Hailey Tran
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 first Shriners Hospital, established in 1922, was called the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. The name was changed in 1996 to Shriners Hospital for Children, as the old name no longer reflected the patients as most of them were children crippled by polio. The hospital's chairman, Gene Bracewell, stated that medical advancements had made conditions that once crippled children treatable and correctable. Shriners Hospitals are known for providing free medical care for children who would otherwise go without, and they have expanded their services to include burn care, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate treatments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous name | Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children |
| New name | Shriners Hospital for Children |
| Reason for name change | The old name no longer reflected the patients as most of them were children crippled by polio in the past. Advances in medical technology meant that conditions that would have caused permanent disability in the past are now treatable and correctable. |
| Year of name change | 1996 |
| Number of hospitals in the network | 18 |
| Year of establishment | 1922 |
| Founder | W. Freeland Kendrick |
| Type of hospitals | Non-profit |
| Specialty | Orthopaedic care, cleft lip and palate, spinal cord injuries, burns |
| Age limit for patients | Care is usually provided until age 18, sometimes extended to 21 |
| Parent organization | Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine |
| Parent organization's type | Freemasonry-related |
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What You'll Learn
The original name reflected the patients it served at the time
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 original name was the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, reflecting the patients it served at the time. The first hospital in the system opened on 16 September 1922, providing orthopaedic care.
The hospital was established to treat orthopaedic injuries, diseases, and birth defects in children. It was supported by yearly donations from its members, and soon expanded from a single hospital to a network of hospitals across North America. By 1929, 13 more hospitals were in operation, and the number of orthopaedic hospitals eventually reached 19 with the opening of the Shriners Hospital in Tampa, Florida, in 1985.
The Shriners Hospitals were among the first children's specialty hospitals in North America, and their pioneering efforts have earned them an international reputation in orthopaedic medicine and research. They were also among the first to provide specialised orthopaedic services to children free of charge. The St. Louis hospital, constructed in 1924, served as a major centre for the study and research development in the treatment of physically challenged children.
In the 1990s, the Shriners Hospitals changed their name, dropping the word "crippled". This reflected the hospitals' expansion into other areas of paediatric care, such as burn care, and removed any negative connotations associated with the term. Gene Bracewell, chairman of the board for the hospitals, stated that the old name no longer reflected the patients as it did when the first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922, when most of its patients were children crippled by polio. With advancements in medical technology, conditions that once crippled children were now treatable and correctable.
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Advances in medical technology meant conditions were now treatable
Shriners Hospitals for Children, also 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, a Freemasonry-related organisation. Shriners Hospitals provide free medical care for children who would otherwise go without. They serve as major referral centres for complex and highly specialised orthopaedic treatments, as well as offering care for burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
The first Shriners Hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1922, originally named the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. The name was changed in 1996, when the chairman of the board for the hospitals, Gene Bracewell, stated that the old name no longer reflected the patients as it did when the hospital first opened. At that time, most patients were children crippled by polio. Advances in medical technology meant that conditions that might have once permanently crippled a child could now be treated and corrected. Peter F. Armstrong, chief of staff at the Shriners Hospital Intermountain Unit in Salt Lake City, observed that children who had been treated at the hospital were now able to run, ski, dance, and play sports.
Shriners Hospitals have been pioneers in burn treatment, and their research has led to many advances in burn care. The survival rate for children with burns over 50% of their total body surface area has doubled since the Shriners Hospitals specialising in burn care first opened. Today, these hospitals are saving the lives of children with burns over more than 90% of their body surface area. Improved surgical procedures and medical technology, along with the coordinated efforts of hospital staff, have contributed to this improved survival rate.
In addition to their medical care, Shriners Hospitals recognise the importance of tending to the child's sense of well-being and involve the family in the child's treatment. Their interdisciplinary medical team includes physicians, nurses, therapists, orthotic and prosthetic technicians, nutritionists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care for children with associated medical problems. Shriners Hospitals also conduct research to improve medical treatments and quality of life for children, contributing to the worldwide body of medical and scientific knowledge.
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The word crippled carried a stigma
The 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 Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children was established in 1919 to treat orthopaedic injuries, diseases, and birth defects in children. The first Shriners Hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1922, and by the end of that decade, 13 more hospitals were in operation.
The word "crippled" carried a stigma, and in the 1990s, Shriners Hospitals changed its corporate name, dropping this word. This move reflected the hospitals' expansion into burn care and other paediatric areas, but it also removed any negative connotations attached to the term "crippled". The chairman of the board for the hospitals, Gene Bracewell, stated that the old name no longer reflected the patients as it did when the first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922. At that time, most of its patients were children crippled by polio. However, with advancements in medical technology, conditions that once crippled children were becoming treatable and correctable. Peter F. Armstrong, chief of staff at the Shriners Hospital Intermountain Unit in Salt Lake City, emphasised that children who were once considered crippled could now run, ski, dance, and play sports.
