Our History

A survey conducted in 1982 found that many out-of-town families of children hospitalized in Wichita hospitals had no where to stay. Many slept in their cars or waiting room chairs. Some chose not to treat their critically ill children because they couldn’t find affordable lodging.

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and Junior League of Wichita, in conjunction with the generosity of McDonald’s owner/operators and other community support, founded the first Wichita Ronald McDonald House near Wesley Medical Center in 1983. The House was called Sleepy Hollow Ronald McDonald House. With the opening of the Midtown Ronald McDonald House in 1985 near Via Christi Hospital – St. Francis, Wichita was able to meet the needs of a lot more families.

Ronald McDonald Family Room, located inside Wesley Medical Center, opened in 1998 after it was determined that along with out-of-town families, local families also needed a place to “get away” while visiting their hospitalized children.

To date, over 55,000 families have been served through our Ronald McDonald House and our Ronald McDonald Family Room.