Dayton Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

Dayton, Ohio pediatric hospital guide · Verified August 20, 2026

Dayton Children’s Hospital: pediatric ER, doctors, appointments, parking, costs and family information

Dayton Children’s Hospital is a pediatric hospital at 1 Children’s Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404. The main campus operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides inpatient care, pediatric surgery, emergency medicine, trauma care, mental-health services, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, pharmacy services and more than 50 pediatric specialties.

The main-campus Emergency Department is also the region’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, the highest trauma designation, with pediatric surgeons, emergency physicians, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists and other specialists available for severely injured children.

This guide brings the information families normally have to search across separate hospital pages into one place: phone numbers, appointment steps, specialist names, current clinic hours, emergency access, parking, visitor rules, insurance and billing, financial assistance, pharmacy, laboratory testing, imaging, medical records, MyChart, mental-health crisis care, dining and overnight family accommodation.

Main campus open 24/7 Level I Pediatric Trauma Center 50+ pediatric specialties 24/7 main-campus pharmacy Free visitor parking MyChart patient portal
Life-threatening emergency? Call 911. Dayton Children’s main-campus Emergency Department at 1 Children’s Plaza is open 24/7. The direct Emergency Department number is 937-641-3600.
Main campus 1 Children’s Plaza

Dayton, OH 45404

Main hospital phone 937-641-3000

General information and hospital routing.

Central scheduling 937-641-4000

Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Emergency Department 937-641-3600

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Start here: what do you need at Dayton Children’s?

The main hospital, Specialty Care Center, mental-health center and primary-care pavilion are separate buildings on or near the Valley Street campus.

Medical emergency
Go to the main-campus Emergency Department at 1 Children’s Plaza. Open 24/7. Direct phone: 937-641-3600.
Mental-health crisis
Price Family Mental Health Crisis Center, 860 Valley Street, is open daily 8 a.m.–1 a.m.. After 1 a.m., crisis patients are supported through the main-campus Emergency Department.
Specialist appointment
Central Scheduling: 937-641-4000, Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m..
Imaging
A physician referral/order is required. X-rays can generally be performed as walk-ins; other imaging requires an appointment. Call Central Scheduling and select the medical-imaging option.
Medical records
Health Information Management: 937-641-3395; email medrecrequest@childrensdayton.org.
Billing
Patient Accounts: 937-641-3555, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m..
Financial assistance
Financial Advocates: 937-641-5727, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m..
Parking
Parking is free for patient families and visitors. Main-hospital families should use the free visitor garage or designated Emergency Department surface parking.

Dayton Children’s Emergency Department and Level I pediatric trauma care

The main-campus pediatric Emergency Department is open every day, at all hours, for serious illness and injury.

ER address 1 Children’s Plaza

Dayton, Ohio 45404

ER phone 937-641-3600

Main hospital: 937-641-3000.

ER hours 24/7

Monday through Sunday, including overnight care.

Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

Dayton Children’s describes its main hospital as the region’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The Level I designation means the hospital maintains extensive resources for critically injured children, including rapid access to pediatric emergency medicine, surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery and anesthesiology.

Conditions commonly treated in the Emergency Department

  • Difficulty breathing and severe asthma symptoms.
  • Serious allergic reactions.
  • Head injuries and concussions.
  • Fractures and significant orthopedic injuries.
  • Swallowed objects.
  • Poisonings.
  • Severe infection or illness.
  • Significant burns.
  • Sexual assault.
  • Traumatic injuries requiring specialist evaluation.

Emergency Department parking

Parking is free. Families can use the parking garage to the left of the Emergency Department or the surface parking lot to the right.

After an ER visit

If your child was seen in a Dayton Children’s Emergency Department or urgent-care center within the previous 72 hours and you have questions about the visit, Dayton Children’s lists 937-641-3893 for follow-up questions.

An outreach nurse may also contact the family to check the child’s progress, communicate delayed laboratory or X-ray results, confirm access to prescribed medication and answer questions about discharge instructions.

