Celebrating six years of MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital

In Feb. 2020, MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital opened its doors with a bold vision: to give every child, and every family, the most advanced, compassionate and family-centered care possible. That vision became reality thanks to the generosity of donors who believed in creating a world-class pediatric and women’s health hospital for South Carolina.

Today, as we celebrate the hospital’s sixth anniversary, we honor the impact philanthropy continues to make.

1. The No. 1 children’s hospital in South Carolina, powered by donor support.

MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is proud to be recognized as the No. 1 children’s hospital in South Carolina, an achievement made possible in part by philanthropic investment in advanced technology, family support programs, and specialized pediatric services. 

Donor generosity ensures our caregivers have the tools, resources and spaces they need to deliver exceptional care to every child who walks through our doors.

2. Two large community play spaces: the Zucker Family Play Atrium and the Boeing Dreamscape Garden

The hospital is home to two expansive, donor-supported community play spaces that celebrate joy, imagination and movement:

• The Zucker Family Play Atrium — a bright, indoor play environment where children can explore and just be kids.
• The Boeing Dreamscape Garden — an outdoor rooftop oasis filled with interactive elements, open-air play areas, and space for families to gather and relax.

Both play spaces were made possible through transformational philanthropy, recognizing that play is not just fun — it’s an essential part of healing, coping and childhood.

3. Three beloved hospital dogs: Cher, Zelda and Garth, all funded through philanthropy

Among the most beloved members of the MUSC care team are three professionally trained facility dogs, Cher, Zelda and Garth.

These incredible dogs bring comfort, reduce anxiety, motivate patients during therapy sessions, and spark moments of joy even on the hardest days.

Their training, handlers, and ongoing care are funded entirely by donors, whose generosity ensures that every child at MUSC can experience the healing power of a furry friend.

4. Ranked No. 4 in the nation for cardiology and heart surgery, an honor supported by donors

MUSC’s pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program is nationally recognized, ranking No. 4 in the nation, a testament to clinical excellence, innovative research and world-class care.

This achievement has been strengthened by philanthropic support that fuels lifesaving technology, specialty training and cutting-edge research, ensuring that children with complex heart conditions receive the best possible care.

5. The fifth floor NICU: the largest in South Carolina, delivering the highest level of care

Located on the fifth floor, MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is home to the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in South Carolina, a lifeline for the state’s most vulnerable newborns.

The NICU is expanding to 88 beds, ensuring even more critically ill and premature infants can receive care close to home. Our expert nursing teams deliver Level 4 NICU care, the highest level available in the state, providing advanced, lifesaving treatment for babies who need it most.

Philanthropic support plays a vital role in this environment, helping fund specialized equipment, family-centered spaces, and the highly trained teams who stand beside babies and families during their earliest, most fragile moments.

6. Six years of transforming children’s health, thanks to philanthropy

Over the past six years, philanthropy has played a vital role in shaping every corner of the hospital:

• Supporting groundbreaking pediatric research
• Providing equipment that saves lives
• Enhancing child life programs and therapies
• Funding comfort items that help kids feel like kids
• Investing in caregivers who devote their lives to children’s health

MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital stands as a powerful example of what a community can accomplish when it comes together for children.

Celebrating today, building tomorrow

As we honor six years of hope, healing and innovation, we also look forward to the future. Philanthropy continues to drive what’s possible — empowering caregivers, advancing treatment and ensuring every child has access to extraordinary care, close to home.