St. Christopher’s Children’s Hosp.: Pediatric Care & Info

Pediatric hospital guide · Fact-checked August 24, 2026

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children: appointments, ER, doctors, parking and family information

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children is a 180-bed pediatric hospital at 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134. The hospital is operated through a partnership between Tower Health and Drexel University and has cared for children in Philadelphia since 1875.

St. Chris provides pediatric primary care and more than 30 specialty services, including emergency medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, oncology, critical care, surgery, Level IV neonatal intensive care and pediatric trauma care. It has more than 220 pediatric experts and is one of Pennsylvania’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers.

This guide puts the practical information families usually need into one place: emergency hours, doctor names, clinic timings, appointment numbers, free parking, entrances, visitor rules, medical records, MyTowerHealth, pharmacy, laboratory, insurance, hospital prices, financial assistance, Child Life, Ronald McDonald House lodging and critical-care transport.

180 pediatric beds Level I Pediatric Trauma Level IV NICU Verified Pediatric Burn Center ER open 24/7 Parking is free
Child with a life-threatening emergency? Call 911 or go directly to the St. Christopher’s Emergency Department at 160 E Erie Avenue. The ED is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians are in attendance at all times.
Main hospital 215-427-5000

General information and hospital routing.

Patient scheduling 1-888-CHRISKIDS

Also listed as 215-427-6900 in the 2026 physician directory.

Emergency Department 215-427-5366

Emergency care is available 24/7.

Medical records 215-427-5207

Virtual HIM office Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Billing 484-628-1000

Hospital bill, payment-plan and insurance questions.

Financial assistance 484-628-5683

Eligibility and financial-aid application help.

Start here: what does your child need?

Use the number and entrance that matches the reason for your visit.

Emergency now
Emergency Department entrance; parking Lots A or B. Open 24/7. ED phone: 215-427-5366.
Schedule specialist care
Patient scheduling: 1-888-CHRISKIDS or 215-427-6900.
Routine pediatric care
Center for the Urban Child: 215-427-5985. Main office hours include weekdays and Saturday morning.
Walk-in sick child
Center for the Urban Child offers published walk-in sick sessions Monday-Friday and Saturday morning. Exact times are listed below.
Medical records
Health Information Management: 215-427-5207.
Hospital bill
Billing support: 484-628-1000.
Need a cost estimate
Healthcare quote line: 215-427-6728.
Cannot afford the bill
Financial counselor: 484-628-5683.
Need a prescription
Apple Pharmacy: 215-427-6527, first floor.
Hospital-to-hospital transfer
Pediatric critical-care transport: 215-427-6900, available 24/7.

St. Christopher’s Hospital phone directory

These department numbers come from the current 2026 St. Christopher’s physician and service directory.

Department Phone What families use it for
Main Hospital 215-427-5000 General information and hospital routing
Patient Scheduling 1-888-CHRISKIDS Appointments and specialty access
Transfer / Direct Admit 215-427-6900 Hospital admissions and pediatric transport
Emergency Department 215-427-5366 24/7 pediatric emergency care
Adolescent Medicine 215-427-3802 Teen and young-adult care
Audiology 215-427-5469 Hearing evaluation
Behavioral Health 215-427-3996 Behavioral-health services; appointment availability is limited
Cardiology 215-427-4820 Pediatric heart care
Cardiothoracic Surgery 215-427-4818 Pediatric heart surgery
Child Protection 215-427-6869 Child Protection Program
Dental Medicine 215-427-5065 Pediatric dental services
Endocrinology 215-427-8100 Diabetes and hormone disorders
Fetal Evaluation Center 215-427-5521 Prenatal/fetal specialty evaluation
Gastroenterology 215-427-6778 Digestive and GI care
General Surgery 215-427-5292 Pediatric surgical care
Genetics 215-427-8413 Genetic consultation
Healthy Weight Clinic 215-427-6007 Philly Kids weight-management program
Hematology 215-427-5096 Blood disorders
Immunology 215-427-5284 Immunology services
Infectious Diseases 215-427-5201 Pediatric infectious disease
Nephrology 215-427-5190 Kidney care
Neurology 215-427-5470 Pediatric neurological care
Neonatology / NICU 215-427-5202 Level IV NICU / newborn specialty care
Oncology 215-427-4669 Childhood cancer care
Ophthalmology 215-427-8120 Eye and vision care
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 215-427-3131 Bone, joint and sports injury care
ENT / Otolaryngology 215-427-8915 Ear, nose and throat
Plastic Surgery 215-427-5191 Reconstructive/plastic surgical services
Pulmonology & Allergy 215-427-5183 Lung and allergy care
Rheumatology 215-427-5094 Pediatric rheumatology
Sleep Center 215-427-3850 Sleep testing and evaluation
Medical Records 215-427-5207 Hospital Health Information Management
Apple Pharmacy 215-427-6527 Prescription pickup/refills
Security 215-427-5326 Security help and after-dark vehicle escort
Patient Advocate 215-427-5163 Patient complaints and unresolved concerns

