Stronger Together: Children’s Hospitals During COVID-19 is a photo series dedicated to capturing the effect of the pandemic on children’s hospitals. The series highlights children’s hospitals ability to adapt and overcome. Whether it is drive-thru clinics reducing in-hospital contact or nurses taking time to sew masks in the face of a PPE shortage, children’s health care providers continue to deliver the highest quality of care throughout the pandemic.
Photo: Juan Pulido
Children's Health, Dallas | Texas
New Heart, All Smiles
Miles is all smiles hanging out with his parents in the Heart Center pediatric cardiology unit. Miles is the 300th recipient of a heart transplant at Children's Medical Center Dallas and nearing his discharge date.
Though some services and elective surgeries across the health care system were placed on hold early in the pandemic, procedures like Miles’ heart transplant and other life-sustaining care continued.
Photo: Kenson Noel
Children's National Hospital | Washington, D.C.
Connecting with His Newborn
A father and his baby enjoy skin to skin contact in the NICU at Children's National Hospital.
Photo: John Martin-Eatinger
Advocate Children’s Hospital | Oak Lawn, Illinois
Photo: Brian Hill
Arkansas Children's | Little Rock, AR
Photo: Unknown
Children's Hospital Los Angeles | California
PPE Takes Center Stage
A Children's Hospital Los Angeles team member masking up for duty.
Photo: Lori Wilson
Children's Health, Dallas | Texas
White Coats for Black Lives
Physicians, system leadership and staff kneel on a skybridge at Children’s Medical Center Dallas hospital for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in response to the death of George Floyd. This was a part of the physician organized, national White Coats for Black Lives event.
In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans renewed a conversation on racial inequality in America. This display was to show solidarity with communities on the margins of society and pledge to provide an equal quality of care to all.
Photo: Christopher Phillips
Children's Minnesota | Minneapolis
Bringing the Fair to Patients’ Rooms
Even though the Minnesota state fair was canceled due to COVID-19, the Child Life team was undeterred in bringing many of the most popular fair activities to patients in its Minneapolis and Saint Paul hospitals. To create caricatures, the team arranged for an artist to video chat with patients.
With the artist live via tablet, the Child Life team was able to virtually bring him into every child’s room as he sketched their likenesses. The best part was the reveal, when the kids would erupt in laughter at the funny ways they had been depicted! Every child received their actual caricature.
Photo: Stephen Travarca
Cleveland Clinic Children's | Ohio
Finding New Ways to Care, Connect
For more than 100 years, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation has provided children with a tailored treatment mix to overcome medical challenges.
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida
No graduation? No problem.
Sharing the pomp and circumstance of graduation with the people she cares about meant a lot to Anniebell Wallace, a patient care technician at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and first member of her family to graduate college.
When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the fanfare she wanted her dad to witness, she thought about her colleagues in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Laura's nursing pin was supposed to be presented by her dad who recently died. Additionaly, 13 members of her team earned associate's, bachelor's, and master's commencement celebrations. Wallace shared the idea to hold their own socially distanced graduation ceremony down the long hallway in the NICU.
Others rallied to join the cause. Others rallied to join the cause. Nurses helped with decorations and food. When the physicians caught word, they pitched in to cover costs. Nearly everyone helped in some way.
Wallace made face masks to match the school colors for the University of South Florida, Southern New Hampshire, Johns Hopkins University, Pinellas Technical College, Southeastern University and St. Petersburg College.
“It definitely wasn’t the graduation they imagined but it was a celebration surrounded by a work family who are so proud of what they all have accomplished,” Ball says.
As the song ‘Ain't No Stoppin Us Now’ blared from a handheld wireless speaker, the graduates strutted past staff members who lined the long hallway. The graduates' family and friends got to watch the ceremony streamed live.
Photo: Cindy Brodoway
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children | Wilmington, Delaware
A Promise to All Children
Providers came together, led by a group of physicians across all of Nemours Children's Health System, to kneel in solidarity with the fight against racial injustice. In the moment of reflection, these providers confirmed their promise to children everywhere to do whatever is within their power to give them a bright, safe and healthy future.