Live ER wait times change continuously. Children with the most serious conditions are treated first, so a displayed waiting time is an estimate rather than an appointment time.

Price Family Mental Health Crisis Center

Dayton Children’s has a dedicated pediatric mental-health crisis setting separate from the main medical Emergency Department for children who do not have a physical injury.

Location 860 Valley Street

Dayton, OH 45404
Inside the Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness.

Crisis Center hours 8 a.m.–1 a.m. daily

Patients arriving after 1 a.m. are supported through the main-campus Emergency Department.

Trained behavioral-health clinicians assess children in crisis and connect them with the appropriate level of care, which can include inpatient psychiatric treatment, day treatment, bridge-clinic care or outpatient services.

Immediate danger: if a child is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

How to make an appointment at Dayton Children’s

Most pediatric specialty appointments can be scheduled through Central Scheduling, while some departments have additional referral requirements.

Central Scheduling 937-641-4000

Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Referral fax: 937-641-4500
Toll-free fax: 866-891-6941

Central Scheduling phone options

Option Use it for
1Pre-registration.
2Medical and surgical specialty clinics.
3Medical imaging.
4Physical, occupational and speech therapy.

New specialty appointment

Confirm whether a physician referral is needed. Neurology and many other specialty services require a referral before the first visit.
Send outside records before the visit. The specialty may need laboratory results, imaging, operative notes or previous specialist records before scheduling or before the first consultation.
Call 937-641-4000. The scheduler will determine the appropriate provider, location and appointment.
Confirm insurance authorization. Ask your insurance company whether a referral or prior authorization is required.
Confirm the actual building. Many outpatient specialists practice at the Specialty Care Center rather than inside the inpatient tower.
Use MyChart afterward. Eligible follow-up visits can be requested or managed online, along with results and secure messages.

Dayton Children’s doctors and pediatric specialists

Dayton Children’s has hundreds of clinicians across its hospital, Specialty Care Center and regional locations. The doctors below are current officially published members of several highly searched pediatric specialties.

Doctor-day schedules change. Dayton Children’s does not publish a dependable hospital-wide Monday-to-Sunday rota for every specialist. A physician may be in clinic one day, operating another day, seeing patients at south campus or another regional office, or covering the inpatient service. The correct current availability is shown by online scheduling or obtained by calling 937-641-4000.

Pediatric cardiology doctors

Doctor Current published role / focus Appointment route
Lubabatu Abdurrahman, MD Division Chief of Cardiology; fetal cardiology and complex congenital heart disease. 937-641-4000 / online scheduling
Christopher J. Bugnitz, MD Pediatric cardiology; also serves in medical faculty leadership. 937-641-4000 / online scheduling
Elizabeth Anne Mitchell, MD Pediatric cardiology with advanced training in fetal cardiology. 937-641-4000 / online scheduling
Jill Narron, MD Pediatric cardiologist and clinical faculty member at Wright State University. 937-641-4000 / online scheduling
Smita Mehta, MD Pediatric cardiology and preventive cardiology. 937-641-4000

Pediatric neurology doctors

A physician referral is required for new neurology patients. Central scheduling: 937-641-4000.

Doctor Current published role / expertise
Gogi Kumar, MDDivision Chief of Neurology; board-certified pediatric neurologist.
Mahesh Chikkannaiah, MDAssociate Chief of Neurology.
Khaled Al-Robaidi, MDPediatric neurology.
Irma Liezl Reyes, DOPediatric neurologist.
Grant J. Turek, MDPediatric neurology.
Kallol Kumar Set, MDPediatric neurology, EEG/neurophysiology and epilepsy training.
Rajkumar L. Agarwal, MDPediatric neurology.
Debra Maureen O’Donnell, MDChild neurology; special interest in epilepsy/seizures and chronic headaches.
Samuel Dzodzomenyo, MDNeurology and sleep medicine.

