The Heart Institute for Children (THIC) was founded in 1987 by a group of Pediatric Cardiologists from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University (Children’s Memorial Hospital) and Loyola University. These physicians, all of whom had professional appointments at their respective institutions, felt that they could provide optimal care for their pediatric patients in a differently structured environment. They created THIC at Christ Hospital Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL, with the hope that a dedicated pediatric hospital would be built in the near future.
Hope Children Hospital was completed in 1998. The name was selected by a group of parents whose children had received care at this hospital. One of our very own board members, Hugh McLaughlin has experienced Hope Childrens dedicated care, when his daughter Grace had to undergo 2 heart surgeries following her birth. The Heart institute for children has grown and evolved. Recognized medical training programs in Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery were added, and after the merger of Evangelical Hospital System and Lutheran General Hospital to form Advocate Health Care, THIC began a close cooperative relationship with the Pediatric Cardiology Section of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
THIC now has 20 Pediatric Cardiologists and 4 Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, covering all subsections of this field. US News and World Report recently ranked THIC/ Advocate Children’s Hospital among the top 50 programs for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery in the country. It is their goal to maintain and improve upon this ranking by bolstering their research with support from the THIC Research Foundation and donations of charities like our very own, One For The Kids.
THIC is a large organization that partners with several hospitals to insure children get the best care possible. If you are interested in learning more about Hope Children Hospital or the Heart Institute please visit their website at www.childrensheartinstitute.org. This summer is the annual THIC picnic to support Hope Childrens hospital and the Advocate Health Care organization. If you would like more information please contact Dr. Frank Zimmerman at (708)- 684-5580.