What Gillette Children's does

Gillette Children's is a 501(c)(3) pediatric specialty hospital founded in 1897 and headquartered at 200 University Avenue East, St. Paul, Minnesota. The institution treats children and young adults with complex conditions affecting the brain, bones, and movement systems, including cerebral palsy, scoliosis, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, craniofacial conditions, and rare genetic diseases. It operates a main hospital campus in St. Paul plus a regional network of outpatient clinics in Phalen, Maple Grove, Burnsville, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Baxter, Duluth, and Willmar, and is described as one of the nation's largest and oldest providers of pediatric specialty care with one of the highest concentrations of pediatric orthopedic surgeons. Leadership includes President and CEO Barbara Joers, EVP/COO Kelly Morse Nowicki (joined October 2025 from Mayo Clinic), and Chief Medical Officer Micah Niermann, MD.

The clinical portfolio is organized into specialty institutes (Cerebral Palsy Institute, Spine Institute), accredited programs (Level 3 Epilepsy Center via NAEC, CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation, GLUT1 Deficiency Collaborative Care Center, Rett Syndrome Clinical Research Center of Excellence), and traditional service lines (Orthopedics, Pediatric Neurology, Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, Developmental Evaluation Clinic). The technology stack includes a comprehensive Gait Analysis Laboratory (established by Dr. Steven Koop), continuous video EEG in a dedicated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Virtual Rehabilitation Therapy delivered via smartphone/tablet/computer, Deep Brain Stimulation implants, the Talee cranial remolding orthosis, and the MyGillette patient portal (powered by IQHealth). The organization also runs the Lived Experience Partners program (42 paid patient/family consultants) and an annual Clinical Gait Analysis course co-hosted with Connecticut Children's and University Hospital Pellenberg.

Gillette's revenue model is a hybrid: fee-for-service clinical care billed through commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare, supplemented by research grants from federal agencies and foundations (including FDA early access program compensation) and philanthropic donations routed through the Gillette Children's Foundation. Go-to-market is a mixed motion combining a primary-care-and-specialist referral system, no-referral virtual consultations (Pediatric Expert Consult, available in MN/WI/IA/ND/SD/MI), community events (Camp Gillette, Firefighter Carnival, Together We Play), CME-credited clinical education, and earned media. The organization is independent of any parent company and has no venture capital or private equity ownership.

Name

Gillette Children's

Legal name

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare

Website

https://gillettechildrens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Gillette Children's is a 501(c)(3) pediatric specialty hospital, founded in 1897 in St. Paul, Minnesota, that diagnoses and treats children with complex brain, bone, and movement conditions across a regional network of clinics in Minnesota.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Specialty Hospital Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists (621112)

SIC

Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pediatric In-Home Rehabilitation Therapy (PT/OT/SLP) (HSABADAM)

Keywords

• Pediatric specialty hospital
• Pediatric rehabilitation services
• Cerebral palsy treatment
• Pediatric orthopedic care
• Complex pediatric neurology

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Healthcare Services Revenue: Fee-for-service healthcare delivery model providing specialized pediatric medical and surgical services, rehabilitation therapies, diagnostic imaging, and clinical consultations. Revenue generated through insurance reimbursements, Medicaid/Medicare, and patient payments.
2. Research Funding and Grants: Grant funding from federal agencies, foundations, and industry sponsors for clinical research and trials. Includes compensation for clinical trial participation and FDA early access programs.
3. Philanthropic Donations: Donations through Gillette Children's Foundation supporting hospital operations, research initiatives, and patient assistance programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Gillette Children's is a non-profit 501(c)(3) pediatric specialty hospital providing diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, and rehabilitation services for children and young adults with complex conditions affecting the brain, bones, and movement systems, including cerebral palsy, scoliosis, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, and craniofacial conditions. Operating from its St. Paul campus and multiple Minnesota clinics, it also offers virtual consultations, virtual rehabilitation therapy, and clinical research programs including FDA early-access trials.

