Our History

Serving the nation’s children for more than 155 years, Children’s National Hospital has been an innovator in pediatric healthcare around the nation and around the world.

Children’s National was one of the nation's first children’s hospitals, opening in 1870 and growing from a modest 12-bed facility to a 323-bed facility that performs more than 17,000 surgeries and conducts more than 649,000 outpatient visits in more than 60 specialties each year.

Formerly referred to as D.C. Children’s Hospital, Children’s National is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Today, the health system includes primary care health centers, regional outpatient centers, and affiliated pediatric primary and specialty care practices throughout the metropolitan area, in addition to providing tertiary care in our main hospital. Additionally, we’re home to the Children’s National Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, as well as the Heart and Lung Center, the Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, the Brain Tumor Institute and the IDEAL Obesity Program.

Throughout our history, we have witnessed tremendous growth and change in pediatric healthcare. The current marketplace is in the midst of unprecedented change, and Children's National is committed to staying in front of the curve.

Timeline

2011 to present

2025

For the 9th straight year, Children's National is named one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
For the fourth time, Children’s National Hospital has been designated as a Magnet^® hospital by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program^®.

2024

For the 8th straight year, Children's National Hospital is named one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
HSC specialty hospital and therapy centers were renamed Children’s National Rehabilitation & Specialized Care. The health plan continues under the name Healthcare Services for Children with Special Needs.

2023

Children's National Hospital ranks #5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and best in the Mid-Atlantic for neonatology, cancer, and neurology and neurosurgery.
Children’s National Hospital Receives $96 Million Investment for Rare Pediatric Brain Tumor Research & Care.
The Board of Children’s National selects Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, as its next president and CEO.

2022

Five leading children's hospitals secure $29M in federal funding to enhance future pandemic readiness.
A pediatric brain tumor first: Opening the blood brain barrier to deliver targeted therapies.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Children's National #5 in the nation and #1 in newborn care.

2021

National Institutes of Health awards Children’s National Hospital $6.7M to build out additional lab space at the new Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, preparing phase II.
Children’s National Hospital hosts First Lady and Dr. Fauci as they encourage families to get COVID vaccine.
Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus welcomes Rare Disease Institute as first occupant.
Children’s National Hospital and NIAID launch large study on long-term impacts of COVID-19 and MIS-C on kids.
For the fifth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranks Children's National a top 10 children’s hospital nationally and No.1 in newborn care.

2020

COVID-19 vaccine given to first wave of staff at Children's National Hospital.
Children’s National Hospital opens new health care center in Prince George’s County.
Children’s National Hospital creates community network to address racial health disparities for young children and families.
For the fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranks Children's National a top 10 children’s hospital nationally and No. 1 in newborn care.
A new, highly-specialized Colorectal Program opens its doors.

2019

Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Children's National Hospital announce a collaboration to launch JLABS @ Washington, DC at the new Children's National Research & Innovation Campus.
Virginia Tech and Children's National announce a partnership that will launch a Virginia Tech biomedical research facility on the new Research & Innovation Campus.
The first Washington-based Turner syndrome clinic opens its doors.
In collaboration with Children's National, Johns Hopkins Medicine opens the Proton Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, offering proton therapy to local pediatric and adult cancer patients.
The HSC Health Care System signs an agreement to integrate into the Children's National family.
Dr. Bear Bot, the new telehealth robot, is revealed on Valentine's Day in the cardiac intensive care unit to deliver robot-themed Valentine's Day cards to doctors and patients.
Whittle School & Studios launches a collaboration with the Telehealth Program.
Children's National ranks number 6 overall and number 1 for newborn care in U.S. News Best Children’s Hospitals top 10 list for a third year.

2018

U.S. News & World Reports ranks Children's National top 5 overall and number 1 for babies for the 2018-19 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll.
Renovations for the new Research & Innovation Campus begin on the former Walter Reed Medical Center Campus.
Children's National launches a new initiative to "Make March Matter," a campaign that invites local D.C. businesses to participate in raising $1 million to support healthcare for children.
A newly renovated child and adolescent inpatient psychiatry unit opens.
Sidney and Phyllis Bresler generously gift a cutting-edge virtual reality surgical system to improve surgical outcomes.

