Phoenix Children’s celebrates 40th birthday and isn’t done growing

PHOENIX – Born 40 years ago as a hospital within a hospital, Phoenix Children’s celebrated its birthday Monday as one of the nation’s fastest-growing pediatric health care systems.

Phoenix Children’s has come a long way since opening its first hospital on the campus of Good Samaritan Medical Center (now Banner – University Medical Center) on Sept. 18, 1983, growing over four decades into an important Arizona institution.

The network treated nearly 270,000 patients in 2022, including Nick, a 15-year-old high school student.

Phoenix Children’s has reached another major milestone: #40years of advancing hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families. With #4decades of service behind us, we look forward to continuing to grow with our community.#40yearsofservice #40thanniversary pic.twitter.com/arsDldsj0l

— Phoenix Children's (@PhxChildrens) September 18, 2023

“I feel like I can’t get better care anywhere else, and I wouldn’t recommend any other place,” Nick told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Monday.

How big has Phoenix Children’s health care network grown?

Phoenix Children’s offers pediatric patients like Nick care in about 75 subspecialty fields at over 40 locations statewide.

With over 6,600 staff members, Phoenix Children’s was the state’s 24th-largest employer last year, according to Phoenix Business Journal.

The system continues to grow, with two community hospitals under construction in Gilbert and Glendale set to open in 2024.

The flagship campus on Thomas Road off State Route 51 currently has 484 beds but is expanding with the buildout of its 10th and 11th floors.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Thomas campus among the best children’s hospitals in the country for 13 consecutive years.

Teen feeling better after over a year of treatment

Nick has been a Phoenix Children’s patient for over a year. His treatment has included six months of chemotherapy, a 12-day hospital stay after brain surgery, physical therapy and psychiatry.

He said he is back in school and “slowly getting back into it.”

“I feel like I’ll be back normal again by the end of the year,” he said.

Related

KTAR News, Arizona Sports Give-A-Thon for Phoenix Children’s sets record, raises over $2.1MPhoenix Children's to open Avondale campus, meeting needs of southwest ValleyPhoenix Children's opens new patient care floor as part of major expansionGreat Wolf Lodge looks to expand resort with additional towerMaricopa County Library District celebrates opening of new West Valley branchBygone mall favorite Hot Dog on a Stick plans return to Arizona