About the Critical Care Campaign

Families with critically ill kids or children with rare and complex medical conditions needing advanced diagnosis and treatment look to Cincinnati Children's for hope in their time of need.

Over the past decade, the demand for our services has continued to grow. As has the complexity of the care we provide.

Today we are seeing some of the sickest, most complex kids. These children—and their families—need specialized care. And they need an environment that supports them during one of the most challenging times of their life.

That’s why we are embarking on our largest clinical expansion ever.

We want to be ready today—and for decades to come—to provide world class care for every child who needs us.

Why Now?

Our new Critical Care Building (CCB) will add 249 state-of-the-art private rooms for our most fragile and complex patients and will improve the delivery of care.

Each unit has been designed so care providers will never be more than a few feet from their patients’ rooms and equipment will be more easily accessed. These efficiencies will enable our medical teams to have more time with each child and to focus on what’s most important-helping to get her back home to her family, where she belongs.

And when the hospital room becomes a family’s second home-sometimes for months at a time-larger, private rooms will make their stay more comfortable, with enhanced sleeping accommodations, storage for personal belongings and space to connect with the world outside the hospital when needed.

The Critical Care Building will also provide the infrastructure for advances in technology and will position Cincinnati Children’s to meet the needs of our community and beyond-today and far into the future. This cutting-edge work environment will attract the world’s best and brightest researchers and care providers, so we can continue to be on the forefront of improving child health.

Caring for the Entire Care Team

Our doctors, nurses and therapists aren’t the only ones helping to heal our patients. 

Parents know their child best, and they’re an important part of the care team. Together, we create a treatment plan that’s designed for optimal outcomes. The new space will ensure that both families and our care providers have what they need to be the best they can be for the children we serve.

For families, the CCB will provide a healing environment, enhancing their experience.

From learning and business centers to gardens and respite spaces to kitchen and laundry facilities, we’ll be able to help make long stays at the medical center feel a little more like home.

Our care teams also become invested in each child we serve. The new building offers staff lounges, quiet respite areas, and outdoor gardens, all designed to engage and inspire our team members.

The Critical Care Building will empower Cincinnati Children’s to meet the growing needs of the children and families who rely on us for best-in-class care – from our community and beyond.

This state-of-the-art facility will house:

• Newborn, Pediatric and Cardiac Intensive Care Units

• Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program

• Advanced Cancer Care and bone marrow transplant

• Maternal-fetal medicine

• A new Emergency Department and Urgent Care space

• Education/conference space

• Exercise and respite space

• Sibling play area

• Kitchen and dining expansion for families and staff

• Expanded pharmacy

Your Support Matters

Philanthropy has always been important to Cincinnati Children’s, but with the healthcare landscape continually changing, its role is now imperative to achieving strategic priorities.

Your support ensures that the sickest and most fragile kids who rely on Cincinnati Children’s are receiving the best care in the nation.

There will be several naming opportunities available in our critical care expansion to recognize the generosity of those who make investments of $50,000 or more. From family quiet space and reflection gardens to operating rooms, floors and institutes, we will work with you to determine the best way to recognize your legacy.

You can Make a Difference

Philanthropy and good financial stewardship allow us to move forward with the key Critical Care Building improvements required to enable the best care. Gifts will enable enhanced features to provide for the best possible experience for families. Your support plays a vital role in our ability to enhance and improve facilities, while continuing our commitment to ongoing investment in innovation to advance research and care.

Critical Care When You Need It

Hannah has been a patient at Cincinnati Children’s since the day she entered the world—15 weeks too early.

“Hannah spent the first five months of her life in the hospital,” remembers her mom, Jennie. “She was finally able to come home after having a tracheotomy tube inserted to help her breathe.”

For the next three and a half years, Hannah relied on her tracheotomy tube for a secure, stable and safe airway.

“The tube saved her life, but it meant that she couldn’t talk or blow out birthday candles,” Jennie says softly. “In three years, we never heard our daughter’s voice.”

When her doctors scheduled Hannah’s surgery to remove the tracheotomy, Jennie and her family were thrilled.

“We had everything set,” Jennie pauses, “But the night before her surgery, we got a call that the pediatric intensive care unit was full, and her surgery would have to be pushed back until there were beds available.”

Hannah, Jennie and the rest of their family were crushed. The surgery was rescheduled for a few weeks later and was a success. For the first time, Hannah had her own voice–but she should have had it sooner.

As Cincinnati Children’s becomes more nationally and globally recognized for our expertise and care–especially for complex patients--we’ll see increasing numbers of families arriving at our doors. They need us, and we need to be there for them.

Have questions or want to know more? Contact us.