Shriners Hospitals Provide Help And HopeTo Children (NAPSA)—For over 85 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children ey has provided expert, innovative medical care at no charge to approximately 835,000 children with orthopaedic conditions, burn injuries of all degrees, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Founded by Shriners of North America in 1922, this network of pediatric specialty hospitals has grown to include 22 sites across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Shriners Hospitals specializing in orthopaedics are dedicated to providing medical and rehabilitative services to children with congenital deformities, problems resulting from orthopaedic injuries, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Someof the most commonly treated conditions include clubfoot, limb deficiencies anddiscrepancies, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and orthopaedic problems related to spina bifida, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and muscular dystrophy. In addition to treating orthopaedic conditions, the hospitals in Chicago, Philadelphia and Sacramento, Calif., provide spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The Shriners Hospitals that specialize in treating burns, located in Boston, Cincinnati, Galveston, Texas, and Sacramento, have been leaders in burn research and treatment since opening in the mid-1960s. Medical treatment, including physical rehabilitation and support services, is provided for patients with burn injuries, related scarring and smokeinhalation. In 2005, care for treatment of cleft lip and palate was added to Shriners Hospitals’ treatmentdisciplines. This comprehensive care In 2006, Shriners Hospitals approved 38,984 new patient applications and 128,578 patients. cared for includeslip and palate repair, nasal reconstruction, jaw surgery, dental procedures and audiological, speech andpsychological services. Shriners Hospitals’ total budget for 2007 is $721 million, of which $655 million is designated for operating expenses (including $37 million for research) and $66 million is earmarked for building and equipment expenditures. During the 85-year history of Shriners Hospitals for Children, it has cost approximately $8.2 billion to operate Shriners Hospitals, and over $1.76 billion has been spent on construction and renovation. In 2006, Shriners Hospitals for Children provided the following: 251,461 radiology procedures; 296,859 outpatient, outreach and telemedicine visits; 61,108 orthotic and prosthetic devices; 24,609 surgical procedures; 412,387 physical therapy treat- ments; and 181,174 occupational therapy treatments.