St. Christopher’s pediatric Emergency Department

The emergency department is designed specifically for infants, children and adolescents.

ER hours 24 hours / 7 days

Pediatric emergency physicians are in attendance at all times.

ER phone 215-427-5366

160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia.

Parking Lots A & B

Emergency Entrance parking is free.

The pediatric Emergency Department is approximately 17,300 square feet and includes 34 examination rooms, a trauma bay and three care zones designed to move children through evaluation efficiently.

St. Christopher’s says the ED evaluates more than 69,000 children and adolescents each year. The department has dedicated pediatric emergency medicine physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, specially trained pediatric nurses, behavioral-health space, video interpretation and social-work support.

Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

St. Christopher’s is one of only three Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers in Pennsylvania. The hospital treats serious injuries ranging from fractures and head injuries to complex multisystem trauma.

Verified Pediatric Burn Center

The Stuart J. Hulnick Burn Center is located with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. St. Christopher’s describes it as the only verified pediatric burn center in the region between Manhattan and Baltimore.

Level IV NICU

St. Christopher’s also operates a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the highest NICU level, for critically ill newborns requiring complex neonatal care.

Do not wait for an office appointment during a medical emergency. Serious breathing difficulty, major trauma, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, poisoning or another potentially life-threatening condition requires emergency evaluation.

Emergency fees, doctor fees and hospital prices

St. Christopher’s does not publish one fixed price for every emergency visit or pediatric consultation.

There is no single “St. Christopher’s ER fee.” An emergency bill depends on the medical screening, physician services, imaging, laboratory testing, medications, procedures, trauma services and whether the child is admitted.

Why the final bill may contain separate charges

  • Hospital facility charges
  • Physician or surgeon professional fees
  • Anesthesiology
  • Radiology interpretation
  • Laboratory/pathology
  • Medication and pharmacy charges
  • Operating room or procedure fees
  • Room charges for inpatient admission
  • Intensive-care, NICU or trauma services when required

Get a real estimate before planned care

Healthcare quote 215-427-6728

St. Christopher’s publishes this number for an estimate of planned hospital care.

Billing questions 484-628-1000

Ask about charges, insurance responsibility, an itemized bill or payment plan.

The hospital also publishes its chargemaster and an online Patient Estimate Tool. St. Christopher’s specifically warns that a chargemaster amount should not be treated as the amount an individual family will owe.

The final responsibility depends on insurance contracts, deductible, coinsurance, copayments, eligibility for financial assistance and the actual medical care provided.

How to make an appointment at St. Christopher’s

Appointment routes differ for primary care, specialists and emergency care.

Know which service your child needs. Primary care, cardiology, GI, neurology, orthopedics and other specialties each have separate department numbers.
Call patient scheduling when unsure. Use 1-888-CHRISKIDS or 215-427-6900.
Ask whether a referral is required. Insurance and specialty requirements differ.
Confirm the entrance. St. Chris Drive, Center for the Urban Child and Nelson Pavilion serve different clinics.
Confirm your doctor and appointment time. Clinic operating hours do not mean every listed physician is present every day.
Verify insurance. Call the insurer using the number on the insurance card if network participation is important.

Virtual pediatric visits

St. Christopher’s Pediatric Associates also offers virtual pediatric appointments for eligible minor illnesses and follow-up care. Families first call the child’s doctor as usual; if the problem can be handled without a physical examination, the office may offer a video visit during an available provider time.

Primary pediatric care and walk-in sick hours

The Center for the Urban Child is one of the most useful services for local Philadelphia families.

Primary care 215-427-5985

Center for the Urban Child, 160 E Erie Avenue.

