University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

We performed our first pediatric cochlear implant procedure in 1987. Since then, hundreds of children have received cochlear implants at our hospital.

Discover how our otolaryngologists—ear, nose, and throat specialists—are providing treatments that draw from the clinical, research, and training programs of one of the top otolaryngology departments in the world: http://spr.ly/61873tirv

Born prematurely, Liam spent 167 days in our neonatal ICU, receiving care from multiple specialists. Our hospital has the largest NICU in the state and is Iowa’s only Level 4 NICU, which means we’re equipped to care for the smallest and sickest infants like Liam. 💛

“At 2 years old, we still face challenges and frequent the hospital, but the support and love these doctors and medical team have for my son… it’s beautiful,” says Liam’s mom.

Injuries related to TV and furniture tip-overs occur more often than you think. Take the following steps to ensure that the TVs and furniture in your household are set up safely and securely:

▪Properly place older-style TVs
▪Secure flat-panel TVs onto a wall
▪Apply brackets and braces for support
▪Rearrange household items as needed
▪Install safety features to furniture

Learn more: http://spr.ly/61813sKk3

Thank you to GreenState Credit Union for its recent donation of $50,000. 💛

This gift will be put towards the Extenuating Circumstances Fund, which supports patients and families with items like gas cards, food, hotel stays, and other items of necessity. The hope is that this assistance will allow parents to be more present with their children during their stay at our hospital.

Time is running out to submit a nomination for our Kid Captain program! Parents and legal guardians have until March 20 to nominate their child for the 2023 season.

The Kid Captain program is open to any current or former University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital patient 18 years of age or younger. For details and to submit a nomination, visit: http://spr.ly/61843qaWK

Less than 24 hours after being born at a local hospital in Bettendorf, Kane was transferred to our hospital to treat a congenital heart defect that blocked blood flow to his lower body. Our pediatric cardiologists performed surgery on Kane to correct the issue. His bumpy start ended with a smooth recovery due to continuous care from his medical team, including the nurses in our pediatric ICU.

“Without your amazing medical staff we wouldn’t have him with us today!” his mom says. “Not enough thanks could ever be given.”

We’re happy to report that Kane is now a healthy, thriving boy who will soon turn 2 years old this March. 💛

Drew’s Lamp is a special lighting fixture in our patient rooms inspired by, and named in honor of, former patient Drew Wall. Patients can choose from 11 different settings and seven different colors to customize each of the seven cubes. It’s just one of our efforts to give the option of control to our patients when so much is out of their control. 💡💛

Our nurses and Child Life specialists continuously work to make holidays special for pediatric patients like Hadley. Today was no exception. ❤️

Today the University of Iowa Adolescent and Young Adult - AYA Cancer Program is making things extra sweet for several of our patients with heart-themed cookie kits to decorate while receiving treatment. Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕

Learn more about how the AYA Cancer Program is addressing the needs of young people as they navigate their cancer journey: http://spr.ly/61823WwOp

Crew was just 28 days old when he was flown from Des Moines to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital due to a serious lung condition and congenital heart defect.

Over the course of many weeks, Crew was treated by experts in cardiology, neonatology, and ophthalmology, while his parents were informed of every step taken to make him healthier.

Crew was discharged after 111 days in the neonatal intensive care unit and still visits the hospital for appointments at their specialty clinics.

Thank you to everyone who took part in Iowa State Dance Marathon and raised $161,328.26 this year for pediatric patients and families at our hospital! We appreciate your continued support.💛

Crew was just 28 days old when he was flown from Des Moines to our hospital due to a serious lung condition and congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus. Over the course of many weeks, Crew was treated by our experts in cardiology, neonatology, and ophthalmology, while his parents were informed of every step taken to make him healthier.

“Not only are they the most knowledgeable in their specialties, but they have the biggest hearts for even the tiniest of babies,” says Jessica Comstock, Crew’s mom.

