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Category: awards & recognition

March 4, 2026 | news post

Dayton Children’s first seizure clinic receives national recognition

Pediatric patient having leads placed on her head by her nurse preparing for EEG test.

When children experience a first seizure, families often face long waits to see a specialist, delaying diagnosis and treatment during a critical period for brain development. Dayton Children’s Hospital identified this gap in care and responded with an innovative solution: a specialized First Seizure Clinic designed to provide rapid access to pediatric epilepsy expertise.

The clinic’s unique model was initiated in 2017 and has since received national recognition for its impact on access, quality and early intervention in pediatric seizure care. The information related to the First Seizure Clinic was shared by the American Epilepsy Society during its Annual Meeting in Atlanta, December 5 through 9, as a newsworthy abstract. The clinic has since received national attention for its innovative approach to early seizure evaluation and coordinated care.

Historically, children may wait weeks or even months after a first seizure to see a specialist. Through Dayton Children’s First Seizure Clinic, most children are now seen within one week of referral.

“We recognized that delays after a child’s first seizure were creating unnecessary risk and anxiety for families,” said Gogi Kumar, MD, chief of neurology at Dayton Children’s. “Our First Seizure Clinic is an innovative approach that allows us to act quickly, protect brain health and give families clear answers and a plan sooner.”

The First Seizure Clinic is a specialized outpatient model that rapidly evaluates children after a first seizure to determine the cause, assess the risk of recurrence and begin appropriate care.

Innovation is central to the clinic’s design. Every child receives an electroencephalogram, or EEG, during the initial visit, eliminating delays that often occur when testing is scheduled separately. When additional testing is needed, including long-term EEG monitoring or brain imaging, it is coordinated quickly. Social workers are also available at the first visit to help families address barriers to care, such as scheduling challenges, transportation or follow-up needs.

“For children with seizures, time truly matters,” Kumar said. “Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of further seizures, injury and long-term developmental challenges. This clinic allows us to intervene earlier and support healthier outcomes for children.”

For more information about pediatric neurology and epilepsy services at Dayton Children’s here.

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.

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November 14, 2025 | news post

Dayton Children’s Hospital earns national recognition in three specialties from U.S. News & World Report

Recognition highlights excellence in neonatology, orthopedics and pediatric mental health care

Dayton Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a 2025–2026 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report in three specialties:  

  • Neonatology (NICU) earned a national ranking for the first time, highlighting the advanced, family-centered care provided to the hospital’s most fragile newborns. 
  • Orthopedics ranked for the sixth consecutive year for the division’s excellence in treating everything from sports injuries and scoliosis to complex fractures and congenital conditions. 
  • Pediatric mental health services were also ranked among the nation’s best, reflecting the hospital’s investment in addressing the critical and growing mental health needs of children and teens. 

“From broken bones to fragile newborns to supporting mental health, families can be confident they are receiving expert care right here in their backyard,” said Deborah Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital. “We are honored to be this community’s children’s hospital, and we will never stop going above and beyond for our kids.” 

“Being close to home is essential for families with newborns who need critical care,” said Mulakkan David Yohannan, MD, division chief of neonatology at Dayton Children’s. “We make sure that parents get advanced, life-saving care while remaining close to their support system.”  

“This team pours its heart and soul into caring for children. We are always looking for ways to reinvent the path to health, whether it be the most innovative spinal surgeries or programs tailored specifically for athletes, because our children deserve nothing but the best,” said Michael Albert, MD, division chief of pediatric orthopedics at Dayton Children’s Hospital. 

“Behind every service we add and every program we expand is a child who deserves hope and a family who deserves support,” said Kelly Blankenship, DO, division chief of psychiatry at Dayton Children’s. “We are committed to building brighter futures for kids and families across our community.” 

While national rankings are one way to measure excellence, Dayton Children’s emphasizes that the most important measure is the care families experience every day. “These rankings affirm what our families already know that Dayton Children’s is a place where expertise and compassion come together,” said Feldman. 