Regular clinic hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Saturday 8 a.m.-noon; Sunday closed.

Walk-in sick visit hours

Day Walk-in sick sessions
Monday-Friday 8:00-11:30 a.m. and noon-3:30 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m.-noon
Sunday Closed

Nurses are also available through the primary-care office to help parents decide whether a child needs to be seen. The office provides after-hours guidance and can arrange urgent care when appropriate.

Doctors at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children

The 2026 official physician directory lists more than 220 pediatric experts. Below are current main-campus doctors in the specialties families search most often.

About doctor schedules: St. Christopher’s publishes clinic operating hours, but it does not publish a permanent Monday-through-Sunday shift calendar for every doctor. Emergency, NICU, critical-care and inpatient physicians rotate. Call the clinic before traveling if you need a specific doctor.

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Emergency physicians are available 24/7. The official 2026 directory lists:

  • Richard Hamilton, MD — Executive Medical Director
  • Lauren Carr, DO
  • Cynthia Carter, DO
  • Nabila Chowdhury-Kalari, MD
  • Beth Etra, MD
  • Geoffrey Everett, MD
  • Luis Gamboa, MD
  • Elizabeth Kurian, DO
  • Eric Lusinski, MD
  • Pramath Nath, MD
  • Gerard Pellegrini, DO
  • Jean Rinnan, MD
  • John Saludades, MD
  • Sarah Urbon, MD

Emergency Medicine office: 215-427-5369

Pediatric Cardiology

  • Sunita Ferns, MD — Section Chief
  • Boban Abraham, MD
  • Jeffrey Mortenson, MD
  • Jie Sun, MD
  • Anna Tsirka, MD

Clinic: 215-427-4820 · Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pediatric Critical Care / PICU

  • Ajit Mammen, MD — Section Chief
  • Andrew Butler, MD
  • Ryan DeSanti, DO
  • Saad Feroz, MD
  • Swetha Madhavarapu, MD
  • Christine Schlichting, MD
  • Susan Schmidt, DO

Critical Care: 215-427-4067

Neonatology / Level IV NICU

  • Alison Carey, MD — Section Chief
  • Endla Anday, MD
  • Jherna Balany, MD
  • Juan Ballesteros, MD
  • Vilmaris Cardona, MD
  • Soumini Chintala, MD
  • Margaret Gilfillan, MD
  • Swosti Joshi, MD
  • Folasade Kehinde, MD
  • Kendra Kolb, MD
  • Kelley Kovatis, MD
  • Shadi Malaeb, MD
  • Ogechukwu Menkiti, MD
  • Roschanak Mossabeb, MD
  • Monika Rydzewska, MD
  • Michael Szatkowski, MD
  • Yanick Vibert, DO

Neonatology: 215-427-5202

Gastroenterology

  • Vesta Salehi, MD — Section Chief
  • Virginia Chinn, MD
  • Laurence Feinstein, MD
  • Ellen Mitchell, MD
  • Samantha Paglinco, DO
  • Khadija Toor, MD

GI scheduling: 215-427-6778

Hospital Medicine

  • Brett Leggett, MD — Section Chief
  • Thair Abed, MD
  • Annamarie Carr, MD
  • Michael DelVecchio, MD
  • Hemalatha Guruprasad, MD
  • Hans Kersten, MD
  • Nicholas Kuzma, MD
  • Kheyandra Lewis, MD
  • Eric Thompson, MD

Hospital Medicine: 215-427-4067

Neurology

  • Daphne Hasbani, MD, PhD
  • Joseph Melvin, DO
  • Elise Mercier, MD
  • Lauren Morris, DO

Neurology: 215-427-5470

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

  • Martin Herman, MD — Section Chief
  • Nancy Campbell, DO
  • Alison Gattuso, DO
  • Megan Gresh, MD
  • Kathleen O’Brien, MD
  • Joseph Rosenblatt, DO
  • Shannon Safier, MD
  • Michael Wolf, MD

Orthopedics: 215-427-3131

Hematology

  • Nataly Apollonsky, MD — Section Chief
  • Jennifer Eng, MD
  • Deepti Raybagkar, MD

Phone: 215-427-5096 · Clinic hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Endocrinology

  • Elizabeth Suarez, MD — Section Chief
  • Kimberly Fuld, DO
  • Rita Kubicky, MD
  • Andreea Marinescu, MD
  • Maite Emilia Del Valle Rolon, MD