Product overview

Gillette Children's is a pediatric specialty hospital offering a comprehensive portfolio of clinical services, research programs, and community initiatives focused on children with brain, bone, and movement conditions. The core clinical services include specialized institutes for Cerebral Palsy and Spine, Orthopedics, Pediatric Neurology, Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, and Inpatient Rehabilitation. The hospital operates the MyGillette Patient Portal for digital access, the Pediatric Expert Consult virtual consultation service, and Virtual Rehabilitation Therapy for remote care. Research programs include Family Engagement in Research with compensated patient advisors, Clinical Gait Analysis, and participation in clinical trials. Community programs include the Together We Play inclusive play initiative and Camp Gillette family events. The Level 3 Epilepsy Center holds NAEC accreditation with dedicated video EEG monitoring. Together, these services provide integrated, multidisciplinary care from infancy through adulthood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Together We Play: An initiative dedicated to promoting inclusive play for children and families of all abilities, covering adaptive sports, arts and crafts, and advocating for inclusive playgrounds.
• Gillette Children's Cerebral Palsy Institute
• Gillette Children's Spine Institute
• Pediatric Expert Consult
• MyGillette Patient Portal

Products and services

• MyGillette Patient Portal Secure online patient portal enabling existing patients to schedule and cancel appointments, pay bills, ask questions, and access medical records.
• Pediatric Expert Consult Virtual consultation service connecting families with pediatric specialists for second opinions or answers to pressing questions about complex conditions. No referral is necessary; 30-minute consultations available within 2-5 business days for patients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan.
• Virtual Rehabilitation Therapy Virtual delivery of physical, occupational, and speech/language therapy services via smartphone, tablet, or computer. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain patient care continuity and expanded to improve access for rural and distant patients.
• Gillette Children's Cerebral Palsy Institute Specialty institute that positions itself as the world's foremost innovator in clinical care, forward-thinking research, and patient advocacy for cerebral palsy.
• Gillette Children's Spine Institute Specialty institute that is one of the nation's largest and oldest providers of care for routine and rare pediatric spine injuries and conditions.
• Together We Play Community initiative dedicated to promoting inclusive play for children and families of all abilities, encompassing adaptive sports, arts and crafts, advocacy for inclusive playgrounds, and adaptive play gear development.
• Clinical Gait Analysis Specialized movement analysis conducted in the Gait Lab to evaluate and plan treatments for patients with gait disorders.
• Family Engagement in Research Program enabling patients and families to participate as advisors in research priority-setting and clinical trial design, with compensation for their input.
• Developmental Evaluation Clinic Clinic providing comprehensive developmental assessments by teams including pediatric neurologists, physiatrists, and physical or occupational therapists working together to evaluate children ages 0 to 17.
• Level 3 Epilepsy Center NAEC-accredited Level 3 epilepsy center offering advanced medical evaluation, treatment, and monitoring for children with complex epilepsy, including a dedicated epilepsy monitoring unit with continuous video EEG.
• Orthopedics Pediatric orthopedic program providing specialized care for bone and joint conditions, anchored by one of the nation's highest concentrations of pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
• Pediatric Neurology Branch of medicine studying and treating the nervous system — including brain, spinal cord, and nerves — in children with complex neurological conditions.
• Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery Clinical service led by leading craniofacial surgeons and neurosurgeons specializing in care for children with complex craniofacial conditions.
• Inpatient Rehabilitation CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit for children requiring intensive rehabilitation following complex surgeries or injuries; one of less than 10 U.S. pediatric inpatient rehabilitation facilities with CARF accreditation for both pediatric specialty and pediatric brain injury programs.
• Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Dedicated unit with continuous video EEG capabilities for comprehensive seizure monitoring and epilepsy evaluation.
• Camp Gillette Free four-day summer camp program for patients and families at the St. Paul Campus featuring activities, entertainment, and educational programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42 patients/relatives enrolled as consultants improving study design and patient outcomes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Connecticut Children's Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Collaboration on 2026 Clinical Gait Analysis course (June 1-3, 2026 in Minneapolis), offering Level 1 and Level 2 tracks for clinicians analyzing gait in children with disabilities.
• University Hospital PellenbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Collaboration on 2026 Clinical Gait Analysis course alongside Connecticut Children's Medical Center, advancing knowledge exchange in pediatric gait analysis.
