

History

The institution traces its origins to 1882, when it was founded as the Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital, a small facility dedicated to orthopedic care for children. It was later renamed the Children's Memorial Hospital and operated for over a century at its former campus in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. In a significant expansion of its mission, the hospital moved to its current, state-of-the-art 23-story tower in Streeterville in June 2012, adopting its current name in recognition of a landmark philanthropic gift from the Lurie Foundation. This move positioned the hospital adjacent to the medical campus of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Feinberg School of Medicine, facilitating greater clinical and research integration.

Facilities and services

The main hospital tower is a 1.25 million square-foot facility designed with extensive family-centered features, including private patient rooms and dedicated family spaces. It houses one of the nation's busiest Pediatric emergency departments and a comprehensive Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The campus also includes the Outpatient Center and the Lincoln Park facility, which provides specialized ambulatory care. Key support services include the Family Services department, the Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, and the Seattle Children's Playroom, all aimed at enhancing the patient and family experience.

Research and education

As the pediatric arm of the Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, the hospital is a leading center for pediatric investigation, conducting groundbreaking work in areas like childhood cancer, genetic disorders, and organ transplantation. It is the primary pediatric training site for the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, educating medical students, residents, and fellows across all pediatric subspecialties. The hospital's research endeavors are significantly supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and private foundations, contributing to its designation as a Children's Oncology Group member institution.

Affiliations and recognition

The hospital maintains a primary academic affiliation with Northwestern University and its Feinberg School of Medicine. It is a founding member of the Children's Hospital Association and holds accreditation from The Joint Commission. It has consistently been ranked among the top children's hospitals nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with multiple specialties, including Cardiology & Heart Surgery and Neurology, achieving top-ten recognition. The institution is also a certified Cystic Fibrosis Foundation care center and a member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions.

Notable programs and specialties

The hospital is renowned for its Heart Center, which performs advanced procedures like heart transplants and catheter-based interventions. The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is a leader in treating childhood leukemia and is a key member of the Children's Oncology Group. Other distinguished programs include the Division of Pediatric Surgery, which includes a nationally ranked Pediatric urology service, the Institute for Sports Medicine, and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Center. The hospital's Fetal Health Center provides specialized care for complex conditions diagnosed before birth.

Category:Children's hospitals in Illinois Category:Teaching hospitals in Illinois Category:Hospitals in Chicago Category:Northwestern University Category:1882 establishments in Illinois