Dayton Children's Hospital

Meaningful conversations can happen anywhere — even on a walk through the park. We’re proud to partner with Five Rivers MetroParks and bring conversation starter signs to parks throughout our community, helping families create simple but impactful moments of connection. The signs, located at 2nd Street Market, Eastwood MetroPark, and Cox Arboretum MetroPark, feature prompts designed to encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings in a natural, supportive environment. At Dayton Children’s, we know mental health conversations don’t always begin in a doctor’s office. They begin at home, in the community and during everyday moments together. Partnerships like this help make those conversations more accessible and remind families that supporting children’s mental wellbeing can start with something as simple as asking a question and listening. If you visit one of the parks this summer and spot a sign, we’d love to see it — tag us in your photos!

Today marks an important milestone as Dayton Children’s newest urgent care officially opens its doors to families across West Dayton and the surrounding community. This new location in the heart of West Dayton reflects our continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality pediatric care and investing in the communities we serve. Staffed by board-certified pediatricians and pediatric-trained nurse practitioners, the urgent care provides expert care for minor illnesses and injuries in a child-focused environment designed specifically for kids and families. By bringing pediatric urgent care closer to home - with convenient walk-in access and online scheduling options - we hope to make it easier for families to get trusted care when and where they need it most. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this possible and proud to continue serving as a trusted care partner for West Dayton families. 💙

When Lenox first came to Dayton Children’s for speech therapy, everyday communication was a challenge. Social situations felt overwhelming, conversations often required family members to interpret for him, and his confidence was beginning to suffer. Today, after years of hard work and support from his care team — including speech-language pathologist Lauren Burke — Lenox has graduated from kindergarten, performing above benchmark levels in language skills, is thriving socially, participating in sports and recently earned a solo speaking role as Santa in his school program. His mom shared: “To see their faces light up and their confidence grow immediately is something you’ll never forget.” Stories like Lenox’s are a powerful reminder that pediatric speech therapy is about far more than pronunciation or language milestones. It’s about helping children build confidence, independence, connection and the ability to fully participate in the world around them. At Dayton Children’s, we’re grateful to partner with families throughout every step of that journey — celebrating not only clinical progress, but the life-changing moments that come with finding your voice.

Today, we celebrated a meaningful milestone for Dayton Children’s and the future of pediatric health in our region. Our West Dayton location is now the Feldman Center for Healthy Futures, honoring Debbie Feldman’s 14 years of visionary leadership and her lasting impact on children and families across our community. Under Debbie’s leadership, Dayton Children’s expanded access to care, strengthened mental health services, built innovative community partnerships and reimagined how we support families — not only when children are sick, but throughout their journey to lifelong health and wellbeing. The Feldman Center for Healthy Futures reflects that vision: bringing trusted pediatric care, support and opportunity closer to home for families in West Dayton. Beginning May 27, urgent care services at this location will offer same-day pediatric care with evening and weekend hours — an important step in making care more accessible for the children and families we serve. Thank you to the many community partners, supporters and families whose voices and generosity helped make this vision possible. Together, we are building healthier futures for every child within our reach. Read the full news release at https://bit.ly/4dVA70m

At Dayton Children’s, we know a child’s health is shaped by far more than what happens inside a hospital room. That’s why we’re honored to see USA TODAY spotlight Vermillion Place — an innovative kinship housing community created through the collaboration of Dayton Children’s and community partners to support relatives raising children when parents cannot. This story highlights the real challenges kinship caregivers face, the importance of stable housing, and what’s possible when organizations come together to address the social drivers of health in meaningful ways. Read the full USA TODAY feature at https://bit.ly/439WiK2

What an unforgettable evening and an incredible impact for kids and families across our community. ✨ Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our sponsors, donors, supporters and community partners, this year’s cha | cha fundraiser raised more than $1.4 million in support of Dayton Children’s, surpassing its $1.3 million goal. These funds help Dayton Children's continue to create moments of comfort, connection and compassion for children and families during some of life’s most difficult times, delivering the exceptional pediatric experience every child deserves. We are deeply grateful to the Women’s Board, event volunteers, sponsors and every individual who helped bring this special night to life. From the behind-the-scenes planning to the laughter and celebration shared throughout the evening, this event reflected the power of a community coming together for kids. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us continue to provide trusted, locally focused care for the children who need us most. ❤️

Partnerships that invest in local children and families make a lasting impact. Throughout May, Costco Wholesale warehouses nationwide are raising funds for their local Children's Miracle Network hospitals, and that support continues to make a meaningful difference here at Dayton Children's. Since 2015, Costco and its members have helped raise more than $335,000 to support patient care and services for kids in our community. This year’s campaign is especially meaningful as it features our patient ambassador and CMN national champion, Rudy, on a special-edition Mott’s Fruit Snacks box. Rudy recently helped launch the campaign by visiting with Costco staff and sharing firsthand how community support helps children and families across the region. We’re grateful for partners like Costco who help ensure exceptional pediatric care remains close to home.

If we want kids to talk about mental wellness, we have to change where and how those conversations begin. At Stingley Elementary’s recent “Community Day,” our On Our Sleeves team partnered with educators to bring mental wellness into a space kids know and trust: the classroom. Through a simple origami activity designed to spark conversation, students explored how to express their feelings - while resources shared with teachers and families helped extend that learning far beyond the school day. Traditionally, mental wellness education is directed toward adults. And while that remains critical, this experience reinforces an important point: when we equip both children and the trusted adults around them, we create a more connected, supportive environment for every child. This is what it means to be a locally focused, trusted care partner - meeting communities where they are, removing barriers to conversation, and making mental wellness part of everyday life. What would it look like if more community spaces embraced this approach?

Please join us in celebrating Cheryl Coffey-Behne, this year’s Cameo of Caring Award recipient - the highest nursing honor at Dayton Children’s. For nearly 40 years, Cheryl has been a trusted guide for patients and families, helping them navigate complex care with clarity, kindness and unwavering support. Whether she’s coordinating treatment, removing financial barriers or simply asking, “How can I help you?” - her impact is felt in every interaction. Known as “clinic famous” by those she serves, Cheryl goes above and beyond to ensure families feel informed, empowered and cared for long after they leave our doors. Her work is a powerful example of what it means to be a trusted care partner, and the kind of exceptional pediatric experience every child deserves. Congratulations, Cheryl, and thank you for the countless lives you’ve touched along the way. 💫

Today, on Children’s Mental Health Day, we’re proud to celebrate five years of On Our Sleeves and the impact this movement has made for children and families across our communities. At Dayton Children’s, we know mental health is just as important as physical health — and families deserve trusted, accessible resources to help children navigate emotions, stress and everyday challenges. Since joining the On Our Sleeves movement in 2021, we’ve worked alongside families, schools, community partners and caregivers to normalize conversations around children’s mental wellness and break down stigma through education and awareness. Over the last five years, On Our Sleeves has empowered families with practical tools, expert-backed guidance and meaningful conversations that remind kids they are never alone. As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize there is still important work ahead. Every conversation, every shared resource and every supportive adult can make a lasting difference in a child’s life. Thank you to everyone who has helped champion children’s mental health with us. We invite you to join the movement and continue creating communities where every child feels supported, understood and heard.