1Provide the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment.

2Provide for the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

3Conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families.

Additionally, four hospitals specialize in providing medical care to kids with burn injuries. Shriners entered the field of burn care in the 1960s after recognizing a lack of medical expertise in the field. Shriners Hospitals treats children with acute, fresh burns; conducts reconstructive and restorative surgeries on kids with healed burns; treats children with severe scarring that limits mobility; and also helps kids with scarring or facial deformities caused by burns.

Spinal cord rehabilitation units are located within three Shriners Hospitals. These units provide long-term rehabilitation and intensive physical, occupational and recreational therapies for children with spinal cord injuries. One of the hospitals, located in Sacramento, Calif., provides care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns and spinal cord injuries. Moreover, Shriners Hospitals for Children established a cleft lip and palate program in 2005. This program provides lip and palate repair, nasal reconstruction, facial work and dental procedures, as well as audiological, speech and psychological services.

Admission to a Shriners Hospital is based on medical need. All children, up to the age of 18, are eligible for admission if they can benefit from the specialized services available at Shriners Hospitals. Applications can also be obtained from any Shriner or Shrine Club; by writing to Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631; or by calling 800-237-5055. (In Canada, call 800-361-7256.) Completed applications should be returned to the nearest Shriners Hospital for Children.

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