Children's Health


Acrisure Pledges $15 Million to Establish Center for Innovation in Children’s Health at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., February 13, 2020 –Spectrum Health today announced that through the generosity of Acrisure LLC, the Acrisure Center for Innovation in Children’s Health will be established at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The company’s $15 million pledge will create a virtual center to advance programs and services for the future by supporting the dedicated […]



Spectrum Health Enacting Visitor Restrictions

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 8, 2020 – Spectrum Health hospitals are working to meet the challenge of caring for our community amid an influx of respiratory illness. Because one of the most important tools in fighting the transmission of infection is limiting exposure, only healthy visitors may visit patients in the hospitals or outpatient locations. […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation and IHeart Media annual Radiothon breaks all-time fundraising record

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., December 12, 2019 – Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation and IHeart Media are happy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of collaboration in raising more than $400,000 during the 48-hour 2019 radiothon.  This is an all-time record for the radiothon’s fundraising efforts. Proceeds stay local and benefit children right here in West Michigan […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital joins Eastern Great Lakes Pediatric Consortium for Disaster Response

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 21, 2019 – Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is proud to join the Eastern Great Lakes Pediatric Consortium for Disaster Response (EGLPCDR) as a Center of Excellence. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response recently awarded six hospitals in Michigan […]



Greg and Meg Willit Named Recipients of 2019 Spectrum Health Foundation Art of Giving Award

GRAND RAPIDS Mich., Sept. 24, 2019 – The Spectrum Health Foundation recently recognized Greg and Meg Willit as the recipients of its 2019 Art of Giving Award. Established in 1989, this prestigious award is presented annually to individuals demonstrating extraordinary volunteer service, leadership and commitment to improving the health of our communities. “Greg and Meg […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital President Announces Retirement

Grand Rapids, Mich., September 17, 2018 – Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital President Bob Connors, MD, has announced his plans to retire on January 3, 2020. Connors has served as president of the children’s hospital for 14 years. He moved to the Grand Rapids community in 1990 as a pediatric surgeon and established Pediatric […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Opens Michigan’s First Wireless Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 7, 2019 – Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is proud to open Michigan’s first dedicated wireless epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), offering world-class care and the most advanced technology for children experiencing seizures.  The unit, funded through generous philanthropic support from the Steve and Amy Van Andel family and other donors, officially opened […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Ranked by U.S. News & World Report in Four Specialty Areas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 18, 2019 – U.S. News & World Report has again included Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in its 2019 Best Children’s Hospital rankings, with a total of four specialty areas being recognized this year. This is the eighth year the hospital has been included. The 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Opens West Michigan’s First Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 9, 2019 – Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is proud to open West Michigan’s first dedicated pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU).  The new unit will provide world-class care to the growing number of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease and will better serve the needs of more patients in its pediatric […]



Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Earns Accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 25, 2018 – In recognition of its expertise in serving adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital has received accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA). The ACHA is a nationwide organization focused on connecting patients, family members and health care providers to form a community of […]



American Association of Critical-Care Nurses recognizes Pediatric ICU at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 2, 2018 – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is the only pediatric critical care unit in the State of Michigan with […]



Study Finds That DFMO Increases Survival for Children With High Risk Neuroblastoma

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 1, 2018 – A paper published September 27 in Scientific Reports shows the positive results of a phase II clinical trial using the oral medication DFMO to prevent relapse in children with High Risk Neuroblastoma (HRNB). Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas […]



MSU-Spectrum Health Researchers Identify New Genetic Disorder

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 21, 2018 – Researchers from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and physicians from Spectrum Health have identified for the first time in a human patient a genetic disorder only previously described in animal models. The disorder is caused by mutations in a gene known as ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) and […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Celebrates 25th Birthday

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., September 12, 2018 – Kids at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital will be able to have their cake and eat it too. The hospital is celebrating its 25th birthday this month, and kids will be voting on their favorite birthday treat, with the winning selection to be served at a birthday party for […]



Beat Childhood Cancer Consortium Expands Into Canada

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 6, 2018 – Children in Canada who are battling neuroblastoma, a form of cancer, have been granted new hope toward a better prognosis and long-term survival.  Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s consortium, known as Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC), announced today that through a partnership with The C17 Council, the organization’s first Canadian […]



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Ranked by U.S. News & World Report in Six Specialty Areas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 26, 2018 – U.S. News & World Report has again included Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in its 2018 Best Children’s Hospital rankings, with a total of six specialty areas being recognized this year. This is the seventh year the hospital has been included. The 2018-19 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings […]



Hunt for a Cure Foundation Provides Lead Gift of $500,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Research at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 13, 2018 – Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce the creation of a research partnership between Spectrum Health, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Hunt for a Cure Foundation that will help find a cure for cystic fibrosis patients. Today, the Hunt for a Cure […]