About | Shriners Children's

At Shriners Children’s, we are committed to reaching as many children as possible, wherever they may live, and offering them our unique, patient-centered, wraparound care.

For most of its history, our healthcare system has been known as Shriners Hospitals for Children. As we adapt to current nationwide trends in healthcare, especially the emphasis on outpatient care, and some locations become clinics or outpatient centers, we have introduced the phrase “Shriners Children’s.” It is shorter and more definitive – clearly stating who we are and what we care about. We are Shriners and our commitment is to Children. In today’s fast-paced world, this short phrase helps to succinctly and clearly define us.

Since opening our first hospital in 1922, we have been devoted to providing high-quality specialty medical care to the children and families who come to us, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. A century later, our commitment hasn’t changed — only expanded.

Our three-part mission has one goal: to change and improve lives. We do this by caring for our patients, conducting research to gain knowledge and develop new treatments, and providing educational opportunities for physicians and other healthcare professionals.

From One Location to Worldwide Reach

The members of the Shriners fraternity have always shared a desire to help those in need. In the late 1910s, as a polio epidemic swept across the United States, it was apparent that many children were going without appropriate care. So the Shriners established a children’s hospital to meet this need.

On May 12, 1922, thousands gathered to witness the placing of the cornerstone of the first Shriners Children's hospital, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The first patient – a little girl with clubfoot – was seen on Sept. 16, 1922, in a remodeled home adjacent to the Masonic temple while construction of the permanent hospital was underway.

What began as a single hospital is now a world-renowned and beloved healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. We are now providing hope and healing to more children in more places.

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Shriners Children's: A Culture of Innovation and Transformational Change

Having a combination of ways to access and provide care will lead to better care, better outcomes and a better vision for providing care in the future.

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Speaker 1:

Shriners Children's, a culture of innovation and transformational change. Change is a constant in today's fast paced world. It happens all around us all the time in every part of life and industry, including the medical field. One of the most important changes in medical care is the emphasis on outpatient care. Today outpatient care is the expectation of both providers and parents.

Places of change. We continue that tradition today at all of our locations, both hospitals and outpatient centers. Having a combination of ways to access and provide care will lead to better care, better outcomes and a better vision for providing care in the future. Today approximately a third of our facilities are operating as various models of outpatient centers. As a result, our expenses are down and our patient numbers are higher than ever. In 2021, we had more than 440,000 patient visits, the most ever.

One example of our new care model at work can be seen at our Twin Cities facility. Patients served by our Twin Cities location can now be seen at outreach locations in South Dakota, Nebraska and North Dakota, as well as in Minneapolis all on an outpatient basis. In addition, Shriner's physicians see Blank Children's patients at a Blank facility in Iowa sharing their particular medical expertise.

In 2021, the Twin Cities' outpatient facility and their other affiliated locations saw more than 8,000 patients, a global commitment. We also want to extend our reach internationally and transform the lives of children on a global scale. We have initiated a new international strategy beginning with increasing our presence in Canada and Mexico. We will continue to expand our commitment to provide care to children who need us wherever they may live and offer educational opportunities for the local medical professionals. We hope one day more of our international patients can be cared for closer to home.

Another opportunity we are actively pursuing is establishing a physician's group. This will give us the flexibility to have our doctors where they are most needed at any given time. Having our own physicians group will allow our physicians to work seamlessly throughout our system with the ability to move easily from our hospitals to outpatient facilities, even across state lines. We will be able to see our patients wherever they are.

Changing care through research. Driven by new knowledge research has the potential to provide improved treatments and is a long range way of transforming care and lives. In 2022, our corporate research department is managing 90 projects across the healthcare system. Notable areas of research include motion analysis and genomics. This year for the first time ever our Mexico hospital is participating in one of the studies. That is exciting and will expand our potential even further.

Keeping our care traditions. Innovation and change are part of the fabric and history of Shriners Children's, but they aren't everything. We continue our traditions of seeing patients throughout their childhood to provide close, ongoing relationships between patients, families and their medical team. We will always be mindful of our mission to provide high quality safe care in a nurturing family centered environment, regardless of the family's ability to pay for services. We are committed to our signature wraparound care, which seeks to consider the overall wellbeing of our patients and give them every possible resource to achieve their goals and believe in their dreams, and become as confident and independent as possible. Able to take their place in society with grace, community and purpose.

This is an exciting time for Shriners Children's. We have a unique opportunity to stand out as a true leader in pediatric healthcare. One able to offer both transformational change and remain focused on our traditions of mission and purpose.

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Hope and Healing

Today, Shriners Children’s offers care for a range of orthopedic conditions, as well as care for burn injuries, craniofacial conditions, spine care and spinal cord injuries, and sports medicine. Our experienced, innovative and dedicated teams work together to provide treatment to help each patient meet their goals and reach their full potential.

At Shriners Children's, we are grateful for the vision of the Shriners that led to the creation of our healthcare system. We look forward to a second hundred years of changing and improving the lives of children.

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Our Core Values

At Shriners Children's, we are committed to improving children's lives every day. Our compassionate, wrap-around care envelops each patient in a supportive and loving environment that helps them thrive.

Excellence

Strive to effectively and efficiently provide services. Continuously seek improvement opportunities.

Innovation

Continuously seek to improve the services we provide and be a leader in specialty pediatric health care.

Commitment

Actively promote Shriners Children's vision, mission and strategic plan.

Integrity

Assume responsibility for doing the right and just thing in all situations. Is honest, conscientious and accountable in all aspects of work.

Teamwork

Recognize the worth of each co-worker as a valuable member of the team. Place the good of the team ahead of personal objectives and work together to achieve the vision of Shriners Children's.

Stewardship

Responsibly manage and apply our resources to maximize the benefit to our patients, their families, employees, fraternity members and donors.

Respect

Value all individuals. Adhere to all governing rules and regulations, and embrace the culture and traditions of Shriners Children's. Demonstrate respect for self and others.

Our Mission

Shriners Children's is committed to compassionate, high-quality care that improves children's lives, in a family-centered and collaborative environment.

Explore Our Mission

Personalized Care

Shriners Children's collaborative, family-centered approach to care helps children rise to their full potential.

Learn About Our Personalized Care

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Leadership

The insightful strategy and guidance of our leadership team and Boards drive the Shriners Children's mission and operational performance. Their direction helps us fulfill our mission of enhancing quality of life for children and their families.

Meet Our Leaders