Crew was discharged to go home after 111 days in our neonatal intensive care unit and still comes back frequently for appointments at our specialty clinics. 💛

Scalds are the most common cause of burn injury in children. Protect kids from scalds and burns around the house with the following tips:

▪️When bathing your child, be sure to run your hand through the water to ensure there are no hot spots
▪️Avoid a dangerous balancing act—don’t hold a child while carrying hot foods or liquids
▪️Never hold a child while cooking
▪️Establish a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried

Molly recently underwent four oral surgeries within 11 days at our hospital to treat a rare bacterial infection that developed after a routine wisdom teeth removal. The months-long infection limited her ability to compete and practice with her local swim team. To help cheer her up, members of the University of Iowa Swimming and Diving team, including head coach Nathan Mundt, made a surprise visit to wish Molly well before she was discharged. 💛

Do you know if your school has a cardiac emergency action plan (EAP)? Having a comprehensive EAP may save the life of a student, staff member, parent, or visitor who experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

Discover how we’re working with schools like Liberty High School to equip local communities with life-saving education and planning as part of Project ADAM: Iowa Heartland: http://spr.ly/61873ik9t

Amazing! Another successful University of Iowa Dance Marathon is in the books with $1,174,008 raised to support our pediatric cancer and bone marrow transplant patients and their families. Thank you to everyone involved in Dance Marathon this year. 💛

Timeline photos

Today on , we recognize Michelle Howard, PhD (right), and her lab at the University of Iowa for the work they are doing to develop new treatments for a currently incurable pediatric cancer, DIPG.

✅ Consistently ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
✅ Iowa’s only nationally-ranked children’s hospital
✅ Proud to care for Iowans

Tune in today to the 17th Annual Call for Kids with Cancer Radiothon, supporting University of Iowa Dance Marathon and our patients battling pediatric cancer. Listen to Doug Wagner and Simon Conway throughout the day on Newsradio 600 WMT, WHO Radio, WOC 1420 AM, and iHeartRadio. There are three easy ways to donate:

▪️Call 1-800-456-2772
▪️Text call4kids to 5155
▪️Donate online: http://spr.ly/61873g6RT

Thank you to the whole iHeartRadio team for your support! 💛

Warmer days are ahead, Iowa. ☀️

Nominations for the 2023 Kid Captain season are officially open!

In partnership with the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Kid Captain program features stories of strength, courage, and inspiration shown by current and former patients. Parents and legal guardians have until March 6 to nominate their child for the Kid Captain program: http://spr.ly/61803da98

Formula feeding your baby can raise a variety of questions, including which formula to use and what to do if your baby is not tolerating a type of formula. Check out these tips from our experts for the most successful formula feeding experiences: http://spr.ly/61893bCe1

Winter safety tips

Winter in Iowa can be a wonderful time for kids, but it’s important to be aware of the risks.

Follow these tips from our safety expert, Pam Hoogerwerf, to help keep your family injury-free this winter!

http://spr.ly/61853brZW

Winter safety tips Accidental injuries are the leading cause of childhood death — more than all disease-related deaths combined. These tips from our doctors can help your family have a safe, injury-free winter.

Iowa doctor explains sudden cardiac arrest

Between 1,000 and 7,000 kids suffer cardiac arrest each year. Pediatric cardiologist Gary Beasley, MD, explains what cardiac arrest is, how to identify its signs, and what you can do to help: http://spr.ly/61853wR9P

Iowa doctor explains sudden cardiac arrest Dr. Gary Beasley, a pediatric cardiologist at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, explains sudden cardiac arrest, how to identify it and what you can do to help.

We cared for pediatric patients from all 99 counties in Iowa and almost every state in the U.S. last year. Where are you following us from?

Patients and families often wonder how their child will keep up with their school work during hospitalization. Megan Soliday, MA, is one of our five full-time educators who work with patients like Penelope to help them continue their education.