Pediatric orthopedics and spine specialists

Doctor Current specialty
Michael C. Albert, MDOrthopedic surgery and pediatric spine surgery.
Nicholas Daniel Gajewski, MDOrthopedic and spine surgery.
Craig Francis Shank, MDOrthopedic and spine surgery.
Claire Beimesch, MDPediatric orthopedic surgery.
Carla M. Bridges, MDPediatric orthopedic sports medicine.
Melissa A. Martinek, DOOrthopedic sports medicine.

Orthopedics offers online appointment scheduling for new patients, including many children initially treated in primary care, urgent care or the Emergency Department. Prescription/refill questions can be directed to 937-641-3010 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Endocrinology and diabetes doctors

Doctor Current role / focus
Paul Breyer, MDChief, Division of Endocrinology.
Dania M. Al-Hamad, MDGrowth, thyroid, puberty, adrenal, pituitary, diabetes and metabolic bone disorders.
Krishnamallika Mutyala, MDEndocrinology/diabetes; interest in endocrine effects in cancer survivors.
Moira Curley Pfeifer, MDPediatric endocrinology.
Stacy Meyer, MDGrowth, puberty, thyroid disease, diabetes and genetic-related endocrine conditions.
Susan Pena-Almazan, MDDiabetes and endocrinology.
Endocrinology contact: 937-641-3487, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.. After hours, call 937-641-3000 and ask for the endocrinologist on call. New endocrinology patients should call 937-641-4000 rather than attempting online scheduling.

Hematology and oncology doctors

Doctor Current role
Jordan M. Wright, MDDivision Chief, Hematology/Oncology.
Caitlyn McComb, MDPediatric hematology/oncology.
Lionel Chow, MD, PhDHematology/oncology and neuro-oncology.
Mukund Dole, MDPediatric hematology/oncology.
Rachael Courtney, DOPediatric hematology/oncology.

Dayton Children’s states that a new hematology/oncology consultation typically lasts about one hour so the provider can review the history, discuss the condition and create a treatment plan.

Pediatric surgeons

Doctor Current published role / expertise
Arturo Aranda, MD Surgeon-in-Chief and Associate Chief Medical Officer; neonatal, minimally invasive and cancer surgery.
John Paul Crow, MD Division Chief of Pediatric Surgery; Trauma Medical Director and PICU Surgical Director.
Anne Kim Mackow, MD Pediatric surgeon; Director of the Chest Wall Malformation Center.
Oliver Stephen Soldes, MD Minimally invasive and complex gastrointestinal surgery; Chief Surgical Quality and Outcomes Officer.
Elisabeth Kristine Wynne, MD Minimally invasive and thoracic pediatric surgery; NICU surgical leadership.

Dayton Children’s pediatric surgeons are available on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for children who need urgent surgical care. Routine consultations are scheduled through the outpatient system.

Dayton Children’s hospital and outpatient clinic hours

The hospital being open 24/7 does not mean every specialty clinic, laboratory desk or outpatient service operates all night.

Location / service Address Current published hours
Main hospital 1 Children’s Plaza 24/7
Main-campus Emergency Department 1 Children’s Plaza 24/7
Specialty Care Center — main campus 730 Valley Street Monday 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Closed Saturday–Sunday
Central Scheduling Phone service Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Endocrinology phone service Specialty clinic Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Price Family Mental Health Crisis Center 860 Valley Street Daily 8 a.m.–1 a.m.
Main-campus outpatient pharmacy 1st floor near gift shop 24/7
Financial Advocates 1 Children’s Plaza Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Patient Relations Main hospital Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Major pediatric departments and services

Dayton Children’s main campus and adjacent Specialty Care Center provide more than 50 pediatric medical, surgical and diagnostic specialties.

Emergency & trauma

24/7 pediatric emergency medicine and Level I pediatric trauma care.

Cardiology

Congenital heart disease, fetal cardiology, preventive cardiology and advanced cardiac testing.

Neurology

Seizures, epilepsy, headaches, movement disorders, neuromuscular and other nervous-system conditions.