• Avidity BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026Avidity Biosciences developed del-zota, an experimental gene-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Gillette served as the first site to administer the therapy under FDA early access program. Novartis acquired Avidity to further develop the therapy.
• GLUT1 Deficiency FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Gillette designated as Collaborative Care Center, joining network dedicated to improving care for individuals with GLUT1 Deficiency. Participation includes clinical work groups on disease severity scale, core outcome sets for clinical trials, and natural history research.
• Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota (DSAMn)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Partnership with DSAMn strengthens the Gillette Down Syndrome Clinic through strong collaboration and resource sharing, making the clinic stand out for families.
• Teleton, ChileflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership spanning nearly 20 years, renewed in 2025 with memorandum of understanding to expand collaboration in research, education, clinical care, and care management. Teleton sends clinicians to Gillette Gait Course and Gillette supports Teleton in planning a multidisciplinary course in Santiago on cerebral palsy care management.
• International Rett Syndrome FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of only 18 U.S. hospitals designated a Clinical Research Center of Excellence. Specialists work closely with the foundation to ensure patients receive the best treatment course.
• Amputee CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric partnership with Amputee Coalition supporting children with limb differences and their families.
• Pediatrics JournalminorOthersGillette's pioneering practice of paying patients as 'lived experience' partners featured in the journal Pediatrics as a model for other institutions to follow.
• Regions Hospital Emergency DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData sharing partnership for e-bike and e-scooter injury statistics. Regions Hospital provides emergency department data showing pediatric injury trends, with many severe cases transferred to Gillette.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shriners Children's: Shriners Children's is a non-profit pediatric specialty hospital system focused on orthopedic, spinal cord injury, burn, and cleft care. It is the closest direct peer to Gillette, sharing non-profit structure, pediatric orthopedic specialization, and a multi-site U.S. footprint serving rare/complex conditions.
• Connecticut Children's Medical Center: Connecticut Children's is a regional pediatric specialty hospital with programs in orthopedics, neurology, and rehabilitation. Gillette already co-runs its Clinical Gait Analysis course with Connecticut Children's, making it a directly comparable peer and active collaboration partner.
• Nemours Children's Health: Nemours is a multi-state pediatric specialty health system with nationally ranked orthopedic and rehabilitation programs. It is a direct peer in operating model and clinical scope (complex pediatric orthopedics, gait/motion analysis, inpatient rehab) and competes in adjacent geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Children's Hospital: Boston Children's is one of the largest U.S. pediatric academic medical centers, providing full-spectrum specialty care, research, and education. It competes with Gillette for complex pediatric referrals (especially neurology, orthopedics, and rare diseases) but on a national scale with broader service breadth.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): CHOP is a leading pediatric hospital and research institution with deep orthopedic, neurologic, and rare-disease programs. Comparable to Gillette as a destination specialty center for cerebral palsy, Rett syndrome, and complex spine cases, though it operates at much greater scale.
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Cincinnati Children's is a top-ranked pediatric academic medical center with nationally recognized neurology, cerebral palsy, and rehabilitation medicine programs. It overlaps directly with Gillette's pediatric specialty and research footprint and is a competing destination for complex referrals.
• Texas Children's Hospital: Texas Children's is one of the largest U.S. pediatric hospitals, with broad specialty programs including neurology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. It serves a comparable complex-care pediatric population but at significantly larger scale and different geography.
• Seattle Children's Hospital: Seattle Children's is a major pediatric academic medical center offering orthopedic surgery, neurology, rehabilitation, and rare-disease programs. It competes with Gillette for complex referrals from a regional base and operates research and clinical-trial infrastructure of similar character.
• Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford: Lucile Packard is the pediatric academic medical center for Stanford, offering advanced orthopedic, neurologic, and rehabilitation services. It is comparable to Gillette in complex pediatric specialty and research depth, anchored in the Bay Area rather than the Midwest.

Regional players

• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is a large pediatric health system in the Southeast with strong orthopedic, neurology, and rehabilitation programs. It is comparable in service mix but serves a different geographic catchment than Gillette's Upper Midwest base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/gillettechildrens
• Facebookfacebook.com/GilletteChildrensSpecialtyHealthcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gillette-children's-specialty-healthcare
• Instagraminstagram.com/gillettechildrens
• Xx.com/gillettechildrn

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gillette Children's