For the 2025-2026 rankings, U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed data from 118 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care. 

“Being a top-ranked pediatric hospital means more than just excelling in a single specialty — it means being a pillar of outstanding care for your entire region,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “Our rankings acknowledge these hospitals for their comprehensive excellence, helping families find the very best care conveniently located within their state and community.” 

The full rankings for the 2025-2026 Best Children’s Hospitals national, regional/state and specialty rankings can be found at USNews.com. For more information, explore #BestChildrensHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and X. 

About U.S. News & World Report 
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services. 

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact:

Katie Solovey
public relations manager
937-641-3666

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

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October 8, 2024 | news post

Dayton Children’s ranks in two specialties with U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals

Orthopedics, behavioral health among best in the country

Dayton Children’s Hospital has been recognized as a 2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings assist parents and caregivers, along with their physicians, in navigating the challenges of choosing the best possible care for children with serious illnesses or complex medical needs. 

This is the fifth year in a row that the orthopedics division at Dayton Children’s has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the division’s world-class, innovative care. In addition to orthopedics, the hospital’s behavioral health program was also ranked among the top 50 children’s hospitals in the country. This is the first year U.S. News has ranked adolescent behavioral health. 

“Orthopedics and behavioral health are two of our busiest and most impactful specialties here at Dayton Children’s,” said Deborah Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital. “We are delighted to have them recognized by U.S. News & World Report for their innovative approach to care. Although the ranking is just one factor among many for families when deciding on the best care for their child, we hope it provides them with added confidence in choosing Dayton Children’s for their health care needs.” 

orthopedics at Dayton Children’s  

The orthopedics division is a destination for families seeking innovative, personalized approaches to their child’s care. This is especially true for spine and scoliosis patients, where Dayton Children’s is pioneering minimally invasive procedures, like ApiFix, which offer substantial benefits over traditional fusion surgery including a smaller incision and shorter hospital stay. The Dayton Children’s orthopedics division is also recognized for its state-of-the art gait lab, the innovative Center for the Female Athlete program, approach to ACL reconstruction and rehab, and care for congenital conditions, like clubfoot and arthrogryposis. 

“We are thrilled to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the work being done in our orthopedics division for the fifth year in a row,” said Michael Albert, MD, chief, pediatric orthopedics at Dayton Children’s.

“We know that having convenient, world-class orthopedics care close to home matters to the families we care for. This ranking demonstrates our continued commitment to families in our region and beyond.” 

behavioral health at Dayton Children’s 

Behavioral health has been a focus for the hospital over the last several years after recognizing the size and scale of the mental health crisis among children and teens. To respond, the hospital will be opening The Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness in 2025, which will double the available space for mental health patients. In addition, the behavioral health program offers robust and specialized therapy programs, provides student resiliency coordinators in nearly 40 schools throughout Dayton and supports the On Our Sleeves movement for mental health, which focuses on prevention and emotional wellbeing. 

“We are pleased to have our adolescent behavioral health program ranked by U.S. News & World Report,” said Kelly Blankenship, DO, associate medical officer for behavioral health and division chief of psychiatry at Dayton Children’s.

“At Dayton Children’s, we are committed to addressing the youth mental health crisis and will continue to work with our community to meet the growing demand for services. We are honored to have our work recognized in this way.” 

U.S. News, together with RTI International, a North Carolina-based research and consulting firm, collected and analyzed data from 108 children’s hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Children’s hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care and expert opinion among pediatric specialists. 

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact:

Katie Solovey
public relations manager
937-641-3666

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

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July 24, 2023 | news post

Dayton Children’s receives Magnet designation® for a third time

Magnet designation® is nursing’s highest honor

Magnet designation® is one of the most prestigious honors a hospital can achieve, and Dayton Children’s Hospital received it for the third time on Monday, July 24, 2023.