2017

Children’s National Rare Disease Institute (CNRDI) opens its doors.
The Bunny Mellon Healing Garden opens for patients and families seeking reflection and meditation in a safe outdoor setting. The Healing Garden was made possible by a multimillion-dollar gift from the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation and generous gifts from Heather and Andy Florance, the employees of CoStar Group and other donors.
The Dental Clinic celebrates its expansion with a newly renovated facility and state-of-the-art imaging and technology.
The Autism Behavioral Communications (ABC) Support team is formed to make the hospital more autism-friendly.
Children's National becomes the first pediatric medical institution in the U.S. to receive combined FACT accreditation for excellence in cellular immunotherapy.

2016

Second national summit is convened to advance mental healthcare for children.
Children's National launches "Grow Up Stronger" advertising campaign that speaks to the work we do, the families we support, and the kids we help.
Surgeons and scientists from Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's National Health System are the first to demonstrate that supervised, autonomous robotic soft tissue surgery on a live subject is feasible and outperforms standard clinical techniques.
Children's National launches new Congenital Zika Virus Program.

2015

Designated for a second time as a Magnet® hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery.
Grand opening of Seacrest Studios.
Becomes the first freestanding pediatric hospital to publish provider satisfaction ratings online.
New primary care offices open in Foggy Bottom and Capitol Hill.
Children's National doctors use MR-HIFU to destroy bone tumors without scalpels or needles.

2014

Fetal Medicine Institute (now the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute) opens its doors at Children's National.
Children's National convenes first-ever national summit to advance mental healthcare for children.
Washington Business Journal announces Children's National Health System as the most powerful brand and Kurt Newman, MD as one of the most admired CEOs in the Washington, DC metro region.
Children's National is designated as national Ebola-ready treatment center.
Children’s National launches a redesigned website to engage and inform patients and their families.
The first Sheikh Zayed Prize for Pediatric Device Innovation awards $50,000 in funding to two winners.

2013

Children’s redefines and repositions its brand, changing the logo and name for the first time since 1985 to Children’s National Health System, which reflects how we’re no longer just a hospital, but a comprehensive health system for kids—providing everything they need for their care, whether it is well visits, or a hospitalization.
One-of-a-kind Pain Medicine Care Complex, which revolutionizes the way children are treated for pain, opens.
Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex opens.

2011

New Cardiac Intensive Care Unit opens.
Blood and Marrow Transplantation opens a new outpatient unit.
Outpatient radiology facility, the Montgomery County Regional Outpatient Center, opens in Rockville, Md.
Seven new operating rooms open as part of a phased overhaul to the entire OR suites, bringing totals to 17 operating rooms and two GI procedure rooms.
New research space opens for the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, possible by a historic gift of $150 million from the government of Abu Dhabi - the largest gift ever made to support pediatric surgery, and one of the largest to any children's hospital.

2001 to 2010

2010

Full-service satellite emergency department completed at United Medical Center in Southeast.

2009

State-of-the-art 54-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit opens.
Children’s National Research Institute expands to increase research space atop the main building, allowing for researchers to better serve families with world-class bench-to-bedside care.
Sheikh Zayed Institute opens; the Institute is named in honor of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE and the country's president from 1971 until his death in 2004. The medical center's main campus, the Sheikh Zayed Campus for Advanced Pediatric Medicine, is also named in his honor.

2007

New East Inpatient Tower opens, enhancing the expert, family-centered care at Children’s.

1981 to 2000

1990

The new rooftop helipad with state-of-the-art safety features is dedicated.
The Ambulatory Infusion Center in the Department of Hematology/Oncology opens doors.
The Center for Prenatal Evaluation a joint endeavor with The George Washington University sees first patient.

1989

The Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders is dedicated.
Groundbreaking held for west wing addition, relocation of helipad and expansion of parking garage.
First heart Transplant performed on eleven-year-old girl.

1988

Kick-off of the National SAFE Kids Campaign.
First bone marrow transplant procedure performed.

1987

Facilities Enhancement Project approved and plans are made for additions and renovations.

1985

Special Immunology Team is established to treat HIV-infected patients and their families (now known as the HIV Prevention and Treatment Program).
First satellite medical center opens in Fairfax, Virginia, offering specialty consultative services.