Endocrinology: 215-427-8100

Infectious Diseases

  • Janet Chen, MD — Section Chief
  • Deborah Bloch-Goldstein, MD
  • Emily Souder, MD

Infectious Diseases: 215-427-5201

ENT / Otolaryngology

  • David Zwillenberg, MD — Section Chief
  • Pamela Roehm, MD, PhD
  • Alyssa Terk, MD
  • Seth Zwillenberg, MD

ENT: 215-427-8915

Need another specialty? The 2026 directory also includes anesthesiology, audiology, child protection, dental medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, fetal medicine, genetics, immunology, nephrology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, oncology, plastic surgery, pulmonology, radiology, rheumatology, sleep medicine, behavioral health and urology.

Published clinic hours at the main Philadelphia campus

These are office hours for the clinic—not a promise that every doctor listed for the specialty is in the building every hour.

Service Phone Published hours
Emergency Department 215-427-5366 24 hours / 7 days
Center for the Urban Child 215-427-5985 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-noon; Sun closed
Primary Care Walk-In Sick Visits 215-427-5985 Mon-Fri 8-11:30am & noon-3:30pm; Sat 8am-noon
Cardiology 215-427-4820 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Hematology 215-427-5096 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm
Outpatient Laboratory 215-427-5551 Mon-Fri 7am-2:45pm
Apple Pharmacy 215-427-6527 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 10am-3pm; Sun closed
Medical Records 215-427-5207 Virtual office Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm
Holiday schedules and doctor availability can differ from normal clinic hours. Confirm same-day availability before traveling if your child needs a particular physician.

Which entrance should you use?

The official campus map divides services among several entrances.

1. Emergency Entrance
Open 24/7 · Parking A or B.
Use for Emergency Medicine and pediatric trauma.
2. St. Chris Drive
Open 24/7 · Parking B, D or E.
Main route for Admissions, Apple Pharmacy, surgery, NICU, PICU, imaging, laboratory, infusion, rehabilitation and many specialty offices.
3. Center for Urban Child
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. · Parking B, D or E.
Endocrinology, Genetics and Primary Care.
4. Nelson Pavilion
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. · Parking B or D.
Adolescent Medicine, Gastroenterology, Healthy Weight, Hematology, Immunology, Nephrology, Rheumatology and WIC.
5. Ronald McDonald House
Open 24/7 · Parking C.
Family lodging adjacent to St. Christopher’s.

St. Christopher’s Hospital parking

Parking is much simpler than at many urban children’s hospitals: official hospital parking is free.

Parking fee: $0. The current St. Christopher’s campus map states that hospital parking is free.
Destination Recommended lots
Emergency Department A or B
St. Chris Drive / main specialty services B, D or E
Center for the Urban Child B, D or E
Waldo E. Nelson Pavilion B or D
Ronald McDonald House C

Accessible parking spaces and accessible crosswalks/curb cuts are available. The campus also provides level elevator access and accessible patient areas.

Need help returning to your car after dark?

Hospital security is on site 24/7. Parents or visitors can request a security escort by calling 215-427-5326.

St. Christopher’s visiting hours and parent rules

Parents and guardians have broader access than ordinary visitors.

General visitors 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Daily visiting window for grandparents, siblings and friends.

Parents / guardians 24 hours a day

Parents and guardians may stay with their child around the clock.

Important visitor rules

  • All visitors must sign in at the front desk.
  • A visitor badge must be worn while on campus.
  • Siblings and other children must be supervised by an adult.
  • PICU and other intensive-care units may use different age or visitor rules.
  • The number of visitors in the room may be limited by the care team.
  • Visitors with fever, cough or other illness symptoms should postpone the visit.
  • Tobacco and vaping are prohibited throughout the campus, including parking lots.
  • Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited.
  • Weapons are prohibited.
  • Photography/recording may be restricted in some clinical areas.
  • Cell-phone use may be limited near sensitive medical equipment.

What parents should know about an overnight stay

Patient rooms include practical family amenities such as:

Free Wi-Fi

Available for patients and visitors.

Television

Patient-room television is available.

Bedside telephone

Local calls are free.

In-room dining

Children receive meals according to their dietary needs.

Private shower

Patient-room amenities include private shower access.

Mail delivery

Volunteers can deliver mail addressed to the child’s name and room number.

