Blank Children's Hospital

04/24/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Dunkin' Joy In Childhood Foundation for a generous $5,000 grant supporting our Music Therapists. Their generosity provided new instruments to use in patient interactions, including guitars, ukeleles, sound bellows and drums! 🎶 🎸 🥁

This new equipment helps comfort emotions, aid in development and promote healing across Blank Children's Hospital. Additionally, Music Therapy is now more accessible for patients at the Deb and Bob Pulver Center thanks to new designated instruments for those areas. 💙

04/23/2026

Get to Know Dr. Grant Perry! 💙

Dr. Grant Perry cares for critically ill children at Blank Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). He grew up in Georgia, attended medical school in Kentucky and trained in Las Vegas and Southern California before making his way to Iowa four years ago. Dr. Perry is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric critical care. Here’s a quick peek behind the white coat:
• Creative Outlet: When he isn’t seeing patients he can be found furniture making, hand-stitching leather goods or mowing unique patterns into his lawn.
• Why Pediatrics? The energy children bring and their innate desire to get better. Kids can be going through the toughest times, but at the end of the day, they just want to play and be kids. ✨
• Why Blank Children’s? The team atmosphere and commitment to grow together and walking alongside families from all backgrounds during their child’s illness. This community is invested in caring for children, and I can feel that each time I come to work.
• If he didn’t choose to be a provider, you might have found him chasing his dream to be a PGA tour golfer. ⛳

04/22/2026

In this video, one of our occupational therapy providers shares some of their favorite fun and effective activities to support hand strength and coordination at home!

For Occupational Therapy Month, join us in celebrating the incredible work of our therapists and the difference they make in helping kids thrive! 💙

04/21/2026

Our youngest patients had a fun play date today with two Iowa Cubs. Thanks to infielder BJ Murray and pitcher Yacksel Rios for making time for the visit! Good luck this season from your friends at Blank Children's!

04/17/2026

Thank You Iowa Realty! 🌟

This week, the UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Foundation presented Iowa Realty with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for their outstanding generosity. For 20 years, Iowa Realty served as the presenting sponsor of Festival of Trees & Lights. Together, their team has helped raise more than $1.1 million to support programs, Child Life services and patient care across Central Iowa. 💙

04/16/2026

Kudos to Amy Couchman, MA, CCC-SLP, CNT, and Jill Kellis, MSPT, on their recertification as Certified Neonatal Therapists! 👶💙

This achievement reflects their advanced expertise and commitment to providing the highest level of care in the NICU. Through evaluation and testing, they’ve demonstrated the specialized knowledge and experience needed to support our tiniest patients and their families.

04/14/2026

We are teaming up for a great cause. ❤️🏒 Get special offer tickets and bring items to donate. https://www.gofevo.com/group/UnitypointWild26

We are hosting a Youth Clothing Drive with Blank Children's Hospital during Fan Appreciation Weekend! Accepted items include NEW Boys and Girls Clothing (6-12 months, 12-18m, 18m-2T, 3T, 4T, 5T), socks and underwear (all sizes), and backpacks.

Please drop your donations in the designated bins at all entrances before finding your seats!
🎟️--> https://pulse.ly/kjqvaaza67

04/13/2026

Celebrate Earth Day with us! 🌎💚
Join fellow moms and moms-to-be on April 22 from 10–11 a.m. for or Mother(ing) Earth Day event. We’ll stroll together while helping clean up our community!

04/11/2026

We had a special visit from Dowling Catholic High School Boys Soccer! ⚽ 💕

Their team hosted a donation drive to collect toiletries and care items for patients staying in the hospital. Items like these make a huge difference for families receiving care, and their generosity provided a much-needed restock on our patient floors.

Many thanks for their incredible donation! 👏

04/10/2026

Happy World Music Therapy Week! 🎶 🎸

Our Child Life and Music Therapy team has two amazing Music Therapists who bring joy, calm and connection to patients every day. Music therapy is an important service that helps children express feelings, manage emotions, improve motor skills, enhance memory and so much more. Music therapy is fully donor-funded and wouldn't be possible without community support. 💕

👏 Thank you to our amazing Music Therapists!

04/10/2026

Today is Every Child Matters Day, a vital part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, loved and heard. Use this coloring sheet and have kids share what makes them feel safe. Protecting our children is a community-wide commitment and the Blank Children’s STAR Center has dedicated team members providing compassionate care when it’s needed most. 💙

04/08/2026

We were honored to attend and speak at the recent Aiming for a Cure Foundation banquet to celebrate their incredible partnership with Blank Children's Hospital. 💕

✨ Their support helps patients like Sage and his family, who spoke about Sage's cancer journey and how organizations like Aiming for a Cure make a true difference in supporting families like theirs.

This year, Aiming for a Cure generously gave $30,000 to support the Compassion Fund, Child Life school re-entry program and mental health support, as well as $20,000 in gift cards for families at Blank Children's Cancer & Blood Disorders Center. 💙