On Jan. 11, 1907, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Association, now known as Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, was incorporated by Anna Clise creating the first pediatric facility in the Northwest.

In 1898, tragedy struck the Clise family when their youngest son, 6-year-old Willis succumbed to an untreatable inflammatory rheumatism. At that time, the closest children’s hospital was in San Francisco. Out of this tragedy, Anna Clise, with her family and other community leaders founded the Childrenﾒs Hospital Association. Funding was provided by 24 Seattle women who contribute $20 each to address the lack of a facility to treat crippled and malnourished children.