Shriners Hospitals for Children

Shriners Hospitals for Children (pronunciation: /ˈʃraɪnərz ˈhɒspɪtəlz fɔːr ˈtʃɪldrən/) is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. The hospitals specialize in treating children under the age of 18 who have orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families' ability to pay.

Etymology

The name "Shriners Hospitals for Children" is derived from its founding organization, the Shriners International, a fraternity based on the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth. The Shriners established the hospital system in 1922 to provide medical care for children in need.

Related Terms

Orthopedics: The branch of medicine dealing with the correction of deformities of bones or muscles. This is a key specialty of the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Burn: A type of injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Shriners Hospitals for Children are renowned for their treatment of severe burns.
Spinal Cord Injury: A damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. Shriners Hospitals for Children provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation for these types of injuries.
Cleft Lip and Palate: A split or opening in the roof of the mouth and lip. Shriners Hospitals for Children offer corrective surgeries and treatments for these conditions.
Non-profit Organization: An organization that uses its revenues to further achieve its purpose or mission, rather than distributing its income to the organization's leaders, shareholders, or members. Shriners Hospitals for Children operates as a non-profit.