In 2013, the writer’s youngest son underwent hernia repair surgery at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (CHoW), and while she was grateful for the care he received, there have been concerns about the hospital’s practices over the years. A major controversy involved Dr. Barbara Knox, the head of the University of Wisconsin’s Child Protection Program and CHoW’s child abuse pediatrician, who was accused of falsely claiming several families were abusing their children.
Despite these accusations being dismissed by Child Protective Services and law enforcement, Dr. Knox was suspended and later left CHoW in 2019. She moved to Alaska, where similar issues seemed to follow her.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has also been involved in other controversial practices, including offering gender care services, such as providing puberty blockers to children as young as 10. The hospital has become a point of contention for some, particularly those critical of the growing influence of progressive ideologies in healthcare. This has led to accusations that the hospital has “gone woke,” and this was further highlighted by a recent incident involving donations for children.
Children’s Hospital Faces Backlash Over Rejected Donation, Sparking Debate on Political Correctness
In December 2024, the hospital made headlines when it rejected a donation of toys from a local charity, Brecken’s Blessings, solely because the organization’s name contained the word “blessings.” The hospital cited its policy, claiming the word could be considered religious and thus inappropriate for a public healthcare institution. The decision sparked outrage among many, with critics accusing CHoW of being overly politically correct and abandoning the spirit of charity and compassion, especially during the holiday season.
Public backlash was swift, with many questioning the hospital’s priorities. Some argued that the rejection of donations over a secular word like “blessings” was an example of misguided political correctness, while others felt that the hospital was putting bureaucratic rules above the well-being of children in need. Social media users expressed disappointment, pointing out that “blessing” is a word with secular connotations, such as offering approval or support for something, making the decision seem even more unreasonable.
In response to the backlash, Children’s Wisconsin issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for the harm caused. The hospital clarified that it did not intend to reject the donation based on the word “blessings” and expressed regret for the misunderstanding. They also pledged to review and improve their guidelines to ensure better communication and consistency with their mission. However, questions remained about whether the staff members responsible for the rejection would face any consequences, leading to further discussion about accountability within the institution.
