Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital has been caring for infants, children and adolescents for more than 100 years. We understand children and we understand families. Rainbow's Adoption Health service builds on this expertise by focusing on the special needs of children adopted from abroad.

The Adoption Health Service is composed of a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, directed by Anna M. Mandalakas, MD, specializing in development, behavior, nutrition, infectious disease and international child health. Our team, which has helped more than 700 families from the United States and other countries adopt children from abroad, is willing to take the time needed for you to feel comfortable and confident through every step of the adoption process. Our physicians have first-hand experience working with children from other countries -- in particular, in developing countries and institutional settings - through their regular volunteer work overseas.

Our staff also works closely with physicians in more than 30 major pediatric divisions ranging from cardiology to urology. These specialists from Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked the best children's hospital in the Midwest, can help diagnose, manage and treat the many conditions that may be present when your child arrives home.

The Adoption Health Service is just one service under the umbrella of the Rainbow Center for International Child Health (RCIC). The RCIC is involved in services, education and research to improve the health of children worldwide. It is directed by Karen Olness, MD, who has worked with internationally adopted children since 1974. Dr. Olness, an expert in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, has been involved with children from developing nations for more than 30 years. She also is the adoptive parent of two children, one from abroad.