Rainbow babies and childrens hospital

[dauerbach]

The Cleveland Clinics children’s hospital is called Rainbow Babies and Children’s hospital. Having such a peculiar name, I figured it’s web site would explain how it came about, but it does not. Does anyone know the etymology of Rainbow Babies Hospital. Who came up with that name and why?

[Dorjan]

It’s a merger of two older hospitals joined as part of the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Some selected quotes from the online Encyclopedia of Cleveland History :

In 1887 9 young society women formed a national sisterhood whose mission was “a perfect determination to relieve suffering.” Calling themselves the Rainbow Circle of King’s Daughters, the young women raised money for Rainbow Cottage, where sick children could convalesce.

Babies and Childrens Hospital began when Dr. John Lowman, a Lakeside Hospital physician, the Milk Fund Assn., the Visiting Nurse Assn., Dr. Edward F. Cushing, Lakeside Hospital’s “physician to the children’s department,” and community leaders came together to establish the Infants’ Clinic (located at the Central Friendly Inn) in 1906. It was incorporated the following year as the Babies Dispensary and Hospital.

In 1971 a new children’s hospital was built at the UH campus to house both Babies and Childrens Hospital and Rainbow Hospital. The Board of Trustees of Rainbow Hospital assumed responsibility for both hospitals in 1974.

[samclem]

It was built in 1967(for $10 million!) combining Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland and the old(pre-1916) Rainbow hospital for crippled children in South Euclid.

This was by searching old newspapers. Can’t find anything yet on why the original name.

[samclem]

:;;preview is my friend, preview is my friend:::::

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Two of my three sons were born there!