Neurosurgery

Surgical treatment of pediatric brain, spine and neurologic conditions.

Orthopedics

Fractures, scoliosis, spine disorders, sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.

Cancer & blood disorders

Leukemia, tumors, sickle cell disease, clotting disorders and other hematologic conditions.

Endocrinology

Diabetes, growth disorders, thyroid, puberty, adrenal and pituitary disorders.

Pediatric surgery

General, neonatal, thoracic, gastrointestinal, cancer and minimally invasive pediatric surgery.

Pulmonology

Asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung disease, airway disorders and respiratory conditions.

Gastroenterology

Digestive, liver and nutritional conditions in infants, children and teens.

Urology

Pediatric urinary, kidney, bladder and genital conditions.

ENT

Ear, nose, throat, airway, hearing and related pediatric surgical care.

NICU

Newborn intensive care with 24-hour parent access subject to NICU safety rules.

PICU

Pediatric intensive-care services for critically ill or injured children.

Mental health

Crisis assessment, inpatient care, day treatment and outpatient behavioral health.

Dayton Children’s doctor fees, emergency fees and hospital costs

Dayton Children’s does not publish one flat consultation fee or one flat Emergency Department fee that accurately represents every child’s visit.

Do not use a generic online “Dayton Children’s ER costs $___” figure. The amount can change substantially based on the severity of the condition, diagnostic testing, imaging, medication, procedures, trauma services and whether admission is required.

Why one visit can produce several bills

Dayton Children’s specifically warns families that an Emergency Department visit can generate multiple bills depending on the services used. These can include the hospital facility bill plus separate charges from the attending physician, radiology providers, ambulance service or other independent professionals.

Hospital/facility Dayton Children’s bill

Can include rooms, nursing, supplies, testing, medications and procedures.

Professional Doctor/provider bill

Some physicians and affiliated clinicians bill separately.

Patient responsibility Varies by plan

Deductible, copay, coinsurance and network rules affect what the family owes.

TEAMHealth ER physician bills

Dayton Children’s currently states that families with a separate TEAMHealth provider-services bill from an Emergency Department visit should contact TEAMHealth at 888-952-6772.

How to estimate planned care

Identify the specific service. An MRI, surgery or clinic consultation can have multiple versions and billing codes.
Use Dayton Children’s price-transparency resources. Review hospital charges and available cost-estimation tools before scheduled care.
Call your insurer. Confirm the hospital, physician and service are in-network.
Ask whether professional fees are separate. Radiology interpretation, anesthesiology and independent physician fees may not be represented by one hospital estimate.
Ask for financial help early if needed. Financial-assistance applications can be started before, during or after care.

Insurance, copays, billing and payment options

Dayton Children’s participates with many health plans, but a physician may not participate with exactly the same plans as the hospital.

Always verify both the hospital and the doctor. Dayton Children’s warns that not every physician providing care at its facilities participates in the same insurance plans as the hospital.

Current Dayton Children’s provider profiles commonly display plans such as Aetna, Anthem, CareSource, Cigna, Humana, Ohio Medicaid, Medical Mutual of Ohio, Molina Healthcare, TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare, among others. The exact plan product and provider should still be verified before care.

Copays

Dayton Children’s collects applicable copays at the time of service. Families should bring the current insurance card and a payment method to scheduled visits.

Billing Customer Service

Patient Accounts 937-641-3555

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Ways to pay

  • Pay through MyChart.
  • Use the guest-payment portal if you do not have MyChart.
  • Pay by phone through Patient Accounts.
  • Pay by mail using the payment form on the statement.

Current mailed payments go to:

Dayton Children’s Hospital
PO Box 933410
Cleveland, OH 44193-0039

Payment plans

Families unable to pay an eligible balance in full should contact Patient Accounts rather than ignore the bill. Dayton Children’s offers payment-plan options and can evaluate whether the family qualifies for financial assistance.

Financial assistance, charity care and self-pay help

Dayton Children’s is a nonprofit hospital and states that it cares for children regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.

