not so long ago, a very special place for children was created, the village of Laffalot. It is a place unlike any other on earth, bright, colorful and bursting with whimsy, where children with special health care needs come with their families. The big people of the world have another name for Laffalot: MeritCare Children's.
To them, it's a special medical center for children with state-of-the-art technology, the latest in health care knowledge, advanced techniques and some of the most amazing experts in children's health you'll find anywhere. And the dream for Laffalot led to a specially designed, child-friendly hospital environment that
fosters healing. But this story is for children. It is about the dedicated people who work to make them healthy, and a happy-go-lucky little friend named Alfunz who lives in Laffalot and aids in their work.
Alfunz understands children are not just small adults and that, for them, exceptional medical care is not enough. They also need a stimulating, non-threatening environment that helps them feel safe, secure and joyful, and where they can have their families close by. Most of all, Alfunz understands these children and their families have hopes and dreams for the future. Every day, Alfunz provides children regular reminders that there is more to life than strange machines, pokes, prods and everything else they must endure for good health. In this way he helps the doctors and nurses help the children. At MeritCare Children's, we're doing
everything in our power to help them live happily ever after.
The village of Laffalot is a fantasy place. But for the children who come to MeritCare Children's, life might not always be a fairy tale. Each year, hundreds of children from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota come to MeritCare Children's. Some are battling serious and complex conditions like cancer and congenital heart disease, others struggle with more common illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, and still others need regular trips to the clinic for preventive care.
MeritCare Children's Hospital, located on the 4th floor of MeritCare Medical Center in downtown Fargo, N.D., includes a Pediatric Unit, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Designated a children's hospital by the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions in 1986, MeritCare Children's Hospital is the only facility of its kind in the region and one of only 180 premier children's hospitals in the nation.
We also have two dedicated children's clinics in Fargo for outpatient children's care which are separate from the hospital but part of our overall system of children's care.
Our staff consists of about 50 pediatricians and pediatric specialists — including pediatric critical care and neonatology, specialties rarely found elsewhere else in North Dakota or northwestern Minnesota. MeritCare Children's also includes more than 200 pediatric nurses, therapists and other staff.
These highly qualified medical experts practice in a number of important areas that allow children to be cared for right here in Fargo without having to travel long distances.
- Cardiology (Heart)
- Endocrinology (Diabetes and Metabolism)
- Allergy and Pulmonary (Lungs)
- Oncology and Hematology (Cancer and Blood Disease)
- Neurology (Nerves and Brain)
- Orthopedics (Bones and Joints)
- Gastroenterology (Digestive System)
- Psychiatry
- Critical Care
- Neonatal Intensive Care
At MeritCare Children's, we go beyond exceptional medical care to focus on children's special needs, both physical and emotional. We provide
- Child-friendly healing environment
- Kid-sized medical equipment
- Family-centered care that includes siblings
- Child Life program that lets kids be kids
Kids' Room Service at MeritCare
MeritCare offers a room service menu for our patients. Requests for meals are taken between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m and are delivered within 45 minutes. The
Just for Kids Menu 
features breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items.
CaringBridge
CaringBridge™ is a free, easy-to-use Web site where you can create your own Web page to stay in touch with friends and family while you're in the hospital.
(Find out more.)
Children's Walk-In Clinic
To accommodate parents' busy schedules, we offer walk-in care for sick children. No appointments necessary.
The
MeritCare Children's Southwest Children's Walk-In Clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Closed on holidays.)
Children's Miracle Network
For more information about the Children's Miracle Network, our CMN Champion and how CMN benefits MeritCare Children's Hospital, visit the
CMN section of our Web site.