This is nursing’s highest honor, meaning Dayton Children’s Hospital has been recognized nationally as the gold standard in patient care and the professional practice of nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Dayton Children’s is one of 39 Magnet-designated hospitals in Ohio. The 612 Magnet designated organizations represent approximately 10% of all U.S. health care organizations. Magnet hospitals have lower patient mortality, fewer medical complications, improved patient and employee safety, and higher patient and staff satisfaction.

Overall

  • 10% of hospitals in the US are designated Magnet
  • In Ohio, we are 1 of 39 hospitals designated Magnet
  • In the U.S., we are 1 of 612 hospitals designated Magnet

Pediatric facilities

  • In Ohio, we are 1 of 4 pediatric hospitals designated Magnet
  • In the U.S., we are 1 of 48 pediatric hospitals designated Magnet

“Receiving Magnet re-designation is a huge win not only for Dayton Children’s nurses and staff but also for our patient families and the community,” says Jayne Gmeiner, MS, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer.  “The kids we treat are truly the real winners here because this is just another reminder of the amazing care by the best nurses available to patient families throughout the region.”

The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes.

In order to achieve Magnet designation, Dayton Children’s achieved a comprehensive set of criteria measuring the strength and quality of nursing.   To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

contact us

If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact:

Katie Solovey
public relations manager
937-641-3666

email

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care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

find a provider
schedule appointment
conditions we treat

July 18, 2023 | news post

Dayton Children’s earns verification as Level 1 Surgery Center

American College of Surgeons recognizes hospital for quality surgical care

Dayton Children’s Hospital received verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center. This is the highest level attainable, proving once again to parents that they can rely on Dayton Children’s to provide the best care for their child, even in the toughest circumstances.

The ACS Children’s Surgery Verification (CSV) Quality Improvement Program confirms that Dayton Children’s provides the highest quality, safe surgical care. It specifically addresses the surgical care of infants and children, because they are not just little adults. They have unique needs before, during and after surgery. This program is based upon the standards that define the resources believed necessary to achieve optimal patient outcomes for children’s surgical care.

To achieve this verification, Dayton Children’s underwent a comprehensive review of hospital data and a site visit at the hospital’s two surgery centers in Dayton and Springboro. Through the verification process, ACS surveyors looked at quality measures, multidisciplinary clinical programs and surgical staff.

“When it comes to your child, any surgery, regardless of how minor it may seem, is a big deal,” said Daniel Robie, MD, surgeon-in-chief and associate medical officer at Dayton Children’s. “We take that responsibility very seriously. Our goal is to make the entire experience exceptional by providing wrap-around support and getting your child back to doing what they do best – being a kid.”

what it means for Harper

This attention to detail and wrap-around care was crucial to Jessica Teegarden when her daughter Harper was born with gastroschisis. Gastroschisis happens when the abdominal wall does not close during fetal life, and the abdominal organs are outside at birth. In complex cases, like Harper’s, there may also be a twist in the intestine which results in a significant loss of intestine. This can cause the infant to be dependent on nutrition through an IV.

After she was born, Harper was transferred to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at Dayton Children’s Hospital. She underwent a series of surgeries over the next year to reconnect her intestine and place it back into the abdomen. Today, Harper is a happy, thriving three-year-old who eats what she wants and all she needs.

“It all seems like it’s never going to end but these kinds of complex cases just take time,” says Jessica. “When you look back on it, you just become so appreciative of everyone who was involved in your child’s case.”

surveyor’s comments

Some of the strengths the surveyors pointed out included:

