UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital

Official account for University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital, part of @uihealthcare. Social media policy:

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

When you donate blood at the University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center, your donation helps our own patients. For our tiniest patients, having blood products readily available is crucial.

Evelyn weighed 8.46 ounces when she was born 17 weeks early in September 2023. When doctors had to draw blood for lab tests, even the smallest amount could have a huge impact: Evelyn only had about 1.5 tablespoons of blood in her body, says TJ Boly, MD, pictured with Evelyn and the neonatologist who first cared for her.

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Throughout her hospital stay Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien’s doctors, nurses, and therapists helped her regain her independence and return to the activities she loves, while her family and a bed full of her favorite animal pillows brought comfort along the way. 💛

https://t.co/cYj1ZanIOZ

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Respiratory therapist Eddie Hatcher combines his love of art with caring for patients at our hospital. 🎨

Using dry erase markers, Eddie creates personalized drawings on pediatric patient room doors inspired by each child’s favorite characters, animals, and interests. His artwork helps him connect with patients and families during their hospital stays. https://t.co/s5FfUvti7A

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

“I just want to see her keep on helping other kids. Maybe she can help other kids get through it.” — Mike O’Brien

The Kaelyn O’Brien Story 📽️💛 https://t.co/DRO9eXS9OL

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

When Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien had difficulty walking and slurred speech at 11, our specialists determined she had Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as a rare complication called paraneoplastic syndrome.

Now with her cancer in remission, Kaelyn will turn 14 on game day. She loves volleyball, basketball, and softball, and hopes to become a pediatric oncology nurse. 💛🏈 https://t.co/NwX5yUO5kX

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Meet our Week 7 Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien – a 13-year-old from Jesup, Iowa. 💛🏈 Get to know Kaelyn and read more about her journey: https://t.co/VihnuBh7nq

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

We’re halfway through the season, and our Kid Captains have shared incredible stories of strength and resilience.

Thank you to every family who has shared their journey with us this year.

Here’s to the rest of the season. 💛🖤

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Three years ago, 55,646 fans came to Kinnick to watch @IowaWBB. 

At the end of the first quarter, all 55,646 turned to wave at our patients. Tradition is tradition, no matter the sport. 💛

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays! We’re so grateful for the generosity that supports our patients and families all year long. If you’d like to give this season, please plan ahead — holiday donations must be delivered by Dec. 16. Find holiday hours and guidelines here: https://t.co/ZQBLyRr1fW

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

A day of play, learning, and imagination. 🩺 Young "providers" cared for stuffed patients at the Teddy Bear Clinic with guidance from @IowaMed students and other health sciences students, helping make health care feel more familiar.

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

What a week for Kid Captain JJ Ward of Davenport, Iowa!

From a life-saving surgery as a newborn and a cystic fibrosis diagnosis, to becoming a spunky, sports-loving 6-year-old, JJ’s story is one of resilience!

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Kid Captain JJ Ward of Davenport, Iowa, has received care at our hospital since shortly after birth after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Tonight, the 6-year-old will cheer on the Hawkeyes as our Week 6 Kid Captain when Iowa takes on Washington under the lights. 💛🏈

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

It’s GAMEDAY!

Learn more about our Kid Captain JJ Ward! 💛🖤

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

It’s Gameday Eve for our Kid Captain JJ Ward! 💛🖤

The 6-year-old loves baseball, soccer, wrestling, art, boating, and fishing!

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

NIC-ZOO Read-a-thon! 🌴🦁

Goal: 1,000 reading sessions. Result: 196 hours of reading and counting! Our readers also ranked 14th out of 67 NICUs our size in this year's international competition.

Reading to NICU babies supports brain development, improves oxygen levels, and strengthens parent-baby bonding, benefits that last well beyond discharge.

Thank you to every parent, nurse, and volunteer who made this NIC-ZOO come to life. 🙌

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Kid Captain JJ Ward received life-saving surgery within his first day of life.

"They're just always available and there's a whole team of people rooting for JJ," says his mom, Tara. "They become family to you." 💛 Kid Captain receives life-saving surgery at Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth

https://t.co/lVIyNRM2YC

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

“He makes people laugh. He tries hard. The thing that will serve him the best is he just does not give up.” — Tara Ward

The JJ Ward Story 📽️💛 https://t.co/bOkp4Icq1o

[ESPN Front Row @ESPNFrontRow]

Beyond the Hawkeye Wave 💛

Before @CollegeGameDay took the stage in Iowa City last weekend, members of the crew visited @UIchildrens

The experience sparked powerful reflections from the team & a $1M donation from @PatMcAfeeShow

More on the visit: https://t.co/wK45gAH1x3

[UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital @UIchildrens]

Laura Corbett has spent 18 years as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at our hospital, caring for babies and their families. Recently, she was surprised with the news that a NICU patient room had been named in her honor. https://t.co/2MbhlGXDf8

[Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow]

We will donate one million dollars to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital..

We would like to thank that hospital for everything that they do #PMSLive