Seattle Children's Healthcare System history

1900), “The Far West Cab Company said they would transport all of the children and their nurses; the Teamsters Union offered to transport all of the equipment free.” Volunteers gave up two weekends, the first for a preliminary trial run.

After visiting Doctor John Musser at Philadelphia Orthopedic in 1906, Anna was moved to action.

In October 1907, the Board of Trustees adopted a policy to accept any child regardless of race, religion, or the parents' ability to pay.

In 1911, they built an even larger 50-bed hospital next door.

Fundraising for Children's Orthopedic Hospital, Seattle, 1912

Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center (RDCC), formally The Ruth School for Girls, named in honor of Judge Dykeman’s daughter Ruth, was founded to 1921, when Judge King Dykeman served in the Juvenile Court.

As the children’s hospital looked for a new home in 1928 from its original “Fresh Air House” on Queen Anne, the WA State Elks Association offered to help.

In 1929 the Elks, along with other community organizations, helped finance a new property: “The Children’s Convalescent Home – Presented by the WA State Elks Association.”

In 1944, the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors honored the Orthopedic as Seattle’s First Citizen for the contribution made by Children's Hospital to the community and to the Northwest.

Created by concerned local residents who saw an unfilled need for affordable, accessible mental health care, Navos began in 1966 as Highline West Seattle Community Mental Health Clinic, providing treatment to people throughout South & West King County.

In this era of social unrest, the case of Odessa Brown, who died in 1969, drew attention to the healthcare crisis in the Central Area.

Children's Orthopedic Hospital responded by opening the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in 1970.

On February 23, 1987, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital’s name was changed to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Anna Clise was included in the Washington State Centennial Hall of Honor in 1989.

In 2003, Children's delivered more than $35 million in uncompensated care -- free medical care to children whose families cannot afford it.

In 2005, the Board of Trustees changed the bylaws to include the Chief Executive Officer and the Medical Director (who happened to be men) as ex-officio (non-voting) members.

In 2010, RDCC became a member of the Navos family.