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At Boston Children’s Hospital, the health and well-being of your child is always our top priority. Our global team of experts is dedicated exclusively to the needs of patients from around the world and comprehends the unique challenges and anxieties that families face when traveling abroad for healthcare. Boston Children’s offers a wide variety of services tailored to your child’s care:

Case coordination

As your main contact person in the hospital, your dedicated case coordinator is here to support you through every step of your child’s care at Boston Children’s. Your case coordinator will:

  • help guide families to collect medical records and other documentation
  • communicate with your child’s referring physician
  • identify the best doctors and services for your child
  • provide cost estimates for treatment, when applicable
  • obtain regular updates on your child’s progress
  • schedule appointments
  • arrange interpreter services
  • guide you through the hospital
  • support with discharge planning
  • facilitate follow-up care

Your medical team

Our Global Medical Service (GMS) team consists of consulting doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses who follow our patients throughout their journey at the hospital. The roles of the GMS team include the following:

  • develop a plan of care
  • provide medical updates
  • aid in discharge planning

From the initial intake process of learning your child’s medical history and expectations to making a plan for the best course of treatment, they are experts in catering to international patients and families to ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

Hale Family Center for Families

The Hale Family Center for Families offers a wide range of non-medical guest services to global families. We will help you find your way around and feel at home in Boston. Some of our services include the following:

  • accommodation assistance
  • parent sleep space arrangements
  • computers with skype support
  • fax machine and printer
  • mobile phone charging station
  • library
  • wellness programs,such as Yoga and Zumba
  • therapy dogs
  • multicultural services
  • grocery shopping
  • pharmacy trips
  • banking
  • mailing
  • finding religious groups

The center is located next to the main lobby between Au Bon Pain and the interactive wall. For more information, contact +1-617-355-6279 or email center.families@childrens.harvard.edu.

Glass doors entering Hale Family Center for Families

Interpretive services

Interpreters for all languages including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, and Portuguese are available 24 hours a day and can be found in the hospital on weekdays from 8:30 to 18:00, and on-call evenings and weekends. We can also facilitate interpretation through three-way phone calls or through video conference with an iPad located in every department.

Remote second opinions

A second opinion from Boston Children’s Hospital is an optional step that can confirm your child’s diagnosis, help you understand your child’s treatment options, and confirm the recommended treatment before coming to Boston. You will have peace of mind knowing that your child’s case was reviewed by the world’s leading expert before stepping foot on a plane. 

Telehealth

Using secure interactive videoconferencing technologies, encrypted messaging, and digital file uploading, we can safely manage the flow of information between various care team members. We can collaborate live with you, your family, and your doctors and nurses to discuss your child’s case and treatment plan. Once you decide to come to Boston Children’s Hospital, we can use these tools to prepare you for your visit. And after your child is discharged, we can use the tools to perform follow-up visits.

In most cases, all that’s required for telehealth is adequate Internet access and a device (such as a computer or smartphone) that includes a webcam, microphone, and audio. For more information on telehealth, call +1-857-218-3269 or email telehealth@childrens.harvard.edu.