UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital

NCAA March Madness is in Iowa City! 🏀 Please allow extra time if you plan to visit our hospital on Hawkins Drive March 19-23 as we expect increased traffic in the area.

Amazing support from our dance marathon partners. 💛 This year Simpson College Dance Marathon, Kirkwood College Dance Marathon, and UNI Dance Marathon raised $270,477.00 combined for our patients and families. 🎉 Simpson: $2,473.69 Kirkwood: $37,854.16 UNI: $230,150.15 Thank you to every dancer, donor, and supporter!

We're so “lucky” for our Child Life team members who constantly find fun and unique ways to spread joy for our pediatric patients and their families. 🍀💚

Two Illinois teens raised $3,550 through the Higgy Bear Million Bear Challenge — donating 280 bears to young scoliosis patients starting brace treatment at our North Liberty campus. 🧸 uihc.pulse.ly/iguxhpooxg

Spring break is here, and while the downtime can be fun, it’s important to keep an eye on your child’s screen time. Learn how much is too much and discover simple tips for managing healthy screen time habits: uihc.pulse.ly/4fzruoyfxd

Most UI Health Care ambulatory care clinics have reopened following today’s winter weather. Clinics that remain closed or are still delayed can be found on our website. If you have an appointment during this window at a location that remains closed or delayed, please call your clinic for information about how to reschedule. View the full update here: uihc.pulse.ly/2ywuds2gje

Due to weather conditions, all UI Health Care ambulatory care clinics across the state — including those at our university, North Liberty, and downtown campuses — will delay opening until 10 a.m. If you have an appointment during this window, please call your clinic for information about how to reschedule.

Born at just 23 weeks and 1 day, Elliot spent 180 days in the NICU before finally going home earlier this month. 💛 His mom, Karsyn, shared this special moment of holding her baby for the first time.

Congratulations to 36 UI Health Care nurses recognized as 2026 Great Iowa Nurses! 👏 This honor celebrates nurses who go above and beyond to provide compassionate, high-quality care for patients and families across Iowa. uihc.pulse.ly/u2qrw6phro

Patients celebrated Mario Day on March 10 (MAR10) with themed crafts, games, and activities hosted by our Child Life team. 🎮🍄

🛒 Shopping cart injuries can be serious, but many are preventable. Choose a sturdy cart, use the safety harness, keep kids seated, and don’t overload. More tips here: uihc.pulse.ly/tub8o00zqv

Thank you to the dancers who participated in Iowa State Dance Marathon and Drake University Dance Marathon, to help raise $205,622.38 for our pediatric patients and families! We appreciate your support! 💛

⏰ Set your clocks forward for daylight saving time tonight! Keep kids’ sleep on track with steady routines, limited screens before bed, and morning light. 🌞🛏️ uihc.pulse.ly/8msskqqm6y

Did you know you can join the wait list at any of our Quick Care or Urgent Care locations before you head out? Find your location online, estimate your time of arrival, and then hit “I’m on my way.” You can even get text updates letting you know when to arrive and your place in line. uihc.pulse.ly/keu31ytvqe

A big step for some small patients. 💛 This week, babies were welcomed into our newly expanded NICU space.

When Paige Beaudry joined our nursing team in July 2025, she was already training with the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team and planning to participate in the Deaflympics in Tokyo. She says the support of her new managers and colleagues helped make it happen. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than what I have here. They were all super excited when I won, they have been super supportive through it all.” uihc.pulse.ly/zwbfoqkq7p

Our hospital’s newly expanded NICU space is now open and supporting advanced newborn care. We recently held an open house for faculty and staff to preview the new space designed to meet the growing need for specialized newborn care. uihc.pulse.ly/ulz3yxmyq2

Last National Triplet Day, Lori Pinckney welcomed Quincy, Wes, and Theo 💙 Now the boys are turning one — growing, laughing, and hitting every milestone together as their family embraces the joy (and chaos) of raising triplets. uihc.pulse.ly/z47noe2ov2

Raegan was born with right spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that causes stiff muscles and paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. When she was 4, she underwent a specialized surgery only available at our hospital in Iowa. Now, says her mom, Shyra, she’s thriving. “She’s so much more independent now. She can keep up with her six siblings and do things we never thought possible.” uihc.pulse.ly/sugi3qam1c

🚨 Just two weeks left to nominate your child to be a 2026 Kid Captain! Do you know someone who would make a great Kid Captain? Our Kid Captain program highlights the courage, strength, and determination of our current and former pediatric patients through the football season in a partnership with the @IowaHawkeyes. Parents and legal guardians have until March 13 to nominate their child for the 2026 season. Learn more about the nomination process: uihc.pulse.ly/qanykfpnkq