The decision to drop the word "crippled" from the hospital's name was not just a matter of keeping up with the times and the changing nature of the hospital's work; it was also a conscious effort to address the stigma associated with the term. The word "crippled" has a long history of being used to describe individuals with physical disabilities, implying a loss of function or impairment. While the term was once commonly used to describe individuals with orthopaedic injuries or birth defects, it gradually took on negative connotations, suggesting a sense of brokenness or incompleteness.
The shift away from the term "crippled" reflects a broader societal movement towards more respectful and empowering language when referring to individuals with disabilities. The use of terms like "disabled" or "physically challenged" emerged as preferred alternatives, reflecting a recognition of the social and environmental barriers that often limit individuals with physical impairments. This shift in language aims to emphasise the capabilities and potential of individuals rather than focusing on their limitations.
By removing the word "crippled" from its name, Shriners Hospitals demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and sensitivity. This change not only reflected the evolving nature of their work but also contributed to a more positive and empowering perception of individuals with disabilities. It is important to recognise that language plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and perceptions. The decision to drop the term "crippled" from the hospital's name was a step towards creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for individuals with disabilities.
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The Shriners' public image was fun-loving and unserious
Shriners International, formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. The Shriners Hospitals for Children, commonly known as Shriners Children's, is a network of non-profit children's hospitals and other paediatric medical facilities across North America. The Shriners founded their philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children, in 1922, and it has since become one of the largest paediatric subspecialty healthcare systems in the world.
The Shriners' public image has been shaped by their commitment to fun and fellowship, as well as their distinctive attire and symbolism. They are known for their red fezzes and regalia featuring camels, pyramids, the Sphinx, and other ancient Egyptian and Arabian motifs. This Middle Eastern-inspired iconography reflects the organisation's origins as a social club with a mysterious Near Eastern theme. The Shriners' light-hearted and playful approach to fraternity is also evident in their annual Shrine Circus fundraisers and their former association with singer and actor Justin Timberlake, with whom they hosted a PGA Tour golf tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Shriners' dedication to fun and fellowship is also reflected in their commitment to socialising and camaraderie within the organisation. They emphasise the importance of family, hosting events that include spouses, children, and grandchildren, and fostering lifelong friendships among members. The Shriners' culture values social connections and encourages members to customise their involvement to align with their personalities and hobbies. This emphasis on enjoyment and camaraderie has contributed to their public image as a fun-loving and unserious organisation.
While the Shriners' light-hearted approach to fraternity may seem playful and harmless, it has also drawn criticism. Some have characterised the Shriners as "frat boys" or likened them to drunken revellers at a party. There have been reports of disrespectful behaviour, such as groping and making inappropriate comments, which contrasts with the organisation's stated values of brotherhood, compassion, and generosity.
Despite these criticisms, the Shriners' public image as a fun-loving group is not merely a facade. Their commitment to fun is accompanied by a serious dedication to their philanthropy, the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The hospitals provide free medical care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the patients' ability to pay. The Shriners' network of hospitals has earned an international reputation for excellence in paediatric orthopaedic medicine and burn care, saving the lives of children with severe burn injuries and improving the quality of life for those with orthopaedic conditions.
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The Shriners wanted to encourage more people to use their hospitals
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 Shriners Hospitals for Children system was created in 1922 with the opening of its first hospital, which provided orthopaedic care. The Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children was constructed in 1924 as the first Shriners' Hospital in Missouri, one of seventeen such early hospitals in the country. The building was the largest and most centrally located unit of the Shriners' Hospital system. The Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children was the predecessor to the current Shriners Children's St. Louis.
In the 1990s, Shriners Hospitals changed its corporate name, dropping the word "crippled". This move reflected the hospitals' expansion into burn care and other paediatric areas, and it also removed any stigma that might be attached to the term. The Shriners wanted to encourage more people to use their hospitals, and they recognised that appearances and public perception mattered. The organisation faced the challenge of convincing more people to take advantage of what the Shriners Hospitals offered. The Shriners, with their red fezzes and motorcycle clown brigades, had unintentionally cultivated a public image of a fun-loving and unserious group. Additionally, people wanted the highest quality healthcare for their children, and many assumed that free medical care must lack quality. Starting in the 1980s, Shriners Hospitals worked to change this perception and drive up demand for its services.
The Shriners Hospitals provide free medical care for children who would otherwise go without. They serve as major referral centres for complex and highly specialised orthopaedic treatments, as well as burn care and other areas of paediatric medicine. The hospitals' medical staffs include paediatricians, urologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, geneticists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care for children with associated medical problems. The Shriners Hospitals have achieved impressive results, such as doubling the survival rate for children with burns over 50% of their total body surface area.
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Frequently asked questions
The Shriners Hospitals dropped 'Crippled' from their name to reflect the hospitals' expanding range of services, including burn care and other paediatric areas. The word was also dropped to remove the stigma attached to the term.
The Shriners Hospitals were previously known as the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
The name change took place in the 1990s, with the Salt Lake City hospital making the switch in 1996.
The hospitals are now known as Shriners Hospitals for Children or Shriners Children's.