Financial Advocates 937-641-5727

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Email: FinancialAdvocates@childrensdayton.org

Patient Accounts 937-641-3555

Use for bills already received and payment arrangements.

Who may qualify?

Dayton Children’s currently states that financial assistance is available to qualifying families with income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Families above that level may still be considered for hardship assistance on an individual basis when large medical expenses or other financial circumstances make payment difficult.

What assistance can include

  • Financial aid for eligible Dayton Children’s healthcare bills.
  • 100% financial aid / charity care for qualifying families.
  • Help applying for Medicaid.
  • Help with Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program eligibility.
  • Assistance identifying state child-health programs.
  • Self-pay discounts when financial-assistance criteria are not met.
  • Payment-plan arrangements for remaining balances.

Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program

Ohio residents with income below the applicable poverty threshold who are not eligible for Medicaid may qualify for HCAP assistance with eligible hospital bills.

How to apply

Obtain the application. Call 937-641-5727 or download the current application.
Provide household and income information. Supporting documents may include employment income, self-employment tax records, Social Security, unemployment, disability, pension or other income verification.
Submit the application. It can be returned by mail, fax or email.
Allow time for review. Dayton Children’s asks families to allow up to approximately 30 days for the completed application to be evaluated.

Where to send the application

Mail:
Dayton Children’s Hospital
Patient Family Financial Advocate, Department 1A
One Children’s Plaza
Dayton, OH 45404-1815

Fax: 937-641-6101
Email: FinancialAdvocates@childrensdayton.org

Dayton Children’s parking: where to park and what it costs

Regular parking for Dayton Children’s patients, families and visitors is free.

Main hospital Free visitor garage

The garage entrance is to the left of the hospital’s main and Emergency Department entrances at 1 Children’s Plaza.

Emergency Department Free garage or surface lot

Garage is to the left of the ED; free emergency surface parking is to the right.

Specialty Care Center Free surface lot

730 Valley Street. Turn right into the lot after entering at the traffic light.

Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness

The mental-health center at 860 Valley Street has a free surface parking lot directly in front of the building. After turning at the traffic light, follow signs toward the mental-health center.

Accessible parking

Accessible spaces are available in the visitor garage and designated campus areas. Wheelchairs, wagons and carts are available for loan at main entrances and the Welcome Center.

Parking cost: $0. Dayton Children’s currently provides free parking for patient families and guests at its hospital and outpatient locations.

Dayton Children’s visiting hours and visitor rules

Parents/legal guardians have broader access than ordinary family and friend visitors.

Family & friends 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

General visiting hours for people other than parents and grandparents.

Parents / guardians Encouraged to stay

Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to remain with hospitalized children.

Main entrance Locked 8 p.m.–5 a.m.

After hours, parents/grandparents enter through the Emergency Department.

Visitor badge

Everyone visiting an inpatient unit—including parents, guardians and siblings—must wear a visitor ID badge. Visitors should report to the Welcome Center at the main entrance. A driver’s license is required to receive the visitor badge.

NICU visitor rules

  • Parents can visit their baby at any time.
  • No more than four parents, grandparents or visitors may be in the room at one time.
  • Visitors must be free of signs of illness.
  • Visitors should be current on relevant vaccines/immunizations.
  • Hand hygiene is required before entering NICU rooms.
  • Visitors generally must be age 14 or older unless they are a sibling of the patient.
Visitor policies can temporarily tighten during respiratory-virus season or for specific units. Check the current hospital notice before bringing siblings or a larger group.

Pediatric surgery and procedure planning

Dayton Children’s provides planned and emergency surgical services, including pediatric surgeons who are on call around the clock.

Scheduling

Call 937-641-4000 and select the medical/surgical clinic option when instructed. Many pediatric-surgery consultations can also be performed by video visit when appropriate.

