As CEO of one of the largest pediatric health systems in the country, I get asked my fair share of questions about the future of pediatrics and what changes I foresee.
But there’s an important question I don’t get asked. With a nod to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, I never hear, “What isn’t changing in pediatric health care?” And that’s where I want to start as we at Children’s Minnesota begin our second century of helping kids and families thrive.
What isn’t changing is children and families in our community need outstanding and compassionate health care. What also isn’t changing is our commitment to deliver that care.
In fact, our commitment to children and families has remained basically unchanged over the past century. The leaflet below is evidence. It was printed by us in 1928, when we were “The Children’s Hospital” in St. Paul. We still serve young people exclusively. We still provide specialty care in a wide range of areas. We still help children no matter their ability to pay.
The Childrens Hospital (Incorporated)
The Childrens Hospital is exclusively for children from birth to fifteen years of age.
The physical equipment is in every way complete for the diagnosis and treatment of children’s affections.
A full staff is in attendance representing all of the special fields of medicine and surgery as applied to children.
Research in the various fields of pediatrics will be undertaken.
The Childrens Hospital will cooperate closely with physicians referring cases for diagnosis and treatment.
The Childrens Hospital will give service at the lowest possible cost.
Children who cannot afford to pay, will be accepted if the payment of the minimum hospital charges is guaranteed.
Any earnings will go back into the institution to promote scientific work.
Physicians and nurses are cordially invited to visit the hospital and become acquainted with its facilities.
For further information address The Childrens Hospital, Inc., 311-315 Pleasant Ave., St. Paul, Minn.
Children are not small adults. That’s why there’s a hospital just for them.
Children are not small adults. But most hospitals are designed for adults—adults who require adult-sized accommodations, adult-level programs and adult care.
And that’s why Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center opened 14 years ago.
Minneapolis Children’s is a hospital designed for children—with programs and services based on their special needs. We have more than 600 health professionals from all medical disciplines, an additional 1,000 support staff members, and more than 1,600 volunteers who love children and are dedicated to their care.
So whether your child requires major surgery or just stitches, bring him to a hospital that treats him for what he is—a child.
Ask your doctor for more information, or call 863-6100.
What also isn’t changing: children require special care tailored to their needs, delivered by specially trained health care professionals. Kids are not little adults, like one of our ads (above) from the 1980s shows.
Considering these constants, we know Children’s Minnesota needs to be here always, to continue to provide outstanding care to kids and families in the Upper Midwest, even though in many areas of the country, access to pediatric care is shrinking.
What does change is the how. As the world changes around us, how do we ensure we will always be here for kids and families in our region?
By aspiring to be the region’s premier provider of specialized pediatric care. And how will we do that? By remaining, like we have for a century, an independent children’s health system that is financially sustainable. As an independent pediatric health system, we can always put kids first. We never have to choose between investing in our adult mission or our pediatric mission. Everything we earn goes right back into supporting the health of children.
How else will we aspire to be the region’s premier provider of specialized pediatric care? By creating exceptional experiences, not just for patients and families, but for our staff, and all the people we interact with throughout our community. Our kid experts already do this, and we will continue to improve every way we can.
As we look ahead to the next 10 years, these aspirations will guide everything we do. I’m excited to make them a reality. I’m excited to ensure that Children’s Minnesota will be here for the next century and beyond.
Marc Gorelick, MD
President, chief executive officer
Marc Gorelick, MD, is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Children’s Minnesota. He is deeply committed to advocacy issues that impact children’s health, sustainability and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
Learn more about his book, “Saving Our Kids: An ER Doc’s Common-Sense Solution to the Gun Crisis.” All proceeds from the book will be invested back into Children’s Minnesota gun violence prevention work.
Follow me on LinkedIn.
