Gillette Children's Hospital Foundation

RESEARCH: Gillette research activities concentrate on clinical applications devoted to finding effective medical interventions for disabling conditions and their related effects. Research at Gillette consists of seven major emphasis areas (gait and motion analysis, health services, neurosciences, orthopedics, pain and comfort, rehabilitation, and spine), all of which seek to improve the lives of children who have disabilities and complex conditions. During 2024, Gillette researchers were engaged over 130 active studies to unlock new discoveries, with many studies being published in peer-reviewed journals to share knowledge with the world. In collaboration with clinical patient care, Gillette's research activities advance our mission to help children create their own stories. The Foundation grants supported various Gillette research initiatives, including direct program studies, such as Spine Institute, Cerebral Palsy Institute, and other patient focused research activities, and research infrastructure.

PATIENT CARE: The Foundation raises money to support activities related to the Gillette mission. This includes offering financial aid to patients based on need, whether or not they have health insurance, and offering charity care to patients who are financially unable to pay all or part of their medical bills. Gillette evaluates each situation based on a patient's income, assets and other resources, and the hospital assists with establishing manageable payment plans (including co-pays and co-insurance). For people without insurance, Gillette charges for care in accordance with the 501(r) guidelines. If patients inform Gillette that they will have a difficult time meeting their financial obligations, Gillette helps patients in their efforts to qualify for public assistance or the Gillette charity care program. Income eligibility for the program is based on national poverty guidelines. Gillette will never turn away a family due to an inability to pay for treatment. The Foundation also provides grants to support startup and expansion for new and/or strategic patient care initiatives. This investment includes the Gillette Pediatric Spine Institute, which advances the care of children with spine conditions, including scoliosis. This initiative centers around three pillars: (1) excellence in clinical care and outcomes, (2) research that investigates long-term outcomes, care innovation, and knowledge translation, and (3) education of future experts in spine care. Another area of investment was the Gillette Children's Cerebral Palsy Institute, launched in 2023, harnessing over 125 years of clinical leadership, advocacy, and research to transform care for cerebral palsy. The Cerebral Palsy Institute is one of the world's foremost innovators in clinical care, forward-think research, and patient advocacy. The singular condition focus aligns with specialty care, resulting in personalized, innovative care that guides each patient and family. This includes clinical expertise (with more than 140 specialists spanning nine disciplines), research (with insight from 100+ years of historical and current studies on cerebral palsy), and advocacy (working side by side with families to help each child live their story). These initiatives were made possible through generous donor support for research.Additionally, funds raised by the Foundation support areas of Gillette operations that are unreimbursed or under-reimbursed. For example, Gillette operates outreach clinics in communities in greater (largely rural) Minnesota. However, in providing these services, Gillette incurs losses. Gillette outreach clinics offer appointments with doctors, nurse practitioners, and seating and adaptive equipment specialists. Outreach clinics also help with care coordination and education for community providers in the specialized needs of Gillette patients living in their communities. Similarly, Gillette provides a variety of services to patients through our Child and Family Services area that are unreimbursed or under-reimbursed. Child life specialists, for example, help children and families prepare for and cope with hospital stays and medical procedures. Social workers provide emotional support and help with practical concerns for families of children who have disabilities, such as ordering medical equipment and finding transportation or other resources.