Blank Children's Hospital is committed to family-centered healing, caring and teaching. Since its beginnings in 1944, Blank Children's Hospital has been focused on providing the best possible healthcare for children.

Blank Children's has the distinction of being the only civilian hospital built during World War II. At that time, Iowa had the highest rate of polio among children of any state, but was one of only a few states that did not have a children's hospital to care for them.

The Blank family built the original hospital to address the healthcare needs of Iowa's ill and injured children. More than 60 years later the hospital is still providing compassionate care, and has been fully renovated to deliver 21st-century medicine in a facility expanded to
address many unique healthcare needs. Families from our own community and throughout Iowa bring to Blank Children's their most precious possession--their children.

 Blank Children's Hospital is proud to provide:

• Iowa's only pediatric emergency department staffed around the clock by pediatric emergency medicine physicians.
• Iowa's first pediatric critical care physicians.
• A kid-friendly environment as well as the latest technology and equipment sized appropriately for children of all ages.
• Private, spacious inpatient rooms, which comfortably accommodate overnight stays by a family member.
• The Variety Club Intensive Care Nursery, which was the first Level III neonatal intensive care nursery anywhere to offer private rooms, enabling neonatal specialists to maximize newborns' growth and development potential while giving families the amenities necessary to stay and bond with their child. 
• A pediatric intensive care unit, which enables pediatric intensivists to provide the latest in pediatric critical care technology and treatment.
• An environment that embraces families as a critical part of their child's health, healing and recovery.
• Private conference rooms, where families can meet with staff and make important decisions.
• A kitchenette, where families can gather or celebrate special occasions.
• Comfortable lounges on every floor, where families can go to relax or just catch their breath.
• Play areas for patients and siblings on every floor.

An 88-bed facility, Blank Children's Hospital continues to expand to provide the most complete medical care to children across the state. Currently, Blank Children's features more than 60 pediatric specialists uniquely skilled in providing medical care to children. In addition more than 150 primary care doctors, including pediatricians and family practice physicians, are on the staff. The number of pediatric medical specialists, programs and services is constantly growing to improve care and meet the changing health needs of children.