
Shriners Hospitals for Children, commonly known as Shriners Children's, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals treat children with a variety of diseases including scoliosis, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, as well as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other neurological conditions. Care for children is usually provided until the age of 18, and in some cases, it may be extended to the age of 21. The first Shriners Hospital was opened in 1922 to help children who had contracted polio.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of children | Up to 18 years, sometimes extended to 21 years |
| Year founded | 1922 |
| Number of patients in 2021 | 440,000 |
| Number of research projects in 2022 | 90 |
| Number of hospitals | 23 |
| Number of hospitals specializing in pediatric burns | 4 |
| Number of hospitals providing spinal cord injury rehabilitation | 3 |
Explore related products
$14.99 $15.99
What You'll Learn

Shriners Hospitals for Children's history
Shriners Hospitals for Children, commonly known as Shriners Children's, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals are owned and operated by Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a Freemasonry-related organisation whose members are known as Shriners.
The history of Shriners Children's dates back to the late 1910s, when a polio epidemic swept across the United States, leaving many children without adequate care. In response, the Shriners fraternity, driven by their desire to help those in need, established a children's hospital. On May 12, 1922, thousands gathered to witness the cornerstone-laying of the first Shriners Children's hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The hospital began treating patients on September 16, 1922, in a remodelled home adjacent to the Masonic temple while the permanent hospital was under construction. The first patient was a little girl with clubfoot.
Over the years, Shriners Children's has expanded from a single hospital to a world-renowned healthcare system, with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centres, and outreach locations across the globe. The organisation has remained true to its founding mission of providing high-quality specialty medical care to children and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. In 1962, the Shriners of North America allocated $10 million to establish three hospitals specialising in the treatment and rehabilitation of burned children, further demonstrating their commitment to paediatric care.
In 2015, Shriners Hospitals for Children became a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, joining a national network of organisations dedicated to improving patient care through physician collaboration. As healthcare trends evolved, Shriners Hospitals for Children rebranded as Shriners Children's in the 2020s, reflecting the increasing emphasis on outpatient care. Today, approximately a third of their facilities operate as outpatient centres, resulting in increased patient numbers and reduced expenses.
Shriners Children's continues to innovate and adapt to meet the changing needs of paediatric care. In 2023, the organisation reported assets of over $10 billion, enabling them to provide a wide range of treatments, including orthopaedics, burn care, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and craniofacial surgery. Their research department manages numerous projects across their healthcare system, with a focus on motion analysis and genomics, constantly striving to improve treatments and transform lives.
Disha Eye Hospital: Sunday Availability and Services
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The age range of patients
Shriners Hospitals for Children, commonly known as Shriners Children's, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals are owned and operated by Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a Freemasonry-related organisation. The first Shriners Hospital was opened in 1922 primarily to help children who had contracted polio. The hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, was the first of its kind, and the Shriners Hospitals for Children network has since expanded globally.
The hospitals cater to children from infancy through to late adolescence and early adulthood. The lower age limit for patients is not explicitly stated, but the hospitals treat conditions that can affect patients from birth, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and hip dysplasia. The hospitals also provide treatment for conditions that may develop or be diagnosed later in childhood, such as scoliosis and burns.
The hospitals' commitment to seeing patients throughout their childhood fosters close, ongoing relationships between patients, families, and their medical teams. This continuity of care ensures that patients receive the treatment and support they need as they grow and develop, with specialised care tailored to their age and developmental stage.
Kona Community Hospital: Is It a Trauma Center?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Locations and treatments
Shriners Children's, commonly known as Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals are headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and owned and operated by Shriners International, an organisation related to Freemasonry. The first Shriners Children's hospital opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana, in response to a polio epidemic that left many children without access to appropriate care.
Today, Shriners Children's operates hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centres, and outreach locations across the globe. Some of the locations include Boston, Chicago, Shreveport, Galveston, Springfield, Portland, Los Angeles, Ohio, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, and Southern California. The hospital in Sacramento is unique in that it focuses on burns, orthopaedics, and spinal cord injuries, as well as research.
