News Releases

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is providing robust health information with today’s launch of the new’devoschildrens.org‘Web site. The site features distinct areas with custom content designed for children, teens, parents, the community and health care providers.

“Our goal with the new Web site is to create a trusted resource about children’s health for families and the professionals who care for them,” said Tom Hanley, APR, director, marketing and communications, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “We believe parents will come back often once they experience the depth and breadth of information and the unique features available.”

Key features of the new site include:

• A program called “Should I call the doctor?” a self-care triage system using the highly respected Barton-Schmidt call center protocols. The content guides parents through a series of questions to determine if the situation can be resolved at home, if immediate medical attention is necessary or if a trip to the doctor is a better option.’
• Health information‘written for kids to help them understand illness, injury, childhood diseases and issues. A special section also includes videos, games and interactive educational activities. It will also serve as a resource for children conducting research on school health projects.’
• A’teen focused section‘with information about coping with the changes of developing bodies, teen health issues, and relationships and mental health concerns such as depression.’ Family issues such as dealing with divorce and blended families are also addressed.’
• News‘and’events‘about activities at the children’s hospital, information about Safe Kids car seat inspections, safety events and community fundraisers.
• Search functionality throughout the site connecting children’s hospital programs and services to linked information

The Web site also includes a link to’fundoctor.org, a site created by Northview High School student Aaron Hendrick and his classmates. They created the site as part of an honors English class project after Aaron became familiar with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital while visiting his sister who was undergoing treatment for bone cancer. The site includes games, jokes and news designed to entertain children while in the hospital.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes more than 150 pediatric specialty physicians with specialized training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. We care for 7,600 children on an inpatient basis and 190,000 children at outpatient sites annually. The staff at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is committed to caring for children and families with compassion, excellence and innovation. The children’s hospital is one of seven hospitals in the Spectrum Health system. Visit’devoschildrens.org‘to learn more or’devoschildrens.org/2011‘to learn about the new hospital opening in 2011.