What to bring for your child

  • Comfortable pajamas
  • Slippers
  • Favorite stuffed animal
  • Blanket or comfort item
  • Books or quiet toys
  • Handheld games if appropriate
  • Current medication information
  • Insurance card
  • Important medical records from outside providers when requested

Valuable jewelry, large amounts of cash and other unnecessary valuables are better left at home.

How to get medical records from St. Christopher’s

Hospital records and specialty-office records can follow different request routes.

Health Information Management 215-427-5207

Virtual office Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Records fax 678-214-3060

For the hospital authorization/request process.

Hospital records covered by the request

  • Inpatient hospital records
  • Emergency-room records
  • Same-day surgery records
  • Observation records
  • Outpatient diagnostic records

How to submit the request

Complete the Authorization to Use and Disclose Health Information form.
Include valid identification. Examples include driver’s license or passport.
Provide guardianship documents when required. This is especially important when the patient is over 18 or legal guardianship applies.
Fax the completed request to 678-214-3060.
Call 215-427-5207 for follow-up.
Follow-up appointments, physician-office visits and specialty-clinic records may need to be requested directly from the specific pediatric office rather than the hospital HIM department.

MyTowerHealth patient portal

MyTowerHealth is the current Tower Health patient portal; it was previously called MyChart.

Appointments

Request or self-schedule eligible visits and join appointment waitlists.

Test results

View many laboratory and diagnostic results online.

Messages

Communicate securely with the child’s participating care team.

Prescriptions

Request eligible refills and receive pharmacy pickup alerts.

Virtual visits

Join scheduled video visits when offered by the provider.

Bills

View and pay participating Tower Health bills online.

MyTowerHealth support has historically been available at 1-855-827-0346. Portal support hours can change, so use the current login/support page if account access is the issue.

Pediatric laboratory location and hours

The outpatient laboratory is on the main floor behind Admissions.

Outpatient lab 215-427-5551

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Clinical pathology 24/7 laboratory service

The 2026 directory lists laboratory medicine service availability around the clock.

How to find the outpatient lab

  1. Enter through the main hospital/St. Chris Drive route.
  2. Go to Admissions directly behind the check-in/security desk.
  3. Complete registration.
  4. Continue to the laboratory behind the Jungle Hut in the main atrium.

Bring the child’s insurance card and confirm that the health plan covers laboratory testing at St. Christopher’s.

Testing includes

  • Routine blood counts and chemistries
  • Urinalysis
  • Rapid strep and flu testing
  • Blood-disorder testing
  • Kidney-function testing
  • Genetic testing
  • Chromosome and microarray studies
  • Pathology evaluation
  • Pre-surgical and transfusion testing
  • Oncology-related testing

Apple Pharmacy at St. Christopher’s

The hospital has a pediatric retail pharmacy on the first floor.

Pharmacy phone 215-427-6527

First floor of St. Christopher’s Hospital.

Clinical pharmacist 215-427-5313

Questions related to pediatric medication therapy.

Day Pharmacy hours
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday Closed

Curbside prescription pickup

  1. Place the child’s medication order.
  2. Drive to the hospital’s curbside pharmacy pickup sign.
  3. Call 215-427-5599.
  4. Pharmacy staff bring the prescription to the vehicle.

Apple Pharmacy provides prescription transfers, automatic refills, text alerts, compounding and pediatric medication counseling.

Billing, uninsured discounts and financial assistance

Families should contact financial services early rather than wait until unpaid bills become a collection problem.

Billing 484-628-1000

Bills, charges, itemized statements and payment plans.

Financial counselor 484-628-5683

Current hospital financial-assistance contact.

Financial policy copies 215-427-8442

Printed assistance policy/application and additional financial-service help.

Published 2025 financial-assistance structure

Household income Published allowance Maximum patient payment per encounter
At or below 200% FPL 100% financial-assistance allowance $0
201%-250% FPL 90% allowance on Medicare FFS rate $300
251%-300% FPL 80% allowance on Medicare FFS rate $500
301%-350% FPL 70% allowance on Medicare FFS rate $1,000
351%-400% FPL 50% allowance on Medicare FFS rate $2,000

The current policy says patients above 400% FPL generally move to the hospital’s uninsured-rate rules rather than this sliding financial-assistance table.

