In the spring of 1898, a 5-year-old Seattle boy named Willis Clise suffered and eventually died of what was called "inflammatory rheumatism." There was no treatment, and no doctor west of Philadelphia who specialized in childhood ailments. Willis's mother, Anna Clise, embarked on a mission to create an association dedicated to providing surgical and other hospital care to children, regardless of class, race, or ability to pay.
She organized...