Photo: Lori Wilson
Children's Health, Dallas | Texas
A Lesson in Hand Washing
Azyriah washes her hands in her room at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Azyriah, and other patients with weakened immune systems are handwashing professionals.
Photo: Timothy Seed
Advocate Children's Hospital | Oak Lawn, Illinois
Cubs Supporting Kids
A child life specialist at Advocate Children's Hospital coordinates a virtual call between Chicago Cubs player Alec Mills and patient.
Photo: Unknown
The Children's Hospital at Montefiore | Bronx, New York
Pediatric Providers Caring for Adults
Over the course of two weeks in March, COVID-19 cases at Montefiore Health System grew from two to almost 700. As the health system looked to increase capacity, various spaces at the children’s hospital transformed to care for adult patients and programs adapted to support patients, families and associates.
By late 2020, providers at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) providers treated over 160 adult patients, with the oldest being over 80 years of age.
This is 30-year-old Jonathan Delemos.
Jonathan spent 53 days in the CHAM PICU, many of these days in an induced coma. Jonathan returned to the CHAM PICU to personally thank the staff who saved his life.
Photo: Christopher Phillips
Children's Minnesota | Minneapolis
Adapting, Expediting Care
The pandemic led to parents’ reluctance to bring their children into a health care setting. To ensure its kids and community stay safe, Children’s Minnesota adapted by providing drive-up vaccinations. No one has to leave their car, and kids don’t even have to unfasten their seatbelt.
Photo: Allen S. Kramer
Texas Children's Hospital | Houston, TX
Photo: Ed Cunicelli
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
Photo: Kayla Bertucci
Children's Hospital New Orleans | New Orleans, LA
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo: Ted Stevens
Akron Children's Hospital | Ohio
Eye Protection is in
During any direct patient care encounter, Akron Children's health care workers now wear eye protection. This keeps them in line with the CDC's recommendation to help reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Photo: Neil Crosby
East Tennessee Children's Hospital | Knoxville
Disinfect to Protect
An environmental services director disinfects a toddler table at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
Photo: Jessica Lynn
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU | Virginia
A Pandemic Won’t Slow Him Down
Behind Avrian's mask is a big smile. He has joined the fight against COVID-19 and proudly wears his mask during occupational therapy. Children's Hospital of Richmond is proud of its kids for adapting to this new normal and continuing to meet their therapy goals even during the pandemic.
Photo: Eric Gray
Children's of Alabama | Birmingham, AL
Photo: Nelson Zeledon
Children's Hospital of Orange County | Orange, CA
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo: Jeffrey Sherman
Valley Children's Healthcare | Madera, California
Photo: Mat Vido
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford | Palo Alto, California
Kids Turned TV Producers
Since it opened in 2018, Sophie’s Place Broadcast Studio, part of the Child Life and Creative Arts Department at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, has offered a fun distraction for patients during their hospital stay.
The studio team quickly adapted their programming. Knowing patients would be spending even more time in their rooms, the broadcast studio team increased their programming from two to three shows per day, including weekends. They brought tablets to patients, allowing kids to co-host live shows from their rooms. They also broadcast interactive games, like Bingo, where patients can play in real time on their smartphones or in-room tablet.
Photo: Greg Campbell
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital | Memphis, Tennessee
Photo: Maggie Jackson
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare | St. Paul, Minnesota
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo: Michael Goderre
Boston Children's Hospital | Massachusetts
A Well-Earned Break
Nurses take a short break on the roof garden at Boston Children's Hospital.
Photo: Jason Towlen
Children's Specialized Hospital | New Brunswick, New Jersey
Photo: Joe Hallisy
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital | Ann Arbor, Michigan
Thumbs Up for Patient Safety
A young cystic fibrosis patient is seen in the pulmonology clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing patient safety.
Photo: Mike Dickbernd
Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health | Indianapolis
Dinosaurs Are Motivation
Jeremiah was fitted for his first wheelchair at Riley Children’s Health.
