Celebrate With Us
Tune in at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11 to celebrate Primary Children's historic past, present, and future and renew our promise to keep The Child First and Always.
Celebración del 100° Aniversario de Primary Children's
Sintonice a las 10:00 a.m. el miércoles 11 de mayo para celebrar el pasado, presente y futuro históricos de Primary Children's y renovar nuestra promesa de mantener al Niño Primero y Siempre
What Sets Us Apart
Ranked among the Best Children's Hospitals in the Nation
Primary Children's is ranked as one of the nation's best children's hospitals in 8 out of 10 pediatric specialties in the 2019 - 20 Best Children's Hospital survey by U.S. News & World Report.
Comprehensive Specialty Pediatric Care
As a free-standing children's hospital, we provide more than 60 medical and surgical pediatric specialties. We have more than 800 pediatric providers, supported by a staff of more than 3,000 - all specializing in pediatrics. We also provide outpatient care at clinics in four states.
Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
Our hospital is the only Level I Pediatric Trauma center serving a five-state region. Originally certified in 2002, we have been a pediatric trauma center for 15 consecutive years. We have one of the busiest trauma programs in the country. Our hospital has a 32-bed PICU, 16-bed CICU, 28-bed Neuro Trauma Unit, and 50-bed Level IV NICU. We have a dedicated pediatric and neonatal team that transports more than 1,500 patients each year.
Research and Evidence-Based Care
Research plays a vital role in offering innovative and cutting-edge care. As the pediatric teaching hospital for the University of Utah School of Medicine, we help train 80 residents and 45 fellows. Additionally, clinicians published more than 50 research papers and participate in basic science, translational and clinical research.
Building a Network to Keep Kids Close to Home
Our philosophy is to provide safe, high-quality care as close to home as possible. We provide multiple clinic locations for specialty pediatric care across the west. We also partner with community hospitals to improve pediatric care. Our partnerships include:
- Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska
- St. Vincent Healthcare, Montana
- Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, Nevada
- Layton Hospital, Utah
- Riverton Hospital, Utah
- Utah Valley Hospital, Utah
Central Location in the Western United States
Our hospital is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and serves one of the largest geographic areas of any children's hospital, including Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Alaska. Short direct flights, with easy access from airport to hospital, bring patients from across the United States. Robust family support services have been designed especially for out-of-area patients.
Family-Centered Care
Our hospital has robust family support services staffed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, therapists, specialists and volunteers. They work as a team to engage patients and families with therapeutic activities, positive distractions, and social support. Our hospital also partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities. Our hospital has the largest Ronald McDonald Family Room in the world, along with a newly opened second room, specifically for critical care services.
Serving our Patients and Families
Specialty Pediatric Care
Primary Children’s provides care in more than 60 medical and surgical pediatric specialties.
Wellness & Prevention
We are committed to keeping our community informed, safe, and out of the hospital.
Patient & Family Support
We offer a variety of programs, resources, and services we provide to support our patients and their families.
Your Visit
Everything you need at the hospital, such as places to eat and other amenities.
Our History
Vision fulfilled
On May 11, 1922, the Primary Association opened its own 35-bed facility in a large old home on North Temple, across from Salt Lake City's Temple Square. Surgeries were performed at LDS Hospital, and then children convalesced in the Primary facility. The hospital was supported by donations of birthday pennies by LDS Primary children, and by an annual Penny Parade held in hundreds of Intermountain area towns and farming districts.
A hospital just for children
On February 12, 1952, Primary Children’s moved to a new 70-bed building at 320 Twelfth Avenue. Following the end of World War II, the Primary Association began a fundraising drive to raise money for the new facility. One of the initiatives was a "Dimes for Bricks" drive, in which donors contributing ten cents had the satisfaction of knowing they had purchased one red brick for the new hospital. Over time, this hospital eventually grew to 170 beds.
A teaching hospital
In 1977, an affiliation agreement for educational purposes between Primary Children's and the University of Utah School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics was signed. The agreement formalized an arrangement that began in 1962, when pediatric resident rotations were established at the hospital. Primary Children's became an official teaching hospital, and the formal agreement opened the way for many additional medical specialties to be offered.
Move to University of Utah campus
On April 23, 1990, a fleet of ambulances moved 114 patients to the University of Utah campus. The hospital opened in a beautiful new building with 186 beds.
Bringing care close to home
Our philosophy is to provide safe, high-quality care as close to home as possible. We provide multiple clinic locations for specialty pediatric care across the West. We also partner with community hospitals in Utah, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, and Montana to improve pediatric care.
Growth and expansion
In 2014, the Eccles Outpatient Services Building opened its doors. Today, Primary Children’s provides more than 60 medical and surgical pediatric specialties. The staff has more than 800 pediatric providers, supported by a staff of more than 3,000—all specializing in pediatrics.
Extending our expertise
In early 2020, Intermountain Healthcare announced it is building a second Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah on the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Campus. The hospital will feature five floors, 66 beds, and a three-story medical office building, with a combined 486,000 square feet. It is anticipated the hospital will be complete in early 2024.
The vision of our founders
After being touched by the sight of a child on crutches struggling along a city street, Louie B. Felt and May Anderson realized the need for special medical help for children. They were leaders of The Primary Association (the children's program) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.