The hospitals provide treatment for a range of paediatric orthopaedic conditions, including scoliosis, limb discrepancies, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They also treat neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other conditions affecting ambulation and movement. Three hospitals offer specialised spinal cord injury rehabilitation for children and adolescents, including adventure and adapted sports programs, activity-based rehabilitation, aqua therapy, and animal-assisted therapy. Additionally, Shriners Children's hospitals in Boston, Galveston, Cincinnati, and Sacramento provide care for children with burns and various skin conditions.
Craniofacial conditions, cleft lip and palate, and pediatric plastic surgery are also treated at several Shriners Children's hospitals. Transportation to the hospitals is often provided free of charge for patients and their families by Shriner-drivers, ensuring accessibility for those seeking treatment.
Finding Hospitals in Biddeford, Maine: Where Are They?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Shriners Children's today
Shriners Children's, formerly known as Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities. The organisation has hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centres, and outreach locations across North America and the globe. Shriners Children's provides specialty medical care to children and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.
The healthcare system has treated children with a range of conditions, including orthopaedic problems, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, burns, and skin conditions. They also provide treatment for craniofacial conditions and neurological conditions that affect movement, such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Shriners Children's offers a range of services, including telehealth and outreach clinics, to expand their reach and treat more children in more places.
The organisation has adapted to current healthcare trends by introducing the phrase "Shriners Children's", which is shorter and more definitive, reflecting their commitment to children. Shriners Children's continues to innovate and transform, emphasising outpatient care to meet the expectations of providers and parents. As of 2021, about a third of their facilities are operating as outpatient centres, resulting in higher patient numbers.
In 2022, Shriners Children's managed 90 research projects across its healthcare system, including motion analysis and genomics. The organisation is committed to medical education and collaborates with medical teaching facilities to provide superior education for medical professionals. Shriners Children's also selects International Patient Ambassadors to represent the healthcare system's patients and share their stories.
Renting a Hospital-Grade Pump: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Shriners Children's future plans
Shriners Children's, formerly known as Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and paediatric medical facilities across North America. The hospitals are owned and operated by Shriners International, a Freemasonry-related organisation. The first Shriners Children's hospital opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana, to meet the needs of children during a polio epidemic. Today, Shriners Children's operates hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centres, and outreach locations worldwide.
Shriners Children's provides care for a range of orthopaedic issues, burn injuries, craniofacial conditions, spine care, spinal cord injuries, and other specialty areas. Treatment is provided in a family-centred environment, regardless of patients' ability to pay or insurance status. Care is typically provided until age 18, but may be extended to age 21 in some cases.
In terms of future plans, Shriners Children's is committed to conducting research that will improve medical treatments and the quality of life for children. They are currently managing 90 projects across their healthcare system, with notable areas of research including motion analysis and genomics. Shriners Children's is also exploring the use of wearable sensors and markerless camera systems to advance motion analysis capabilities and bring this technology to more children.
In addition, Shriners Children's is adapting to current healthcare trends, particularly the emphasis on outpatient care. As a result, some of their facilities have become outpatient surgical centres, and they have begun accepting insurance payments for most care. This shift has led to increased patient numbers and reduced expenses.
Shriners Children's also plans to continue its tradition of providing close, ongoing relationships between patients, families, and their medical teams. They are committed to providing high-quality, safe care in a nurturing environment, regardless of financial circumstances. With assets of over $10 billion in 2023, Shriners Children's is well-positioned to carry out its mission of changing and improving lives.
Cleveland Hospital: Esophageal Reconstruction Surgery Options
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Children are eligible for care until they are 18 years old, although in some cases, it may be extended to 21.
Shriners Hospitals for Children was established in 1922 to help children who had contracted polio. The first hospital was opened in Shreveport, Louisiana. Today, it is a world-renowned healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, and ambulatory care centers across the globe.
The primary mission of Shriners Children's is to help children who need specialized medical care, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. They aim to provide high-quality medical care to children and families, with an emphasis on outpatient care.











































