Find World-Class Pediatric Health Care in Dayton

Children here can get the top-notch care they need without leaving the region.

By Karen Vernon on June 20, 2023

Jeff Adkins

From specialty hospitals to routine wellness care, Dayton is home to world-class pediatric facilities and nationally recognized experts.

Dayton Children’s Hospital

In March 2023, Dayton Children’s Hospital opened a $78 million specialty pediatric outpatient facility that brings new convenience to patients and families. Surface parking offers easy access, along with on-site imaging and pharmacy, and a centralized location for more than 30 pediatric specialties.

“We know care needs to be in an environment that meets our families’ needs,” says Debbie Feldman, the hospital’s president and CEO. “We are able to provide the spaces, the technology, the support services that our families need, so when they come to have that physician visit, they can have it quickly, efficiently and have that above-and-beyond experience our families expect from Dayton Children’s.” 

That includes attention to all the details, from wider doorways and elevators to accommodate children’s special equipment, to bathrooms with larger changing tables to meet the needs of older children.

“It really lets you know they are listening to the parents,” says Michelle McKinney, a member of the hospital’s Parent and Family Advisory Council. “It’s really heartwarming to know they went out of their way to put those things in the hospital for us.”

Advancing Pediatric Health Care in Dayton

Dayton Children’s Hospital is also engaged in research to advance the care of patients with respiratory diseases. Its pulmonary division is a member of the Therapeutics Development Network, associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which actively seeks and trials new therapies for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Another initiative benefits patients with asthma, including work to understand what triggers or contributes to the poor control of asthma, and the role a community health worker might play in helping manage a child’s asthma.

“Our division has been ranked in the top 50 pediatric pulmonary programs in the United States by U.S. News and World Report four out of the last five years,” says Dr. Daniel Evans, division chief of pulmonology.

“When your child needs pulmonary services at Dayton Children’s Hospital, they will receive care from a comprehensive team that looks beyond just the child’s symptoms to get to the cause of the symptoms and personalize the treatment plans for the individual child.”

Focus on Flexibility

Dayton and the surrounding counties are also home to Premier Physician Network, which operates three practices completely dedicated to pediatric care, along with family practices that also care for pediatric patients, for a total of nearly 80 pediatric providers.

“Children of all ages respond to the caring, comforting style of our physicians and staff,” says Diane Pleiman, president of Premier Physician Network. “Parents appreciate our flexible scheduling, including same-day and Saturday morning appointments.”

Shriners Children’s

Shriners Children’s Ohio

Since 1964, Shriners Children’s Ohio has offered life-changing care to children and families, providing pediatric burn and plastic surgery care for patients from 28 states and 35 countries, all regardless of insurance status or a family’s ability to pay.

Now in Dayton, Shriners Children’s Ohio is part of one of the largest pediatric specialty health care systems in the world. Its physicians and specialists are highly trained in pediatric burn care, as well as cleft lip, cleft palate, treatment for complex wound and skin conditions, and plastic and reconstructive surgery.

“When children are born with complex conditions or suffer tragic accidents, their families begin a scary and often-overwhelming journey,” says Randy White, Shriners Children’s Ohio hospital administrator. “Here, they find relief, renewal and hope.”

Shriners Children’s

The hospital has built “exciting and unprecedented partnerships” with Dayton Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and others, White says.

“We’re partnering and sharing resources, while still providing the world-class, wrap-around care Shriners’ reputation is built on. The sole focus is always providing the best care possible, all under one roof,” he says.

“Everything at Shriners is designed to make children and their families feel at home,” he adds. “After nearly 60 years in Ohio, and now in our second year in Dayton, families can rest a little easier knowing that our specialized care is right in their backyard.”