Uninsured rate

St. Christopher’s current policy states that its uninsured rate is 50% of amounts generally billed (AGB) and is applied at billing for qualifying uninsured patients. Cosmetic procedures can follow separate self-pay schedules.

Application timing

The 2025 policy states that patients can request financial-assistance consideration within 240 days from the first patient statement date. A complete financial-aid application is generally reviewed for eligibility within 14 days.

Documents families may need

  • Recent pay stubs or employer verification
  • W-2 or 1099 forms
  • Unemployment or workers’ compensation documentation
  • Public-assistance income documentation
  • Recent tax returns for self-employed applicants
  • Recent bank statements when asset verification is required
Emergency patients receive medical screening before financial coverage verification in accordance with emergency-care requirements. A child’s emergency evaluation should not be delayed because a parent cannot immediately provide insurance information.

Insurance accepted at St. Christopher’s

The hospital accepts many major commercial, Medicaid, CHIP and marketplace plans, but participation varies by exact product.

Major categories currently listed

Commercial

  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Geisinger
  • Highmark Blue Shield
  • Horizon BCBS
  • Independence Blue Cross
  • Tricare
  • UnitedHealthcare

Medicaid / CHIP

  • AmeriHealth Caritas
  • Geisinger
  • Highmark Wholecare
  • Horizon NJ Health
  • Jefferson Health Plans
  • Keystone First
  • PA Health & Wellness
  • UHC Medicaid
  • UPMC for You

Marketplace / other

  • Geisinger
  • PA Health & Wellness / Ambetter
  • Multiple CHIP products
  • Selected Medicare Advantage plans where applicable
Verify the exact plan. St. Christopher’s publishes important exclusions for some Aetna, Highmark, Independence Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare products. The insurer’s name alone is not enough to prove that your child’s exact plan is in network.

Current insurance questions can be directed to 484-628-1000.

Child Life, hospital tours and family support

St. Christopher’s has pediatric-specific services designed to make hospitalization less frightening for children.

Child Life tour 215-427-5321

Families can schedule a hospital tour before a planned admission or procedure.

Child Life Services Family-centered support

Preparation, play, coping support and age-appropriate explanations for medical care.

Child Life specialists can walk families through the areas where the child will receive care, answer questions and help parents prepare children for hospitalization.

St. Christopher’s suggests talking with young children shortly before the visit and giving older children more advance notice so they can ask questions and participate in age-appropriate decisions.

Other family-support services

  • Social work
  • Pet therapy
  • Parent and child support groups
  • Spiritual care
  • Care coordination
  • WIC support
  • Medical-legal assistance through the Center for the Urban Child
  • Food-resource programs
  • Family Advisory Council

Accessibility

St. Christopher’s provides accessible parking, curb cuts, level elevator access, accessible patient areas and communication aids at no additional charge. Available aids include sign-language interpreters, TTY/TDD assistance, large-print materials, communication support and other accessibility services.

Pediatric critical-care transport

This service is for transfers from other hospitals and healthcare facilities rather than ordinary rides to an appointment.

Transport Services 215-427-6900 · 24/7

A specially trained registered nurse coordinates pediatric and neonatal transfers.

St. Christopher’s reports more than 2,600 helicopter and ambulance transfers each year from hospitals in the tri-state region.

The transport team handles children with conditions such as:

  • Critical illness
  • Neonatal emergencies
  • Burns
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Heart conditions
  • Intensive-care needs

Team members include pediatric-trained nurses and paramedics with advanced resuscitation and critical-care transport training.

Ronald McDonald House next to St. Christopher’s

Families who live far from Philadelphia may have access to dedicated family lodging directly beside the hospital.

Location Front & Erie

Immediately next to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Phone 215-291-0907

Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region.

The Front & Erie location provides temporary lodging for up to approximately 20 families whose children are receiving medical care.

The Ronald McDonald House entrance is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and uses Parking Lot C.

Lodging is not the same as a normal hotel reservation. Eligibility and room availability depend on current Ronald McDonald House policies and family need, so families should call before traveling.

Food, Wi-Fi, gift shop and other visitor amenities

Cafeteria

Located on the ground floor and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Jungle Hut

Lobby coffee shop offering coffee, pastries, yogurt and grab-and-go items.

Free Wi-Fi

Available for families and hospital visitors.

ATM

Located on the ground floor outside the cafeteria.