Before surgery

  • Follow the exact fasting instructions supplied by the surgical team.
  • Confirm which medications should or should not be taken.
  • Confirm the arrival time, not only the procedure time.
  • Bring identification and insurance information.
  • Bring requested imaging or outside medical records.
  • Tell the team about a new fever, respiratory illness or rash before arrival.
  • Ask whether a Child Life specialist can help if your child has significant procedural anxiety.

Sensory-friendly surgery

Dayton Children’s offers sensory-friendly support for children with autism or sensory needs. Families should tell the clinic or surgical team before the procedure so the staff can plan accommodations.

Laboratory testing and pediatric imaging

Dayton Children’s provides pediatric-focused laboratory and imaging services at the main campus and several outpatient sites.

Laboratory

Dayton Children’s laboratory provides 24/7 support for inpatient and outpatient needs. A provider order is required, but most routine collections do not require a separate appointment.

Tests include:

  • Chemistry.
  • Hematology and coagulation.
  • Urinalysis.
  • Microbiology.
  • Virology and serology.
  • Genetic and molecular testing.
  • Transfusion services.
  • Pediatric pathology.

Most blood collections themselves take approximately 15 minutes, although registration and waiting vary by time and location.

Fasting laboratory tests

If the physician orders a fasting test, Dayton Children’s generally instructs families that the child should have no food or drink for 8 hours beforehand. If the order is unclear, call 937-641-3358.

Sensory-friendly lab draws

Families who need additional autism/sensory support can request a sensory-friendly main-campus laboratory appointment through Child Life at 937-641-3303, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m..

Radiology / medical imaging

A physician referral is required for all Dayton Children’s imaging. X-rays can generally be performed as walk-ins when the family has a valid order. MRI, CT, ultrasound and other scheduled imaging require an appointment.

Call Central Scheduling at 937-641-4000 and select the medical-imaging option.

Dayton Children’s pharmacy: location, hours and phone

The main-campus outpatient pharmacy is especially useful after an ER visit, hospital discharge or specialty appointment because it is open around the clock.

Main-campus pharmacy 937-641-5500

First floor near the gift shop/yellow elevators.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Specialty pharmacy 937-641-3463

Email: specialtypharmacy@childrensdayton.org
24/7 clinical support is available by phone.

What the pharmacy can provide

  • Discharge prescriptions.
  • Emergency Department prescriptions.
  • Clinic prescriptions.
  • Pediatric medication counseling.
  • Specialty medications for complex/chronic conditions.
  • Home-infusion support.
  • Medication insurance coordination.
  • Specialty-medication refill reminders.
  • Eligible home delivery.

Families filling prescriptions should bring the child’s insurance card. If the prescription cannot be billed to insurance, payment is required at the time of service. The pharmacy accepts cash, check, Visa and Mastercard.

How to get medical records from Dayton Children’s

Families can view selected records directly in MyChart or request a formal copy through Health Information Management.

Health Information Management 937-641-3395

Email: medrecrequest@childrensdayton.org

Records commonly requested for continued care

  • Discharge summary.
  • History and physical.
  • Consultation reports.
  • Operative reports.
  • Diagnostic test results.
  • Imaging reports.
  • Relevant laboratory data.

When another physician needs information for continuing treatment, request only the records needed for that care whenever possible. This can make the request easier to process and avoids sending unnecessary parts of the chart.

MyChart vs formal records request

MyChart is useful for information already released electronically, including many test results, visit summaries and health information. Use the Health Information Management request process when a complete legal medical-record copy, outside transfer or records not visible in MyChart are needed.

Dayton Children’s MyChart

Dayton Children’s has moved its patient portal into Epic MyChart. The service is free to patients and parents with authorized access.

Appointments

Schedule or request eligible appointments.

Results

View eligible laboratory and test results.

Health summary

Review portions of the electronic health record.

Messages

Securely communicate with participating care teams for non-urgent questions.

Prescription renewals

Request eligible medication renewals.

Billing

Eligible guarantors can view billing information and make payments.

MyChart technical support 877-355-3155

Use this number for login, username, password, access-link and technical issues.