  • Sensitivity and support of the child with special needs with innovative sensory rooms
  • Programs that support the child before and after surgery such as:
    • The child life program
    • The hospitalist program
    • The dialysis program
  • Programs that support the treatment of abused children
  • Participation in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to track surgical data, measure quality and improve outcomes
  • Inclusion of information technology and automation
  • Creating and implementing educational and outreach programs
  • Involvement at state and regional levels in care planning and development
  • Leadership of the surgical program, operating room and anesthesia
  • Support from the hospital administration
  • Research productivity

fast facts

  • There are only 57 Level 1 Children’s Surgery Centers nationwide.
  • Dayton Children’s performs more than 13,000 surgeries every year at two surgery centers.
  • Some of the most common surgeries at Dayton Children’s are:
    • Ear tubes
    • Hernia
    • Circumcision
    • Scoliosis
  • Some unique and specialized surgical programs at Dayton Children’s include:
    • Advanced pain management techniques including cryoablation
    • Leading provider of ApiFix spine correction surgery
    • Minimally invasive techniques
    • Use of the Rosa Robot for epilepsy surgery
  • The hospital employs 116 board-certified surgery staff
    • 37 board-certified surgeons across eight surgical subspecialties
    • 20+ pediatric anesthesiologists
  • The child life team at Dayton Children’s helps patients feel less anxious before and after surgery with distraction and calming techniques.

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Media inquiries can be made by email or calling 937-641-3666. After hours, call 937-641-3000 and ask for the marketing person on-call.

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related posts

 

 

care that goes above and beyond

Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.

find a provider
schedule appointment
conditions we treat

January 10, 2022 | news post

Dayton Children’s Hospital receives the 2022 Women’s Choice Award® as a Best Children’s Hospital

Dayton Children’s Hospital is named as a Best Children’s Hospital and Best Pediatric Emergency Care by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in health care.

“Our Best Children’s Hospitals award raises awareness of the top-quality care offered for children. The best hospitals embrace families as an integral part of health care and improving children’s outcomes,” said Delia Passi, CEO and founder of the Women’s Choice Award.

“We found in our studies that 75 percent of women associate children’s hospitals with care for seriously ill children and nearly 50 percent of women are unfamiliar with the offerings of a children’s hospital,” said Passi.  “Our goal at the Women’s Choice Award is to help moms—and parents—make educated, confident decisions about where to take their children for a wide range of health care services.”

The winners represent hospitals that have met the highest standards for children’s health care.   

“At Dayton Children’s, parents and guardians know we treat their children as if they are our own,” says Deborah A. Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital. “We are honored that the Women’s Choice Award proves that trust.”

The designation of Best Children’s Hospitals is based on a point system and self-reported data from almost 60 children’s hospitals in the nation.

The intent of the honor is to identify children’s hospitals that mothers and fathers can take their children to with the expectation that they will receive excellent and comprehensive care. The award criteria examine five different facility areas to determine which hospital is eligible for the Women’s Choice Award. These areas are pediatric services, technology and family resources, board-certified staff, nurses and support staff, and the facility’s commitment to quality.  Zero through five points are assigned to each measure with the exception of NICU, which earns five points for a Level IV and two points for a Level III.  Points for hospital staffing were assigned based on the number of beds per board-certified pediatric professional, with those having the least average beds scoring the most points. Each of these results was also weighted based on the average beds per physician for all reporting hospitals.

Additionally, a children’s hospital earned the Best Children’s Emergency Care Award if they scored five points for their pediatric emergency department based on the facility’s hospital staffing, if they had a pediatric intensive care unit and an accredited, pediatric trauma center.

For more information on the 2022 Best Children’s Hospitals visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/best-childrens-hospitals/

about the Women’s Choice Award®

The Women’s Choice Award® is a trusted referral source, empowering women to make smart health care choices by identifying the country’s best health care institutions based on robust criteria that consider female patient satisfaction and clinical excellence. The Women’s Choice Award has been honored by the INC 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for three consecutive years. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more. 

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.

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April 25, 2019 | news post

Dayton Children’s Hospital receives Excellence in Healthcare Award

Professional Research Consultants recognizes industry’s best

Dayton Children’s Hospital was recognized with a 5-Star Excellence Award for scoring in the top 10% nationally for physician engagement and a 4-star Excellence Award for scoring in the top 25% nationally for nursing care, patient safety, quality of care and as a place to practice medicine by national healthcare research leader Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC).