Vending

Snack and beverage machines are available on the ground floor.

Gift Shop

First floor near the main entrance; gifts, flowers, cards, toiletries and selected over-the-counter items.

Parent meals in the child’s room

A parent or partner may eat with the child in the room by purchasing a meal voucher in the cafeteria and placing the order through the hospital dining extension. The parent and child’s trays can then be delivered together.

Spiritual support

Hospital chaplains and community clergy are available for families. The nondenominational chapel is on the first floor near the gift shop and is open 24 hours a day.

Patient complaints and family concerns

Families have the right to raise questions or concerns about care without affecting future treatment.

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children — Patient Advocate
160 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Phone: 215-427-5163

Contact Patient Relations/Patient Advocate when a problem cannot be resolved with the immediate care team or when a parent wants a formal review of a complaint.

St. Christopher’s Hospital address and Google Map

The hospital is in North Philadelphia near Erie Avenue and Front Street.

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
160 East Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19134-1011
Main phone: 215-427-5000
Map destination: St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, 160 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19134.

Before taking your child to St. Christopher’s

A few checks before leaving home can make the hospital visit easier.

For a clinic appointment

  • Confirm the exact specialty.
  • Confirm the entrance and parking lot.
  • Confirm the appointment time and doctor.
  • Bring parent/guardian identification.
  • Bring the child’s insurance card.
  • Bring referral or authorization paperwork when required.
  • Bring an updated medication list.
  • Bring outside medical records or imaging when requested.
  • Ask about expected cost for scheduled high-dollar services.

For an overnight admission

  • Bring comfort items labeled with the child’s name.
  • Leave unnecessary valuables at home.
  • Ask the nurse about parent sleeping arrangements.
  • Ask Child Life for preparation help when needed.
  • Ask social work about lodging, transportation or financial barriers.
  • Save the hospital main number: 215-427-5000.
  • Ask about Ronald McDonald House if traveling from far away.

St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children FAQs

Answers to common parent questions about the Philadelphia children’s hospital.

1. What is St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children phone number?
The main hospital phone number is 215-427-5000. Patient scheduling is available through 1-888-CHRISKIDS, and the Emergency Department can be reached at 215-427-5366.
2. Is St. Christopher’s emergency room open 24 hours?
Yes. The pediatric Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians are in attendance at all times.
3. Is St. Christopher’s a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center?
Yes. St. Christopher’s is one of Pennsylvania’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers and also operates a verified pediatric burn center.
4. How much is parking at St. Christopher’s Hospital?
The current official campus map states that hospital parking is free. Emergency patients generally use Lots A or B, while other clinics use Lots B, C, D or E depending on the entrance.
5. What are visiting hours at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children?
General visiting hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Parents and legal guardians may be with their child 24 hours a day. Intensive-care units may use additional visitor restrictions.
6. How much does St. Christopher’s emergency room cost?
There is no single fixed ER fee. The bill depends on the evaluation, testing, procedures, medication and other services provided. For planned care, families can request a hospital estimate at 215-427-6728.
7. How do I get my child’s medical records?
Call Health Information Management at 215-427-5207. The virtual records office operates Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hospital authorization forms can be faxed to 678-214-3060.
8. Does St. Christopher’s have MyChart?
The hospital uses MyTowerHealth, formerly known as MyChart. It provides access to appointments, many test results, messages, prescription requests, virtual visits and billing tools.
9. Can parents stay overnight with a child at St. Christopher’s?
Parents and guardians may remain with their hospitalized child 24 hours a day. Accommodation details vary by patient room and clinical unit, so ask the child’s nurse about the current overnight arrangement.
10. Can I see which St. Christopher’s doctor is working today?
The hospital publishes current provider names but does not publish a complete live shift calendar for every physician. Emergency, NICU, critical-care and inpatient doctors rotate by shift. For outpatient care, call the specialty clinic to confirm the specific doctor’s current appointment availability.

Official information reviewed for this guide

This article incorporates the useful facts directly rather than forcing parents to open multiple hospital pages. Official links remain primarily for live scheduling, portal access, current pricing, forms and campus navigation.

Reviewed August 24, 2026. Individual doctor schedules, clinic appointment slots, insurance participation, hospital prices, holiday hours and visitor restrictions can change. Where St. Christopher’s does not publish a fixed physician schedule or a single universal patient fee, this guide does not invent one.