MyChart is not for emergencies. For urgent or life-threatening concerns, contact the child’s medical team directly, call 911 or go to an Emergency Department.

Interpreter services, Child Life, social work and Ronald McDonald House

Dayton Children’s provides several support services designed to keep families informed and close to their child.

Language and interpreter services

Dayton Children’s provides American Sign Language services and interpreters for many spoken languages. Families should tell the clinic or Central Scheduling in advance when possible so the required interpreter can be arranged.

Child Life

Child Life specialists help children cope with hospitalization, tests and procedures through preparation, play, education, distraction and age-appropriate explanations.

Sensory-friendly laboratory scheduling through Child Life: 937-641-3303.

Social work

Social Work: 937-641-5300. For after-hours, weekend or holiday help, call 937-641-3000.

Social workers can assist with crisis intervention, family concerns, community resources, chronic illness, discharge planning, child protection and other psychosocial needs.

Patient Relations

Patient Relations: 937-641-3306
Email: patientrelations@childrensdayton.org
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House is directly across from the main campus and provides overnight lodging when space is available. Families traveling the greatest distance and those with very ill children receive priority.

Ronald McDonald House 937-224-0047

Office: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Registration: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Call before going because rooms can be limited.

Current house capacity 21 private guest rooms

Includes kitchen, meals, family rooms, play area, laundry, patio and free parking.

Ronald McDonald Family Room inside the hospital

The Family Room provides parents, grandparents and siblings with a place to rest, shower, do laundry, use a nap pod and obtain coffee, snacks and light meals.

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Weekends: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Food, coffee, Wi-Fi, chapel and other amenities

Culinairy Kitchen

Located on the first floor of the main hospital in the Take Flight Gallery.

ServiceCurrent hours
Monday–Friday6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Weekends & holidays6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Breakfast menu6:30–10 a.m.
Lunch / dinner options11 a.m. until closing

Up Cafe

Main-campus Up Cafe is just inside the hospital main entrance in the Take Flight Gallery.

Daily: 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Holidays: 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Free inpatient caregiver meals

Dayton Children’s currently provides two complimentary meals per inpatient room per day for parents, guardians or caregivers. Families can use meal delivery or choose a $6 voucher for the Culinairy Kitchen or Up Cafe.

Altitude Gift Shop

Located in the Take Flight Gallery near Up Cafe.

Monday–Saturday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday and major holidays: closed
Gift order phone: 937-641-3890

Other useful amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi: connect to “Dayton Children’s Guest Wireless.”
  • Interfaith chapel: first floor across from pharmacy; open 24/7.
  • ATM: near the purple elevators; Dayton Children’s does not charge an ATM fee.
  • Charging stations: available throughout the campus.
  • Vending: available 24/7 in inpatient family areas.
  • SkyDeck: fourth floor patient tower; seasonal daytime access.
  • Play spaces: available in multiple waiting and inpatient areas.

Dayton Children’s Hospital phone directory

Use the direct number below when possible instead of repeatedly going through the main operator.

Need / departmentPhone
Main hospital937-641-3000
Toll-free general information800-228-4055
Central Scheduling937-641-4000
Emergency Department – main campus937-641-3600
Recent ER / urgent-care follow-up questions937-641-3893
Price Family Mental Health Crisis Center937-641-3000
Endocrinology937-641-3487
Orthopedics prescription/refill line937-641-3010
Pediatric Gastroenterology937-641-3090
Pediatric Surgery937-461-5020
PICU937-641-8550
Pathology / lab questions937-641-3358
Sensory-friendly lab scheduling937-641-3303
Pharmacy – main campus937-641-5500
Specialty Pharmacy937-641-3463
Physical Therapy937-641-3070
Palliative Care937-641-5146
Medical Records / HIM937-641-3395
MyChart Support877-355-3155
Patient Accounts / Billing937-641-3555
Financial Advocates937-641-5727
Patient Relations937-641-3306
Social Work937-641-5300
Gift Shop patient orders937-641-3890
Ronald McDonald House937-224-0047
Pediatric transport877-855-7337 / 937-641-5437

Dayton Children’s Hospital map and campus locations

Main hospital: 1 Children’s Plaza, Dayton, Ohio 45404.