The Excellence in Healthcare Awards recognize organizations and individuals who achieve excellence throughout the year by improving patient experiences, healthcare employee engagement, and/or physician alignment and engagement based on surveys of their physicians.

“It is an honor to recognize Dayton Children’s with these Excellence in Healthcare Awards for their deserving work,” said Joe M. Inguanzo, PhD, president and CEO of PRC. “It takes true dedication and determination to achieve this level of excellence in healthcare and Dayton Children’s has shown their commitment to making their hospital a better place to work, a better place to practice medicine and a better place for patients to be treated.”

“We are proud to have such an engaged physician and nursing workforce, however the true winners of such awards are our patients,” says Adam Mezoff, MD, chief medical officer and vice president of health care transformation for Dayton Children’s. “When you have a staff that is this dedicated to going above and beyond, you can truly say that our patients get the very best expert pediatric care.”

To learn more about the 2019 Excellence in Healthcare Awards, including eligibility and criteria, visit PRCCustomResearch.com.

About PRC

Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) is a national healthcare market research company. For more than 35 years, PRC has facilitated millions of interviews, delivered insightful reports and provided customized research solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations. Services measure community perceptions, brand positions, patient experience, physician alignment and engagement, and employee engagement. PRC is also a certified vendor for government-mandated CAHPS surveys and has partnered with more than 400 communities across the U.S. to conduct Community Health Needs Assessments.

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.

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April 22, 2010 | news post

Terry Wiegel awarded Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Elwood Chaney Outstanding Clinician Award

Dayton Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce that Terry Wiegel, director of rehabilitative services at Dayton Children’s, has been awarded the 2010 Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (OSLHA) Elwood Chaney Outstanding Clinician Award. 

The award recognizes an individual’s significant accomplishments in the advancement of clinical practice and service in speech-language pathology and/or audiology. 

Wiegel, of Springfield, was nominated by rehabilitative services staff members Donna Edwards and Lee Ann Damian. 

Her supervisor recognizes the outstanding rapport she has with her staff. 

“Her leadership style is very positive and participatory. She is an absolute role model for high professional standards,” he said.

In his nomination letter,  he also notes that Wiegel’s management of rehabilitative services has made a tremendous impact on the hospital. 

“She continues to develop several new clinical programs, maintains high level of productivity, creates a culture of extremely high staff morale and does so with a tremendous sense of professionalism, good humor and commitment to patients.” 

Wiegel has worked at Dayton Children’s for 20 years and has been the director of rehabilitative services for 17. Before that she worked for the Hearing and Speech Center for 10 years. 

“I was completely surprised and touched to find out that several of my coworkers had nominated me for this award,” Wiegel says. “It will certainly be a highlight of my career, and I hope that I can continue giving back to my job and profession.” 

“Terry made a decision a couple of years ago not to accept holiday gifts from her staff,” says co-worker Lee Ann Damian. “Instead, she wanted her staff to give the money they would have used for her gift to a cause that was related to rehabilitation. This past year, the money went to Operation Smile, an organization that provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip/palate and facial deformities around the world. This gesture shows her dedication to the profession as well as her selflessness.” 

Wiegel is an active member of Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA) and is now its director of marketing. Founded in 1945, OSLHA is a professional association representing more than 2,800 speech-language pathologists and audiologists throughout Ohio. OSLHA members provide services for the evaluation and rehabilitation of communicative disorders. 

Wiegel will accept her award Friday, March 12 at OSLHA’s annual convention in Columbus.

For more information, contact: 

Marketing Communications Department 

Phone: 937-641-3666 

marketing@childrensdayton.org

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If you are interested in pursuing a story about Dayton Children’s please contact public relations manager, Katie Solovey, at 937-673-4941 or by filling out a media inquiry through our contact us form.

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