Mary Bridge Children's Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the South Sound dedicated to caring for the special health needs of the children. From open-heart surgery to asthma treatment, cancer care to diabetes, Mary Bridge specializes in advanced care for children. At Mary Bridge, we offer specialized pediatric care, equipment and facilities that aren't available in most communities. When a child receives care at Mary Bridge, our specialists work closely with local pediatricians or primary care providers, making sure children receive the care they need. With its family-centered care philosophy, Mary Bridge provides services and accommodations for families in a child-friendly environment — a place where kids get better quicker.
External link for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
317 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Tacoma, Washington 98405, US
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Chief Operating Officer, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Network
Such a treat to see Vanessa Adams and Gina Cabiddu present and share the story of Kids Mental Health Pierce County and Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Ashley Mangum
During National Hospital Week, we celebrate the hardworking teams at our hospitals systemwide. From clinical care to support staff, we are thankful for the innovative ways that our hospitals support the health and ongoing needs of our communities. If you happen to be at one of our campuses this week, please show your appreciation to our staff. 💜
Nurses are the backbone of care teams. In celebration of Nurses Week, we’re highlighting the collective wisdom of some Mary Bridge Children’s nurses who’ve dedicated more than 20 years each to caring for children in our community.
This week we celebrated Olaf's service anniversary with a little pawty. Olaf is our Facility Dog who has worked at Mary Bridge Children's for the last 5 years - that's 35 in dog years! His handler Kristen says, "There’s no way I could have imagined the impact Olaf would have in my work as a Child Life Specialist. I have often described a 'magic' about Olaf that is beyond something another human could offer. He is attentive and careful, playful and silly, and quiet and calm. I am so grateful for the healthcare goals he and I have helped patients accomplish and the care that we’ve provided together." We did some fun activities and spent time with patients in our hospital playroom as well as our outpatient center lobby. Thanks so much to everyone who came by to celebrate with us! 🐾💜
Patty Nevins first connected with MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital as a Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation donor. After retiring as a preschool teacher in 2010, Foundation staff introduced her to the hospital’s volunteer coordinator, as she wanted to continue working with children. For 13 years, Patty offered art projects in the playroom; assisted with the Beads of Courage™ program — where young patients tell their stories through beads representing their treatment journey; and sewed masks and gowns during the pandemic. Today, she makes activity kits for various clinics, volunteers for the Mary Bridge Loves to Read inpatient literacy program and is a trustee on the Mary Bridge Brigade’s board and Lakewood guild member. “Through my years here, I have seen the many services the hospital provides in the area, the dedication of the staff and all those involved with the day-to-day activities,” Patty shares. “This continues to give me a sense of pride, and I am fortunate to be a part of it.” Thank you for your beautiful legacy of helping South Sound kids, Patty!
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National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize volunteers across MultiCare Health System who lift up patients, families and providers across our communities. In 2023, 857 volunteers donated more than 127,000 hours of their time as patient ambassadors, compassionate hospice helpers, operating department assistants and more. Their generosity and selfless commitment to service play an essential role in providing high-quality care. This week, you’ll meet some of our MultiCare volunteers who are making a difference. Please join us in thanking them and the many more who transform lives every day.
April 3rd is a bittersweet day for Lilly Reddy — it’s the anniversary of her daughter’s death. Since 2006, it’s a day she honors her daughter by donating toys to children in the hospital. However, after a recent medical emergency, April 3rd now holds additional significance for Reddy — it’s the date her colleagues at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center saved her life. The Auburn pediatric primary care team knew about Lilly’s plans for her toy donation. They didn’t waste any time coordinating the donation this year as Reddy was recovering in the ICU. “Our team decided that one tangible way to support Lilly during her recovery was to take over her toy donation.”
Family members are often warned to watch for signs that children are withdrawing or experiencing feelings of loneliness, but Claire Helligso, Mary Bridge Children’s mental health clinician and social worker, says routine conversations about emotional health are a needed invitation to go deeper. “Even if we have young people who seem like they’re doing fantastically. They’re high achievers, they’re busy, right? They’re involved. Making that time to check in with a young person regularly, and genuinely being curious about how they’re doing, is going to be the biggest protective factor that you can implement in a young person’s life," Claire says. Kids Mental Health Pierce County is a community coalition that Mary Bridge Children’s serves as the backbone organization for. It’s a group of community members that are dedicated to improving the behavioral system for school-aged youth. Watch the full segment on Northwest Now.
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Spotlight on #WishMaker, Barbara! Barbara is one of our amazing social workers from Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. She has referred children to Make-A-Wish Alaska & Washington for over 8 years because she knows how important wishes are to total patient care. “I believe that wishes are important because most children with critical illnesses do not have the means to take a fun vacation or have a fort built in the backyard. Patients and parents work seven days per week with treatment plans, just to stay healthy. They work very hard and deserve to take a break and enjoy a family vacation or activity,” said Barbra. “I believe wishes impact our community because it gives kids hope and builds up their self-esteem. When a child gets their wish, it allows parents and caregivers the chance to see their child experience happiness, joy and excitement.” #WishMaker #WorldWishMonth