A Look Back at 2011 at Children's Hospital Colorado

We've been busy at Children's Hospital Colorado and, as year-end traditions go, we've compiled our top accomplishments in 2011. Take a look at our list of a successful year past.

Delivered the first baby at our hospital

On June 15, 2011, a mother from Montana gave birth to her son Laysen, marking the first delivery at the Colorado Institute for Maternal Fetal Health at Children's Hospital Colorado (a joint venture between Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Hospital, and in conjunction with University of Colorado School of Medicine). Laysen was born in a new obstetrical unit housed within the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Colorado that focuses on babies needing highly-specialized surgical care within 72 hours of birth (Laysen was born with a form of spina bifida).

"The Children's Hospital" became "Children's Hospital Colorado"

On June 22, we changed our name from The Children's Hospital to Children's Hospital Colorado in order to distinguish ourselves by highlighting the region we serve. Learn more in this video about who we are and what makes this a place of comfort and hope.

"We change our name with a great satisfaction and pride for our community, our western spirit and the brilliant hospital professionals who live and work here," said Jim Shmerling, president and chief executive officer of Children's Hospital Colorado.

Launched a free mobile app for parents

In March, we launched ChildrensMD, a mobile application that features a symptom checker for common health problems. The app provides care guides that help parents make smart decisions on what level of care (if any) is needed and how to provide speedy symptom relief for minor illnesses or injuries.

Construction underway at two new locations

Therapy Care, Broomfield: This year, we added two new locations to our group of satellite locations, bringing expert pediatric care even closer to your home. In April, we broke ground in Broomfield, where next year we'll open the new 19,900 sq. ft. Children's Hospital Colorado Therapy Care, Broomfield, located near the Broomfield Events Center (1st Bank Center).

Outpatient Specialty Care, Colorado Springs: On Oct. 13, a group of providers, staff and hospital leadership gathered to kick off construction work on the new Children's Hospital Colorado Outpatient Specialty Care at Colorado Springs, located in the Medical Pavilions at Briargate. To meet the growth needs of the area, the new location will have almost 50,000 square feet of ambulatory clinic space. This location is also slated to open in 2012.

Formed the Bikes For Life program

On the tails of last August's USA Pro Cycling Challenge held in Colorado, Children's Colorado, along with USA Pro Cycling and United Healthcare, announced the formation of Bikes For Life, a program to encourage children to cycle as a healthy activity. Children's Colorado and United Healthcare plan to donate up to 1,000 bicycles and helmets over the next several years to Bikes For Life participants.

Passed concussion legislation for coaches in Colorado

Many staff at Children's Hospital Colorado advocated for Senate Bill 40, otherwise known as the Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act, in an effort to reduce the adverse effects of sustaining a second concussion. This bill, signed into law on March 29, 2011 by Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, requires that coaches of all youth, organized sports for kids age 11 to 18 complete annual concussion recognition education. Further, if the coach suspects a youth athlete has sustained a concussion, the coach must immediately remove the athlete from play, and the athlete cannot return to practice or play until evaluated by a licensed health care provider and cleared to return. Our employees have taught more than 35 free trainings this year, educating nearly 1,400 people about youth concussion.

Received national awards and recognition

In 2011, we humbly accepted several national awards that recognized our talented faculty and staff. This year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Children's Colorado fifth on its honor roll of best children's hospitals in the nation; the American Nurses Credentialing Center awarded the hospital Magnet re-designation, the highest nursing honor in the country; and 5280 magazine named 90 Children's Colorado physicians to its annual "Top Docs" listing. Read more about these awards and other honors at Children's Colorado.

Cared for our 500,000th outpatient

On Dec. 7, for the first time ever, Children's Colorado welcomed its 500,000th outpatient visit in one year, meaning that more children than ever before are seeking the best opportunities to heal and grow.

Selected our new surgeon-in-chief

After an extensive national search, Children's Colorado in November welcomed Timothy M. Crombleholme, MD, FACS, FAAP, as The Ponzio Family Chair for the Surgeon-in-Chief. Dr. Crombleholme will serve as the vice chair of pediatric surgical programs, director of the new Center for Children's Surgery and professor of surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. A renowned leader in the field of fetal and pediatric surgery, Dr. Crombleholme hails from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he founded one of the most progressive and respected fetal care programs in the country.

Ways you can help our hospital in the New Year.