While Jeremiah learned to move around in his new chair, his occupational therapist held a toy dinosaur to help encourage Jeremiah to push his chair close to her. Jeremiah quickly learned how to push the wheels to get to the toy dinosaur.
Photo: Unknown
Nemours Children's Hospital | Orlando, Florida
PPE Shortages Reached Every Provider
Nemours Children’s Hospital staff rolled their sleeves up to assist with sewing masks, making face shields on 3-D printers, accepting community donations of personal protection equipment, distribution of these items and anything else the situation required.
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo: Neil Crosby
East Tennessee Children's Hospital | Knoxville
Critical Care Continues
A nurse entertains and administers chemotherapy to toddler in Hematology/Oncology clinic at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
Photo: Margaret Chastain
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital | Maryland Heights, Missouri
Can-Do Spirit Makes One Patient Unstoppable
Before a spinal cord injury, Jeremiah played football, basketball and he boxed. He also was cultivating his drawing talents—specifically anime.
When Jeremiah arrived at Ranken Jordan a month after his injury, he was weak and admits to being scared and nervous. By the second day, he was out of his room socializing and ready to get stronger.
“I couldn’t do push-ups or get myself out of bed when I first came,” Jeremiah says. “But they motivate you here. rdquo;
Inspired by the team and his own determination, Jeremiah worked hard in physical therapy and greatly improved his upper body strength. Push-ups are a snap for him now.
Photo: Sarah Lassen
Scottish Rite for Children | Dallas, Texas
Who needs Superman?
One of the mottos of the pandemic has been "Not all heroes wear capes," and Scottish Rite for Children patient Nicolas agrees with that. He was so inspired by the heroes he saw working hard, he put aside superhero costumes and decided to dress up like the heroes around him.
Photo: Ben Castle
Driscoll Children's Hospital | Corpus Christi, Texas
Information Becomes Critical
Driscoll Children's Hospital physicians wait to be interviewed during a virtual press conference to discuss COVID-19.
Photo: Jayson White
Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital | Albany, New York
Teams Coming Together
Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical is home to the Melodies Center for childhood cancers and blood disorders. This team photo exemplifies the impact of COVID-19 on the nation's healthcare teams.
Photo: Jenny Myers
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Greenville | Greenville, South Carolina
Baking Cookies
As the world stopped and everyone had more free time, baking made for a good pastime. The Child Life team at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Greenville joined in on the fun and baked cookies with patients.
Photo: Rudy Lauletta
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A Touching Moment
This neonatal intensive care unit patient and nurse at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children share a smile before the baby getting his tubes changed.
Photo: Christopher Phillips
Children's Minnesota | Minneapolis
Finding Joy
In the operating room at Children’s Minnesota, a nurse in full personal protection equipment makes sure her smile shines through her mask and face shield.
Photo: Neil Crosby
East Tennessee Children's Hospital | Knoxville
Photo: Alvin J. Aquino/Melissa Keating
The Royal Children's Hospital | Melbourne, Australia
Even Newborns Can Video Chat
During the pandemic, The Royal Children's Hospital started Baby Chat, a virtual health program, to help families connect with their new baby while they are in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU).
Photo: Sarah Lassen
Scottish Rite for Children | Dallas, Texas
Clear Masks Are A Game Changer
The connection between mouth sounds and letter combinations is one of the hardest things to understand as a dyslexic student. Traditional masks created a learning barrier for students and instructors in the Scottish Rite for Children lab. To make sure students received the specialized instruction, safely and in a way that they could still see and imitate the mouth movements of the instructor, kids were equipped with clear masks.
Photo: Unknown
Kentucky Children's Hospital | Lexington
Spirit Week
The Adolescent Medicine team at Kentucky Children's Hospital had a back-to-school spirit week since students could attend classes in person. The event included crazy sock and crazy hair day.
