Scottish Rite for Children

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (http://www.tsrhc.org) is a Dallas-based hospital that treats pediatric orthopedic conditions. TSRHC treats Texas children with orthopedic conditions, such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hand disorders, hip disorders and limb length differences, as well as certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Physicians from around the world travel to Dallas to train with their physicians in pediatric orthopedics, and research programs have resulted in major breakthroughs, including 20 patents.

The hospital was established in 1921 when a group of Texas Masons approached Dallas’ first orthopedic surgeon, Dr. W. B. Carrell, about caring for children with polio regardless of the family’s ability to pay. With the introduction of the Salk and Sabin vaccines in the mid-1950s, which virtually eradicated polio in the Western Hemisphere, TSRHC broadened its focus to other orthopedic conditions.

The hospital has treated almost 200,000 children since its inception, with more than 40,000 clinic visits each year. Thanks to community support, no patient family has ever been billed for services. An example of community support: A teenager who benefited from treatments at the hospital started an annual golf tournament [KidSwing] (http://www.kidswing.org) to raise money to give back. The tournament has raised about $800,000 for the hospital.

Admission to TSRHC is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. TSRHC, the only Scottish Rite hospital in the world, is not affiliated with the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Leadership

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has been caring for children and adolescents with scoliosis since its very early years. Due to its prestigious research efforts and innovative treatment methods, TSRHC has emerged as a leader in spine research. The hospital has treated tens of thousands of children with scoliosis and has significantly improved the care of young patients with spinal deformities throughout Texas, the United States and the world.

Center For Excellence in Spine Research

The hospital’s Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay/Martha and Pat Beard Center for Excellence in Spine Research was established to determine the cause of scoliosis, study curve progression and improve scoliosis surgical treatments. The center provides a forum for experts from diverse disciplines to collaborate on specific challenges to spinal deformities. Musculoskeletal research supports and encourages collaboration between researchers and physicians as they search for new ways to solve our patients' individual challenges. Medical breakthroughs and new technologies developed through TSRHC’s research efforts, such as the TSRH® SILO™ 5.5 Spinal System, True/Lok™ External Fixation System and the discovery of the first gene associated with idiopathic scoliosis, have dramatically impacted the lives of not only children treated at the hospital but also throughout the world. To date, 19 of our researchers’ discoveries have been patented.

Scoliosis Genetic Research

In April 2007, [Carol Wise, Ph.D.] (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-toy9_19edi.ART.State.Edition1.372c9f5.html)and her research team at TSRHC identified the first gene - CHD7 - associated with idiopathic scoliosis. The patented gene discovery will allow the medical community to form hypotheses to explain what causes the condition and provide tools for future research.

Dyslexia and Learning Disorders

Through the hospital’s Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders, specific learning disorders, such as dyslexia, are evaluated and treated. Through the hospital’s videotaped dyslexia and literacy training programs, thousands of Texas students have learned to read and write.

Board of Trustees

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is governed by a board of trustees who are members of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Texas. Scottish Rite Masons are affiliated with Freemasonry, a worldwide fraternal organization whose members share a common desire to better themselves as citizens and members of society. It was a group of Masons who helped establish the hospital in the early 1920s. Financial support from the Scottish Rite or broader Masonic groups is on an individual, voluntary basis.

Officers

Lyndon L. Olson, Jr. - Chairman of the Board

Jack Hightower - Chairman Emeritus

M. Douglas Adkins - Vice Chairman, Harold D. Carter - Vice Chairman, Lee Drain - Vice Chairman

During the 2009 fiscal year, the hospital had 40,118 outpatient clinic visits and performed 2,153 surgeries. Dedicated volunteers play an active role in the hospital’s day-to-day activities. More than 800 individuals assisted in patient care and administrative areas, donating more than 108,000 in 2009.

Key Facts

Charter Date: October 6, 1921

Founded By: Orthopedic surgeon Dr. W.B. Carrell and a group of local Masons

Conditions Treated: Orthopedic conditions including scoliosis, clubfoot, congenital dislocated hip, Legg-Perthes, limb length differences, limb deficiencies, spina bifida and learning disorders, such as dyslexia

Patients Treated:

 • More than 40,000 outpatient visits in fiscal 2008
 • 2,100 surgeries were performed in fiscal 2008
 • More than 190,000 patients treated since the hospital's inception  

Licensed Beds: 100 beds

Inpatient Stay: Average length of stay is less than four days

Admission Requirements:

 "Orthopedic"
 • Texas resident
 • Birth to 18 years of age
 • Referral by a physician for a condition that can be treated at the hospital

 "Dyslexia and Learning Disorders"
 • Texas resident
 • 5 through 14 years old
 • Referral by a physician for a suspected learning disorder

Hospital Staff:

 • 10 orthopedic surgeons
 • 23 total full-time staff physicians
 • More than 750 staff members 

Volunteers:

 • More than 750 volunteers between the ages of 14 and 94
 • More than 100,000 volunteer hours logged annually 

External links

• Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Pediatric Orthopedic Hospital