1984

The helipad is dedicated after Children’s is named a regional pediatric trauma center.
ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) program begins.

1983

Children’s hosts first Children’s Miracle Network Telethon in conjunction with Osmond Foundation.

1981

Home Care program begins after Dr. Gloria Eng, chairman of Physical Medicine receives a one-year grant.

1961 to 1980

1978

Division of Child Protection established for cases of physical and sexual abuse.

1977

Patients are moved to new hospital.
Dedication is held for the new hospital.

1975

The first physicians specializing in critical care begin to provide care.

1970

Groundbreaking is held at 111 Michigan Avenue site.

1968

Children’s Board of Directors decides to relocate and build a new hospital.
The first exclusive pediatric internship is established.
Affiliation finalized with George Washington University. Children’s now has a formal university relationship.

1967

The Comprehensive Health Care Program begins.

1964

The new outpatient department, an intensive care unit and an open heart surgery program are established.

1963

Pediatric Surgery is established as a discipline and the surgery training program is initiated.

1962

Hearing and Speech dedicates its own two story building.
Affiliation signed with the Hillcrest Children’s Center to coordinate services for emotionally disturbed children.

1941 to 1960

1959

New building opens to house Research Foundation. It received major funding from the Variety Club.

1956

The adolescent medicine inpatient unit, the first of its kind in the United States, opens.

1955

Unique contract signed with Hot Shoppes Inc. (Marriott) to take over purchasing and preparing meals.

1953

The hearing clinic, Premature Nursery and Electroencephalography Laboratory is open.

1950

The well baby clinic founded by the Child Welfare Society becomes part of the hospital.

1948

Dr. Reginald Lourie appointed director of newly established Psychiatry Department.

1947

The Research Foundation and the Department of Volunteers, financed by the Junior League of Washington are established.

1945

West annex is built to house x-ray and laboratory facilities, as well as 20 additional beds.

1944

The scientific publication Clinical Proceedings is launched to publish medical articles.

1943

Completion of an addition to dispensary and an office for admitting officer.
Wide use of sulfonamide drugs, followed by introduction of antibiotics such as penicillin.

1942

World War II brings a shortage of healthcare professionals, as well as an increase in population of Washington.

1901 to 1940

1940

Medical Library opens. Its roots began in the 1930s when Dr. John A. Foote (1873-1931) donated his books.

1939

Blood Bank opens

1936

Opening of new building to house heating/laundry plant.

1934

School of Nursing closes. Children’s continues to provide a post-graduate curriculum in pediatrics.

1932

The Child Guidance Center, predecessor of today’s Psychiatry Department opens.

1930

Social Services Department is established by the Junior League of Washington.

1929

The stock market crashes beginning the Depression of the 1930s.

1928

Child Welfare Society continues preventative care efforts of Infant Welfare Station by opening a clinic.

1924

Central wing added, bringing bed capacity to 177 and housing for interns.

1918

World War I brings a shortage of nurses and physicians.

1914

Infant Welfare Station is opened to provide nourishment and preventive care for infants and children.

1910

First private (paying) patients admitted when two additional wings, running north and south are erected.

1860 to 1900

1894

A 12-bed baby ward is opened to care for children under the age of 18 months.

1892

Training program for nurses, which began in 1888, now formally shares students with Columbia Hospital.

1890

The west wing is opened, bringing the total beds to 162.

1887

The first medical students from George Washington and Georgetown Universities begin training at Children’s.

1878

The central, or administrative building and the east wing of the new hospital is completed.

1875

The hospital begins its first “letter campaign” to solicit residents to become members of Children’s Hospital.
Land purchased for construction of new hospital at 13th and W Streets, NW.

1871

The first patients are admitted to the 12-bed hospital housed in a rented rowhouse.

1870

The “Children’s Hospital of the District of Columbia” is incorporated.

1865

The end of the Civil War

Facts at a Glance

Our Fast Facts provides you with everything you need to know about Children’s National – from our locations to our specialty care programs to our research initiatives.

View our fast facts

Related Photo Galleries

New Robot in the Cardiac ICU

After a three-month voting period, the robot's name was revealed during an interview. Dr. Bear Bot delivered Valentine's Day cards to doctors and patients following the interview.