We’re happy to report that shortly after yesterday’s lesson, Penelope was discharged from our hospital and was able to go home. 💛

To make taking your child to the doctor convenient and easy, we offer 8️⃣ locations in eastern Iowa that offer pediatric primary care. At each location, you can make same-day appointments for sick visits and minor injuries, plus evening and weekend hours are available to fit your busy lifestyle. We have locations in the following cities:

📍Cedar Rapids
📍Coralville
📍Iowa City
📍Muscatine
📍North Liberty

Our pediatricians at these locations work closely with the pediatric specialists at our children’s hospital. Find more information about a location near you: http://spr.ly/61883X09q

Our hospital features the first Safety Store of its kind in Iowa.

We serve families from across Iowa by providing products and services to help keep kids safe. We offer low-cost child safety products such as passenger seats, in-home products, medical alert bracelets, as well as education on proper installation and use of safety-related products.

Learn More: http://spr.ly/61873XujN

UI Health Care first in state to use minimally invasive laser surgery for patients with epilepsy

Epilepsy can begin at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in young children. Despite the dangers children with epilepsy face, many parents are hesitant to consider surgical intervention.

Neurosurgeon Brian Dlouhy, MD, is hoping to change that with a new, minimally invasive surgery that uses a laser to precisely destroy affected tissue. Learn more: http://spr.ly/61873VnlT

UI Health Care first in state to use minimally invasive laser surgery for patients with epilepsy Nearly one in three people who have epilepsy could benefit from surgery, yet they are often held back by a fear of the risks of an open craniotomy. It may take years of debilitating seizures and multiple failed medication attempts before they are referred to a surgeon. 

Can parents lessen the chances of their children getting a cold or the flu? Yes!

Use these six tips to help keep kids healthy and less apt to spread contagious sicknesses:

🦠 Have kids wash their hands frequently at home and school
🦠 Indoors or outdoors, get active
🦠 Get plenty of sleep
🦠 Eat a well-balanced diet
🦠 Decrease stress
🦠 Avoid germy sharing

For more details: http://spr.ly/61813Vrp3

Did you know we have a children’s library located in our lobby on Level 1? 📚

The Janice and Bruce Ellig Children’s Library offers books, movies, music, tech-related gear, and more for pediatric patients to enjoy while they receive care at our hospital.

Discover all our library’s resources: http://spr.ly/61833pcOf

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in young athletes. SCA happens when a child or adult experiences a sudden collapse because blood isn’t reaching the lungs or brain.

Having a comprehensive cardiac emergency action plan in place can save the life of a student, staff member, parent, or visitor who experiences SCA. Discover how our pediatric cardiologists are working with Project ADAM: Iowa Heartland to equip local communities with life-saving education and planning: http://spr.ly/61853p9DT

Do you know the questions to ask when you’re considering a pediatrician? Consider these helpful guidelines for selecting the right doctor for your child: http://spr.ly/61873TrWR

UI Health Care treats Dyersville family’s wide range of specialty care issues all in one place

“We walked through so many doors with so many doctors and our outcomes have always been the best they could be.”

For the Hall family of Dyersville, Iowa, the past couple of years have been challenging as four family members have dealt with significant health issues. Everyone in the family is doing well now after treatment within nearly a dozen specialty care divisions at both our hospital and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

Discover how they were able to get the care they needed, all one place: http://spr.ly/61833rNEX

UI Health Care treats Dyersville family’s wide range of specialty care issues all in one place For Ashley and Nate Hall’s family, the past couple years have been challenging. One after another, four different family members were diagnosed with a new health issue within a span of about a year.

Choosing the right hospital for your sick child is an important decision. As part of an academic medical center, our hospital performs groundbreaking research to help solve and treat childhood diseases and is the only nationally-ranked children’s hospital in Iowa. Learn more: http://spr.ly/61893PfUU

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2022 a memorable year. Take a look back at a few of our favorite moments. 💛

The wind vanes in our Gerdin Family Lobby celebrate Iowa’s heritage by featuring the names of some of our patients' hometowns.

We are proud to treat patients from all 99 Iowa counties and almost every U.S. state.💛

A throwback to when Santa Claus visited pediatric patients in the children’s ward at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in 1920. 🎅