Children's Hospital L.A.

We’re proud to announce that @usnews has named Children’s Hospital Los Angeles one of the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the country on its 2025-26 Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll. This is the 17th year in a row CHLA has earned a place in the top 10. U.S. News & World Report ranks children’s hospitals for their clinical expertise and patient outcomes in 11 different medical specialties, and we have once again been nationally ranked in all 11. Read more about this exciting news in our link in bio.

We wrapped up Team CHLA Week with an Ice Cream Social!🍦 We're so grateful to every CHLA team member that has contributed to advancing CHLA’s 125-year-old mission of hope and healing.

For NICU babies, even the smallest touch can make a big difference ❤️ When families practice skin-to-skin care—also known as kangaroo care—it helps regulate heart rate, body temperature, and oxygen levels, while supporting stronger growth and shorter hospital stays. During our NICU Kangaroo-a-Thon, we’re celebrating the incredible impact families have on healing and encouraging as much safe skin-to-skin time as possible. Whether it’s 10 minutes or several hours, these moments make a difference in infant outcomes and strengthen the family bond. Thank you to all of our Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit parents for showing up with strength, love, and endless dedication for your babies.

Teens today are surrounded by screens—for entertainment, for connection, and often as their only hobby. But not all digital experiences are safe or healthy. Disturbing content, cyberbullying, and constant comparison can take a real emotional toll. In this video, Dr. Anya Griffin, Psychologist and Co-Director, Behavioral Health Institute at CHLA, shares why teens are so vulnerable online and how families can support healthier habits and real‑world hobbies that help them thrive. Learn more about screen time and its effects on teens—and what you can do about it: https://bit.ly/4fcCb2H

When Lauren, a CHLA NICU nurse, first locked eyes with Niko, she felt an instant connection. Niko was born prematurely at 28 weeks, and Lauren became his nurse when he was just 5 days old. He faced complex medical challenges, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a chronic lung disease, and two brain bleeds that required four surgeries. Over the course of 179 days in CHLA’s Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit, the bond between Niko and Lauren only grew stronger, ultimately leading Lauren to become his foster mom—and later, his adoptive mom. Today, Niko is in TK and loves school buses, fire trucks, and riding his scooter. And when his biological brother, Julien, was born and needed a home, Lauren knew exactly where he belonged—with Niko. Earlier this year, Julien’s adoption became official. Now, the family is thriving. They love spending time outdoors and traveling, with the boys already becoming seasoned explorers. Lauren continues to care for NICU babies at CHLA and hopes her story inspires others to consider adopting children with complex medical needs. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Lauren—and all maternal figures—whose love, compassion, and courage create families and change lives.

Extraordinary nursing care has a ripple effect. 💙 Maria was just 15 years old in 2013 when her son, James, was born with gastroschisis and transferred to CHLA for care in their Neonatal and Infant Critical Care Unit. That’s when she met Sarah Hartwig—a NICU nurse whose compassion moved Maria so deeply, she decided she wanted to pursue the same career path someday. Earlier this year, Sarah received a prestigious @thedaisyfoundation award for excellence in nursing. Her nomination letter came from a young mom she’d cared for more than 12 years ago. “At a time when I felt small, scared, and unworthy, Sarah saw me… Because of Sarah, I am now a NICU nurse. She lit a spark in me that has never gone out, and I carry her example with me in every shift I work.” Read their full story at the link in bio. #NursesWeek

We are officially one month away from Walk & Play L.A.—happening Saturday June 6 at the Santa Monica Pier! 🌟 Have you signed up yet? CHLA’s biggest community event of the year is a day of fun and philanthropy in support of young patients at CHLA. And this year is extra special: Walk & Play L.A. celebrates its 10th anniversary, and CHLA marks 125 years of caring for kids. Each step on the 3K path echoes your support, helping us continue providing life‑changing care for the children who need it most—and need it now. Together, we’re saving lives every step of the way. Register today at the link in bio.

At CHLA, nurses are more than caregivers—they are trusted partners, advocates, and a constant source of compassion for patients and families. 💙 This #NursesWeek, we honor the extraordinary nurses whose clinical expertise and human connection are central to our mission. Because CHLA cares for children with a wide spectrum of complex conditions from around the world, our nurses bring exceptional skill to every interaction, every shift, and every step of the care journey. Thank you to our CHLA nurses for all you do!

Please join us in welcoming the 25 new RN residents who joined CHLA's April 2026 cohort! CHLA’s RN Residency in Pediatrics is a nationally distinguished program and highly sought destination for pediatric nurses seeking to build upon their theoretical education. Learn more about the program at the link in bio.

At CHLA, every bell-ringing moment tells a story of strength, hope, and the power of pediatric care. 💙 Avery was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was just 3 years old. After surgery and intensive treatment at CHLA, he is now 5 years old, loving TK, playing tee ball, and continuing to thrive. That’s why we’re proud to be the charity partner of the 2026 @longbeachtriathlon , taking place July 19, 2026. Funds raised by participating triathletes help support CHLA’s mission to create hope and build healthier futures for children like Avery. Support pediatric cancer research and learn more about the Long Beach Triathlon at the link in bio. #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth

Screens can be a quick fix on busy days, and every parent has been there. But as Dr. Marian Williams reminds us, toddlers learn best through real connection: your voice, your eye contact, your presence. Those tiny moments of talking, singing, playing, reading, or simply noticing the world together are what truly help their brains grow. Toddlers also learn by watching us. When we put our own phones down, they understand that real interaction matters. Simple, open‑ended toys and plenty of movement help them explore, build skills, and understand their bodies in the world in ways screens cannot. Read our pediatrician approved guide for navigating your child’s screen time from infancy to adolescence (link in bio).

As #DonateLifeMonth comes to a close, we’re honored to share the stories of Iris and Olivia—two CHLA kidney transplant recipients whose lives have been forever changed by the gift of donation. Their journeys are a powerful reminder that organ donation saves lives, restores hope, and creates futures.