La Rabida Children’s Hospital wins U.S.A.’s Most Beautiful Hospital award

Call it one of our city’s true unknown treasures. Maybe try a hidden gem? How about a well-kept secret of the best kind, or maybe even an undiscovered jewel. Whatever phrase you choose to use, make no mistake about it: La Rabida Children’s Hospital is truly one of Chicago’s finest, and maybe most unsung, public places.

Now, in addition to all of the above... you can also call it the most beautiful hospital in the country!

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After finishing in 17th place in 2024 and fourth place last year, La Rabida won first place in this year’s annual Soliant Health awards.

Soliant Health’s annual program looks beyond architecture alone to celebrate the many qualities that can make a hospital beautiful inside and out, from natural light, artwork, thoughtful design, and peaceful surroundings to the healthcare professionals and staff who shape the patient experience every day.

“Every hospital on this year’s list shows that a healing environment is shaped by both the space itself and the people who bring it to life,” said Emily Miller, president of healthcareat Soliant.

Located just off the shores of Lake Michigan near Jackson Park, this beautiful and meticulously kept-up hospital is geared strictly for kids and has been a Chicago staple for over 100 years. Actually, make that 130 years old, as the hospital’s construction began in 1896, after Chicago’s World’s Fair closed in 1893.

The name La Rabida came from the fact that they took over the building that Spain had built as its exhibition hall for the World’s Fair. The La Rabida Monastery was part of that, and the name stayed on as the exhibition hall transformed into a hospital.

The services provided at La Rabida are for the many families who have kids in need, most of whom are on Medicaid and badly in need of assistance. They serve any families, regardless of financial situation, and they do so with care, love, and passion for what they are doing.

Nurses, pediatricians, occupational therapists, speech and developmental therapists—these are just a few of the jobs people do at La Rabida. Their services are provided for children who may have developmental disabilities, child abuse, or trauma situations. Diabetes, asthma, sickle cell, and chronic illnesses are examples of the many cases that are dealt with at La Rabida Children’s Hospital.

Services provided are both inpatient and outpatient, but they do not do surgeries at this hospital, instead referring patients to the best possible locations for the required procedure.

The award from Soliant Health was absolutely well-deserved. The hospital is spectacular from an aesthetic standpoint. It features a child-friendly blue nautical coloring theme, with every room having a view of beautiful Lake Michigan.

The care and love shown by the people who work at La Rabida work in perfect lockstep with the beautiful atmosphere inside. Both are a reflection of each other.

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How wonderful it is that our city has this child-centered hospital, helping so many kids in need, and additionally easing, at least a little bit, the stress on parents and families as well.

Thank you to all who have put the work in over the many years to make La Rabida Children’s Hospital truly one of our city’s greatest facilities.

Who knows, maybe sooner than later (and maybe this column will help!), La Rabida won’t be a “hidden gem” anymore, but instead will be front and center—shining brightly as an example of one of our city's best and brightest. 

In the meantime…let it be known: they rest alone at the top, as our country’s most beautiful hospital. Congrats to all who worked so hard to gain this honor.

For more information (including information on their upcoming 40th celebration Gala at The Ritz-Carlton), go to this website.