Before leaving your vehicle, confirm whether your appointment is in the main hospital, Specialty Care Center at 730 Valley Street, Mathile Center at 860 Valley Street or another Dayton Children’s location.

Three commonly confused campus destinations

Main Hospital

1 Children’s Plaza
Emergency, inpatient care, surgery, pharmacy and multiple specialty services.

Specialty Care Center

730 Valley Street
Major outpatient specialty clinics, diagnostics and related services.

Mathile Center

860 Valley Street
Mental-health crisis, inpatient mental health, bridge and day-treatment programs.

Before you leave home: visit checklist

Specialty appointment

  • Confirm the doctor and department.
  • Confirm whether a referral is required.
  • Verify insurance and prior authorization.
  • Bring current insurance card.
  • Bring parent/guardian photo identification.
  • Bring current medication list.
  • Bring outside imaging or medical records requested by the clinic.
  • Confirm whether the visit is main campus or another location.
  • Check MyChart for appointment instructions.

Surgery / procedure

  • Follow fasting instructions exactly.
  • Confirm medications to take or hold.
  • Confirm arrival time.
  • Bring insurance card and ID.
  • Bring requested imaging/test results.
  • Tell the team if the child becomes ill before surgery.
  • Ask for sensory-friendly support when appropriate.
  • Confirm transportation home if required.

Dayton Children’s Hospital FAQs

These answers focus on the practical questions families most often need before visiting Dayton Children’s.

1. What is the address and phone number for Dayton Children’s Hospital?
Dayton Children’s main campus is at 1 Children’s Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404. The main phone number is 937-641-3000. The main hospital operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Is Dayton Children’s Emergency Department open 24 hours?
Yes. The main-campus pediatric Emergency Department at 1 Children’s Plaza is open 24/7. Its direct phone number is 937-641-3600. Dayton Children’s is also the region’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.
3. How do I schedule a specialist appointment at Dayton Children’s?
Call Central Scheduling at 937-641-4000 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some specialties require a physician referral before the first appointment. Many eligible visits can also be booked online.
4. How much is a doctor visit at Dayton Children’s?
There is no single consultation fee for every specialty. The amount depends on the physician, facility services, testing and insurance benefits. Some professional services may be billed separately from the Dayton Children’s hospital bill.
5. How much does the Dayton Children’s ER cost?
Dayton Children’s does not publish one flat ER fee because the charge depends on the level of emergency care and whether the child needs laboratory testing, imaging, medication, procedures, trauma care or hospital admission. Separate physician, radiology or ambulance bills may also apply.
6. Is parking free at Dayton Children’s Hospital?
Yes. Parking is currently free for patients, families and visitors. Main-hospital visitors can use the free parking garage, while Emergency Department families can use the garage or designated free surface parking.
7. What are Dayton Children’s visiting hours?
General family and friend visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parents and legal guardians are encouraged to stay with hospitalized children. The main entrance is locked from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.; parents and grandparents arriving during those hours enter through the Emergency Department.
8. How do I get my child’s Dayton Children’s medical records?
Contact Health Information Management at 937-641-3395 or email medrecrequest@childrensdayton.org. Many results and visit details are also available through MyChart.
9. Does Dayton Children’s offer financial assistance?
Yes. Dayton Children’s currently offers financial assistance to qualifying families with income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, and 100% charity care is available in qualifying cases. Families above that level may still be considered for hardship assistance. Call 937-641-5727.
10. What days are Dayton Children’s doctors available?
Dayton Children’s does not publish one stable weekly schedule for every specialist. Many doctors rotate between the main campus, south campus and regional offices or have surgery/inpatient duties. Use the current provider directory or call 937-641-4000 for the exact doctor, location, date and appointment time.