UW Health Kids

12/23/2025

✨Wishing you comfort and hope this holiday season.✨

12/22/2025

Santa made a special stop at American Family Children’s Hospital last week, making spirits bright and bringing holiday magic to patients of all ages. ✨

12/18/2025

👣👣 Today at Women and Children's Hospital there’s a double dose of adorable.

We’re grateful to share in these first special moments with every family welcoming a new arrival.

12/12/2025

✨ The lobby tree sparkles, but it’s the joy and wonder of our patients that light up the season. ✨

12/11/2025

Alida Yee is a nurse practitioner caring for some of our tiniest patients in the Pediatric Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program at the American Family Children's Hospital.

"My patients have taught me the power of resilience. Even with heart conditions—they are kids first. They goof around, they play, they go to school, they smile and laugh. Their heart condition is only one part of who they are. Their resilience, their ability to keep being kids every day despite their heart condition, is incredible."

One of the most rewarding parts of her job is being part of strong partnerships within UW Health as well as with outside organizations. Teaming with providers in other pediatric subspecialties and our adult heart transplant program create opportunities to seek opinions and expertise from institutions around the country. This ensures our pediatric patients and their families receive the highest quality of care close to home.

Outside of work, Alida embraces new challenges—she learned to downhill ski last winter and completed her first 5K, enjoying active time with her husband and daughter.

12/09/2025

When Sara noticed a flat spot on her son Cal’s head, she went to a pediatric physical therapist for help. The therapist suspected craniosynostosis, a condition where a baby’s skull plates fuse too soon. Thanks to a quick connection with our neurosurgery and craniofacial specialists, Cal was able to be treated with a less invasive surgery.

12/05/2025

Who’s your team this weekend? Tell us below! 🐻🧀

Double the fun, double the rivalry! Twins often share everything—except maybe their favorite team. When parents root for rivals, will these tiny fans unite or pick sides? Who are YOU rooting for this weekend? Drop a 🐻 or a 🧀 in the comments!

12/04/2025

Santa traded his sleigh for a firetruck! 🎅🚒 With help from City of Madison Fire Department and Fire Fighters Local 311, he led a parade of emergency vehicles around American Family Children’s Hospital, waving to kids watching from windows and the lobby—a tradition that’s brightened the holidays for 65 years.

12/02/2025

Meet 9-year-old Carolyn who recently visited American Family Children’s Hospital for a scheduled MRI scan. Kiko and her handler Brianna from our Child Life team were present to provide education and preparation for the upcoming IV placement and imaging scan. This helped Carolyn know exactly what to expect for the full procedure. Kiko was by her side to build rapport, alleviate anxieties and encourage open discussion. Carolyn coped incredibly well with her procedure and completed her MRI without anxiety, fears or misconceptions.

Kiko recently celebrated a milestone—her 2,000th patient interaction. Carolyn is one of many kids who has benefitted from the comfort and compassion our CHAMPs dogs provide. They help young patients feel informed and empowered during their hospital experience. 🦮💕2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

11/28/2025

Has Child Life helped ease a hard moment for your family? You can help another child feel that same comfort.

Our virtual toy drive supports the Child Life program at American Family Children’s Hospital, which helps kids cope with medical experiences through play, distraction and emotional support. From toys and activities to special events, Child Life creates moments that make the hospital feel a little less overwhelming for more than 5,000 children and families each year.

🎁 Let’s fill the hospital with hope, one gift at a time. Through December 31, American Family Insurance will match every dollar you give up to $50,000. https://uw.health/4oPnHK6

11/26/2025

We were proud to celebrate Alfie as Honorary Captain for Wisconsin Women's Hockey. His journey with UW Health Kids specialists at American Family Children's Hospital started with a leukemia diagnosis. He then survived sepsis and a cardiac arrest and pushed through months of rehab, showing just how strong a kid can be. Today he’s skating, smiling and proving resilience is real. 💙🏒✨

11/14/2025

The Neonatal Education Simulation and Training Center (NEST) at UnityPoint Health – Meriter gives NICU teams a space to practice real-life scenarios and strengthen communication—because when everyone is better trained and resources are shared across the region, our tiniest patients receive the best care possible.