Photo: Jaclyn Kronstedt
Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital Hackensack University Medical Center | Hackensack, New Jersey
Sanitation is the Priority
At the height of the pandemic, cleaning services and janitorial team members played an essential role in safety.
Photo: Chris Marksbury, CM Photos
Elizabeth Seton Children's Center | Yonkers, New York
Finding New Ways to Interact
Parents and guardians had not been able to visit their child at Elizabeth Seton Children's Center since March 13, 2020, when the governor's executive order banned nursing home visitation.
The center facilitated safe playground visits.
While it was heartbreaking for families to not be able to kiss, hug or hold their child, the fact that no child at Elizabeth Seton Children's Center has tested positive for the virus during the pandemic provided them with peace of mind.
Photo: Allen S. Kramer
Texas Children's Hospital | Houston, TX
Photo: Jason DeLaCruz
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Galveston | Galveston, TX
Photo: Unknown
Rady Children's Hospital | San Diego, California
Photo: Edgar Estrada
Nicklaus Children's Hospital | Miami, FL
Photo: Cindy Brodoway
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children | Wilmington, Delaware
Expanding Testing
The duPont Hospital for Children set up mobile COVID testing stations for their patients and partnered with local officials to offer testing for first responders.
Photo: Brad Smith
Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, Ohio
Photo: Sarah Pack
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital | Charleston, South Carolina
Stepping into the Unknown
Pediatric infectious diseases specialist Allison Eckard, M.D., and Andrew Atz, M.D., cardiologist and chairman of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina consult on treatment for a patient diagnosed with MIS-C, a COVID-19 complication.
Photo: Joe Cascio
John R. Oishei Children's Hospital | Buffalo, New York
Photo: Lindsay McMurtray
Children's of Mississippi | Jackson
Remote Schooling
A hospital schoolteacher at Children's of Mississippi helps a patient stay up to date with lessons.
Photo: Christian Berg
Shriners Hospitals for Children | Shreveport, Louisiana
Sometimes PPE Can be Fun
Fischer is decked out in personal protection equipment and ready for action.
Not content with simply wearing a mask, the animated 5-year-old opted for full protective garb as part of his preoperative medical play with a Shriners Hospitals for Children child life specialist. The engaging play session was designed to help prepare Fischer for preoperative procedures including COVID-19 swab, IV placement and anesthesia masking.
Photo: Sue Brogna
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Boston | Boston, MA
Photo: Harlan Pine
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Portland | Portland, OR
Photo: Unknown
Wolfson Children's Hospital | Jacksonville, Florida
Grandpas Know Best
When 4-year-old Lucy was admitted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital to begin her fight against cancer, only her mother could accompany her due to COVID-19 visitation restrictions. But her mom wasn’t the only one there for Lucy.
The day Lucy was admitted, her grandfather drove to Jacksonville from Tallahassee to support them. So he could find the room, made a giant heart sign to put in the window. The next day, the grandfather bought supplies to make a giant heart of his own to let Jessica and Lucy know he was there for them.
Lucy came to the window every morning to wave to her grandfather. And every morning, he was there.
Photo: Sarah Lassen
Scottish Rite for Children | Dallas, Texas
Box Push Champion
When Artamus began the process of limb lengthening on his upper leg, his doctors at Scottish Rite for Children prepared him for the treatment to be physically and mentally difficult. As the bone is lengthened, the soft tissue, muscles and ligaments need to be strong and growing as well, which means resting and taking it easy isn't an option.
Artamus is doing everything in his power to have the best outcome, and that includes working hard during physical therapy, even with his mask on.
Photo: Imelda Vera
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Houston | Houston, TX
Photo: Allen S. Kramer
Texas Children's Hospital - Houston | Houston, TX
Photo: Rudy Lauletta
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photo: Kent Spiry
Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield | Springfield, Massachusetts
Everyone Gets Screened
As part of mandatory COVID-19 screening, all patients, staff and visitors’ temperatures are taken before entering the hospital—even Fezzy, the beloved mascot of Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Photo: Allyn DiVito
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital | St. Petersburg, Florida