Children’s Minnesota’s extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program was recently awarded the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Gold Level Award for Excellence in Life Support, earning redesignation as an ELSO Center of Excellence.
The ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support recognizes ECMO programs worldwide that distinguish themselves by having processes, procedures and systems in place that promote excellence and exceptional ECMO delivery and care.
This prestigious recognition is a powerful reflection of the program’s unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care, strong multidisciplinary collaboration and continuous quality improvement.
About the Children’s Minnesota ECMO program
ECMO is a lifesaving treatment for the most critically ill babies, children and teens. When a child’s heart or lungs are unable to do their jobs, ECMO can take over temporarily with a mechanical blood pump and artificial lung. The treatment keeps blood flowing and carrying vital oxygen while the child’s body has a chance to recover.
The ECMO program at Children’s Minnesota is the largest provider of neonatal and pediatric ECMO in the state and has consistently received the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Award for Excellence in Life Support. This national award recognizes superior patient care, physician and staff training, continuing education, collaboration and communication.
Learn more about the program here.

