Nemours Children’s Health and its online resource, Nemours KidsHealth, were created to help children grow up as healthy as possible by combining expert medical care, reliable health information, and strong community partnerships.
For parents, this means two kinds of support:
- High-quality pediatric care at children’s hospitals, primary care clinics, and specialty practices.
- Free, doctor-reviewed health information written in everyday language for parents, kids, and teens.
From One Man’s Legacy to a National Children’s Health System
Nemours grew from the vision and philanthropy of industrialist Alfred I. duPont, who dedicated much of his estate to improving children’s health.
| Key Milestone | What It Means for Families |
|---|---|
| Creation of The Nemours Foundation (1930s) | Ensured long-term funding for pediatric care, research, and health education. |
| Early children’s hospital in Delaware | Started as a specialty orthopedic hospital and gradually became a full-service children’s hospital. |
| Expansion into multiple states | Nemours now provides care in Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other locations. |
| Launch of KidsHealth.org | Created one of the world’s most-visited online resources for pediatric health information. |
Today, Nemours Children’s Health is recognized as one of the largest integrated pediatric health systems in the United States and cares for hundreds of thousands of children each year.
What Makes Nemours a “Children’s Health System”
Nemours is more than a single hospital; it is an integrated network focused only on children. This network blends:
- Hospitals dedicated to kids, such as Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.
- More than 70 primary and specialty care locations across several states.
- Telehealth and digital tools that help families access care and records from home.
According to Nemours, this integrated structure is intended to make care more coordinated, family-centered, and focused on long-term health, not just single visits.
Where Families Can Find Nemours Care
Nemours provides pediatric services in several regions of the United States.
- Delaware Valley – Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, plus clinics and primary care sites in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
- Central and North Florida – Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida in Orlando, and clinics in areas such as Jacksonville and Pensacola.
- Additional locations – Specialty and primary care practices in multiple communities, sometimes in partnership with local health systems.
Families can often find:
- Pediatric primary care for checkups, vaccines, and everyday illnesses.
- Specialty care for complex conditions, such as heart problems, diabetes, or orthopedic issues.
- Urgent or same-day care for non-emergency needs.
Whole-Child Care: Medicine and Much More
Nemours describes its approach as going “well beyond medicine,” aiming to support not only physical health but also the everyday conditions that shape a child’s life.
Key parts of this whole-child approach include:
- Family-centered care – Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take an active role in care planning and decision-making.
- Attention to mental and emotional health – Behavioral health and developmental services are offered in many settings.
- Attention to social determinants of health – Nemours works to address factors such as housing, nutrition, transportation, and safe neighborhoods that strongly influence children’s health.
Nemours KidsHealth: Trusted Guidance for Everyday Questions
Nemours powers Nemours KidsHealth, a free, advertising-free website that offers health information from before birth through the teen years.
According to Nemours, KidsHealth is the most-visited site for pediatric health information and is widely used by families, schools, and clinicians.
What Families Will Find on KidsHealth
- Hundreds of doctor-reviewed articles on topics such as common illnesses, growth and development, emotional well-being, and safety.
- Separate sections for parents, kids, and teens, with age-appropriate language and examples.
- Multimedia tools, including slideshows, videos, and interactive resources designed to teach health concepts in a simple, engaging way.
- Lesson plans and programs to support teachers and early childhood educators.
All content on KidsHealth is developed or reviewed by pediatric specialists and follows evidence-based medical standards.
Clinical Excellence and National Recognition
Nemours Children’s hospitals receive regular national recognition for quality and safety in pediatric care.
- Nemours hospitals have earned top rankings in multiple pediatric specialties from U.S. News & World Report, including cardiology, orthopedics, and diabetes & endocrinology.
- These rankings reflect factors such as outcomes, patient safety, nurse staffing, and specialized programs.
Nemours reports that its clinical teams participate in continuous quality-improvement projects, clinical guidelines, and safety initiatives to improve care year after year.
Research and Innovation for Children’s Health
In addition to medical care, Nemours invests heavily in pediatric research and clinical trials to better understand, prevent, and treat childhood conditions.
- Research areas include chronic diseases, rare disorders, mental health, and health services (how care is delivered).
- Nemours partners with major medical schools and universities to train future pediatric specialists and conduct joint studies.
