By Jane Humphrey By Jane Humphrey | October 31, 2024 | People, Lifestyle,
Through healing hearts and helping hands, Scottish Rite for Children remains steadfast nationwide and beyond.
“The feeling of being seen and heard, of knowing that you matter, is crucial to the healing process,” shares chief of staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. “At Scottish Rite, we are child-focused. We get down on our knees, look a child in the eye and seek to understand their needs to best serve them. We give children back their childhood.” Having been a treasured staple within the North Texas community for over a century (established in 1921), Scottish Rite for Children continues to soar as a world-renowned leader in treating pediatric orthopedic conditions, and its patients are traveling here from all over the map. “Not only does Scottish Rite have a strong presence in the Dallas community, but it is also known for its excellence in patient experience nationally,” shares president and CEO for Scottish Rite for Children’s Bob Walker. “This year, NRC Health honored Scottish Rite for Children with the Excellence in Patient Experience Award for the eighth time in the nationwide pediatric category. Honorees are recognized for their efforts to consistently deliver outstanding patient experiences.” And, deliver they certainly do—with grace and gusto. From scoliosis, clubfoot, hand differences, and hip disorders, the compassionate team of experts’ unwavering commitment to children goes beyond the physical sense. They adhere to address three critical pillars for every child— the body, mind, and spirit. Offering a bevy of individualized therapies with inimitable in-house specialists, every child receives a regimen tailor-made to them. An additional component to adding a sense of playfulness to keep children in good disposition, the hospital hosts a myriad of recreational programs and specialized sports. With three locations within North Texas, the Dallas location is the largest—871,000 square feet perched on 15 acres of land. “When a patient’s family arrives, their every observation and interaction is an opportunity for us to show how much we care,” notes Walker. “As they approach, they notice the colorful playground and the lush, green lawn. It is not uncommon to get a wave from our amazing grounds crew or help to cross the street from one of our friendly security officers. Inside, the aroma of popcorn fills the air, and our visitors receive a warm welcome from volunteers around every corner. By the time patient families check-in, we hope they feel welcomed and have a sense of peace, safety and assurance that they are in the right place.” For families, the kind of care provided by the warm-hearted team of experts here is unparalleled.
“We believe how we treat our patients and families characterizes who we are. The children and adolescents we care for are the center of everything we do.” —DANIEL SUCATO, M.D., M.S.
Scottish Rite for Children has been a pillar in the community for over 100 years and continues to propel forward with innovative thought, state-of-the-art equipment and a team of experts.
FUN FACT According to U.S. News World Report’s 2024-2025 “Best Hospitals for Pediatric Orthopedics” rankings, Scottish Rite for Children ranks No. 2 in the nation for pediatric orthopedic care. This places Scottish Rite at No. 1 for pediatric orthopedics in Texas and the Southwest region, which includes Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma. “We believe that the patient experience should be extraordinary from start to finish,” said President and CEO Bob Walker. “As a national leader and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in Texas, hundreds of thousands of children have benefited from our exemplary patient care, innovative research and the unrivaled education of our fellows, residents and other medical professionals who go on to provide transformative care around the world.”
Photography by: PHOTOS BY J. TURNBOW PHOTOGRAPHY