OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois

03/05/2026

⏰ It’s almost time to spring forward… and that lost hour of sleep can hit kids hard.

Sudden time changes disrupt their internal clock, so small shifts work best.

Try these tips:
🌙 Move bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night leading up to the change
🌞 Wake kids 15 minutes earlier each morning
😌 Keep a simple, calming routine
📚 Dinner → Bath → Books → Bed
💤 A little prep now = smoother mornings next week.

Get more advice: https://bit.ly/40pjkLX

03/04/2026

⏰ Daylight Saving Time is almost here. Is your sleep schedule ready?

If you or your family struggle with the time change, try these simple bedtime tips to make the transition smoother.

🌙 Start shifting your sleep schedule a little each night
😌 Create a relaxing bedtime routine
📱 Reduce screen time before bed
🛏️ Make your sleep environment calm and comfortable

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3N3pLky

03/04/2026

Happening this Saturday! Don’t miss the Breakthrough T1D Central Illinois Community Summit at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center in Peoria.

🗓 Date: Saturday, March 7
⏰ Time: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
🥪 Light lunch provided for registered attendees

Join individuals and families impacted by Type 1 diabetes for a half-day of education, connection, and support. Highlights include:

🍳 Keynote from Chef Melissa Walnock
🧠 Expert insights on healthy body and mind with Dr. Michael Harris
💬 T1D panel discussion moderated by Valorie Campbell, RN
🎨 Kids Zone staffed by pediatric diabetes professionals
🛍 Vendor village with diabetes tools and resources

📌 Register today and secure your spot: https://www.breakthrought1d.org/illinois/events/communitysummit-centralillinois/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQUDkxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenYUCNbL6hBP2YDyysqPGHB_TuSbkps0rCvf_JLs3NJ0V-Tj-hbyWqw1XKms_aem_J6wN-989sAAO502iL1iCgw

Illinois Community Summit- Central Illinois Jump Trading Center (1306 North Berkeley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603) Join us for a free educational summit- in partnership with OSF- PDRC, that brings the T1D community together. Learn about research advances, participate in discussions with experts, and mee...

02/27/2026

🏀 More Than a Game 💙

Saturday’s Bradley Braves Athletics vs. Illinois State game wasn’t just about rivalry - it was about community, compassion and making a difference.

During the game, the brothers of Sigma Nu presented a check to Almost Home Kids at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. This donation is the result of months of fundraising and dedication to supporting kids and families beyond campus.

Almost Home Kids provides transitional care and support for children with ongoing medical needs and their families. Learn more: https://www.osfhealthcare.org/hospitals/childrens/programs-services/almost-home-kids

Thank you to Sigma Nu and everyone who helped make this generous gift possible! 📸

02/27/2026

📚✨ Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and National Read Across America Day starting Monday, March 2!

It’s a week all about fostering a love of reading and literacy for our young patients. We’re collecting new children’s books to help brighten hospital days.

Here’s what we’re looking for:
• Picture books for young readers
• Books with diverse characters like Alvin Ho or The Magnificent Makers
• Sound books for children with special needs
• Board books for our littlest future readers

Help us fill little hearts with big smiles.

Donate from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/334Z4FZWLIID7/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

📖💛

02/24/2026

❤️ We all know what a heartbeat sounds like, but sometimes it can make extra sounds.

Many heart murmurs in children are harmless, and some go away on their own with time. In some cases, though, they’re a sign of a heart condition.

👉 If you’re concerned about a heart murmur, talk to your child's pediatrician. https://bit.ly/3LHDgpl

02/24/2026

💙 Spotlight: Ernie Alboliras, MD, FACC, FASE, FAAP

This Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month, we’re highlighting Dr. Ernie Alboliras, a pediatric and fetal cardiologist at OSF HealthCare. He specializes in echocardiography and caring for children with heart conditions as well as those with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Dysautonomia.

With 40 years in pediatric cardiology and 5 years at OSF HealthCare, Dr. Alboliras is passionate about diagnosing and managing heart conditions from before birth through long-term recovery. He focuses on the child, not just the condition, partnering with families to help children regain control of their health, school, and activities.

💙 Learn more about Dr. Alboliras and his work in pediatric cardiology this Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month: https://www.osfhealthcare.org/providers/ernerio-alboliras-1998354

02/20/2026

Heart Month is about hope for every heartbeat. ❤️

At the Congenital Heart Center at OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, children and adults receive expert, compassionate care for complex heart conditions. With more than 50 years of experience, our team supports patients from diagnosis to recovery and beyond, providing some of the most comprehensive pediatric cardiology care in Illinois.

We’re grateful to our community for helping us continue this important work. Learn more about supporting the Congenital Heart Center: https://bit.ly/4k4tgmX

Support the Congenital Heart Center

02/20/2026

In this month’s Meg’s Marvels, hosted by Meg Zakrzewski, president of OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, a former patient and his father share their journey with our Congenital Heart Center. Their story spans two generations and reflects our commitment to care for every heart, big and small.

From early treatment to continued support into adulthood, see how our team walks alongside patients for life: https://www.osfhealthcare.org/hospitals/childrens/programs-services/cardiology

🎥 Watch now 👇

02/19/2026

At just 15 months old, Alexa was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, but her story doesn’t end there. After receiving life-saving care at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois, this courageous little girl is a survivor.

Brave kids. Bold care.

02/18/2026

🏀❤️ In case you missed it…

Our Pop-A-Shot event at Jump Simulation & Education Center made the news! 🎥

Thank you WMBD for highlighting this special day during Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

From friendly competition with our physicians to celebrating our overall champion, it was a great day for patients, families and our team!

Click to watch the full story and see the fun in action! 👇

OSF’s Children’s Center and the Congenital Heart Center hosted a basketball shooting event to raise awareness and celebrate congenital heart month, with donations going towards the Touc…

02/18/2026

We’re dedicated to providing the best care for you and your baby, even if a heart condition is found before birth.

Our Fetal Heart Program was created to offer every resource expectant families could need, including:

🥼 Expert evaluation and diagnosis
🤰 Delivery planning
👶 Newborn care after birth

To see all that we offer, visit:

The goal of our fetal heart program is to provide you and your baby with the most advanced cardiac care for any contingency, from utero to birth.