- Some research focuses on preventing diseases or reversing early damage, not just managing symptoms.
Families may be invited to take part in clinical studies, which can provide access to new treatments and help improve care for other children in the future.
Prevention, Education, and Community Health
Nemours does not limit its work to hospital walls. Through prevention and community health programs, it aims to improve the overall conditions in which children live, learn, and play.
Examples of Prevention and Community Efforts
- Healthy eating and physical activity programs in schools and community centers, aimed at reducing childhood obesity and related diseases.
- Partnerships with schools and early care providers using KidsHealth materials and structured programs to teach health topics.
- Policy and advocacy work supporting healthier environments for children, such as safer neighborhoods and better access to preventive care.
These efforts reflect the understanding that health is shaped as much by daily life and community resources as by clinic visits.
Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Children’s Care
Nemours emphasizes inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) as central to its mission of helping every child reach their best health.
- Initiatives focus on building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities served.
- Nemours works to reduce disparities in health outcomes linked to race, income, or location.
- Families are encouraged to share their language needs, cultural practices, and preferences so that care can be respectful and personalized.
How Nemours Uses Technology to Support Families
Nemours was an early adopter of electronic health records and uses digital tools to help families stay connected to their child’s care.
- Secure online access to parts of the child’s medical record and visit summaries.
- Electronic prescription tools that send medications directly to pharmacies.
- Telehealth visits for some follow-ups and specialty care, which can reduce travel time and missed school or work.
These tools are intended to make care more convenient without replacing the in-person relationships that are so important in pediatrics.
Working With Nemours as a Parent or Caregiver
Parents partnering with Nemours or using KidsHealth can take several practical steps to get the most benefit:
- Prepare for visits by writing down questions and concerns ahead of time.
- Use KidsHealth articles to understand a diagnosis, treatment, or upcoming test, then discuss what you read with your child’s clinician.
- Ask about community resources if your family needs help with transportation, food, housing, or mental health support.
- Engage your child or teen by encouraging them to read or watch age-appropriate health content and to ask their own questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Nemours Children’s Health only for serious medical conditions?
No. Nemours provides both routine pediatric care (like checkups, vaccines, and treatment of common illnesses) and highly specialized care for complex medical needs. Families can access primary care clinics as well as advanced specialty services in many locations.
Do I need a referral to use Nemours services?
The need for a referral depends on your insurance plan and the type of care. Many families can schedule appointments directly with primary care or some specialty clinics, while other services may require a referral from a primary care provider. It is best to check your insurance requirements and call the specific Nemours location for details.
Is the information on Nemours KidsHealth reliable?
According to Nemours, KidsHealth content is written and reviewed by pediatric health professionals and is based on current medical evidence. Articles are updated regularly and are designed to be easy for families to understand without replacing medical advice from a clinician.
Does Nemours offer support beyond medical treatment?
Yes. Nemours works on prevention, health education, and community programs that address nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and social factors like housing and safety. Social workers, care coordinators, and community partners often help connect families with additional resources.
Q: How is Nemours addressing health equity for children?
A: Through its IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) initiatives and population health efforts, Nemours aims to reduce disparities in care and outcomes. This includes improving workforce diversity, tailoring services to community needs, and working with partners to create healthier environments for all children.
References
- Nemours Children’s Health System — Trust for America’s Health. 2018-07-26. https://www.tfah.org/story/nemours-childrens-health-system/
- Nemours Children’s Health System — OpenNotes. 2021-05-10. https://www.opennotes.org/institution/nemours-childrens-health-system/
- Nemours Children’s Health Among the Nation’s Best in the Latest U.S. News & World Report Rankings — Nemours Children’s Health. 2024-10-08. https://nemours.mediaroom.com/USNWR2024
- Nemours Children’s Health — Nemours Children’s Health. 2024-06-01. https://www.nemours.org
- Nemours Children’s Health — Wikipedia (summary of organizational history, not used as a primary medical source). 2024-09-15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemours_Children%27s_Health
- IDEA Healthy Opportunities and Outcomes — Nemours Children’s Health. 2023-11-20. https://www.nemours.org/about/why/healthinclusion.html
- About Nemours KidsHealth — Nemours KidsHealth. 2023-04-05. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/about.html
