The new year is an opportunity to plan for the future and celebrate the accomplishments of the past. In 2022 Gillette Children’s celebrated 125 years of being one of the world’s most respected hospitals treating children with brain, bone, and movement conditions.

Gillette exists to help children write their own story. We’re excited continue researching and innovating the care for some of the most complex challenges in pediatric health care. As we begin 2023, we would like to share some favorite stories highlighting our celebrations from the past year.

We took time in our milestone year to recognize and honor our history and to share future plans to continue expanding our reach so we can serve more families.

We highlighted profiles of 125 people from Gillette’s past and present who have been part of making Gillette a place where every child is encouraged to live their dreams.

The 125 Humans of Gillette project began with our founder, Arthur Gillette, MD and included nurses, staff members, historical figures, and patient profiles. We ended the series with reflections and future plans from Gillette President and CEO, Barbara Joers.

“When I think of the thousands of individuals that have played an integral role in the growth and vitality of our mission that still resonates strongly today – I am in awe,” Joers said. You can read all 125 profiles in our series here. 

We also shared more about how Gillette innovates, advocates, and celebrates the children we are honored to have in our care in a 12-part series of articles in the Star Tribune newspaper. You can read the entire series here.

From a Walk and Roll event at Viking Lakes in Eagan, MN to creating a Winter Wonderland at our main campus in St. Paul, Gillette hosted many events to celebrate the children in our care. We’re pleased that, with precautions, we were able to safely gather in person once again.

Gillette teamed up with KS95 for Kids and M Health Fairview, Masonic Children’s Hospital Cancer Program to raise money to help children in our community get the effective treatments and life-changing surgeries they deserve in our 2022 Radiothon event at the Mall of America. We’re grateful to our sponsors and to everyone who donated or volunteered their time for this event.

In May Gillette Children’s launched a simplified name and refreshed brand that redefines our world-class capabilities in brain, bone and movement conditions that start in childhood.

Gillette Children’s president and CEO, Barbara Joers, says part of this branding focus was inspired by a Gillette parent who expressed appreciation for how our care touched her daughter’s and her family’s life.

“I’m grateful for her words and for many other perspectives which informed this work,” Joers says. “Our new vision, ‘A world in which every child is able to create their own story,’ was directly inspired by that parent.” You can read more about our refreshed brand here. 

In November we celebrated the completion of the Gateway Plaza. This project began with a vision to create a central space to welcome Gillette families, allow for a more convenient drop-off area for patients, and provide safe, accessible parking and spaces for Gillette employees. You can read more about the opening of Gateway Plaza here.

Gillette capped off its milestone year with a gathering at Saint Paul River Centre. The “Illuminate the Future” event was an opportunity to celebrate our 125th year and to raise money for the Gillette Children’s Cerebral Palsy institute.

We hope for more innovations, improvements in care, and celebrations in 2023.