Dolly Parton’s ‘Generational’ Gift Transforms Children’s Hospital

Dolly Parton Makes Generous Donation To East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

In February, the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville announced it would change its name. It would henceforth be known as the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, after the country music icon donated undisclosed amounts to the institution to partner in their mission of helping and healing children. Parton said in a press release:

“Being fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee, I learned early on what it means to take care of one another. Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love. I’m so honored to stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort, and more healing to children and families.”

First opened in 1937, the not-for-profit hospital’s mission is to “deliver world-class pediatric care to families, ensuring every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve.”

Hospital CEO Reacts To Dolly Parton’s Contribution, Explains The Impact

In a recent interview with Chief Healthcare Executive, President and CEO of the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Matt Schaefer, reflected on meeting Dolly Parton, calling it a “surreal moment.” Her funding will go to expand the hospital’s roster of doctors, invest in new programs and technology, and increase fundraising.

Schaefer explained that having the support of such an influential figure is “humbling” and “affirming.”

“I think anytime you have someone of her stature, someone of her standing, certainly in this region, across the United States, across the world, honestly, and to have the halo effect of everything she stood for in her life, including her love for children in particular, it just is fantastic for the future of our mission.”

The hospital has remained tight-lipped about the total amount of Dolly Parton’s contributions, and Schaefer declined to share the figure.

“What I can tell you is that she has made a generational and transformational commitment to Children’s and its mission, and that commitment is something that goes beyond our wildest expectations, that is beyond generous, and will be a lifeline for this mission for now and for years to come.”

The partnership will allow the institution to “tell a broader story about the depth and breadth of services here, to imagine how we can continue to expand those services, and it accelerates how we should think about what our responsibility is to the patients and families that trust us today and invariably will trust us tomorrow.”

Schaefer admits that Parton’s prestige comes with “appropriate expectations,” and they are honored to live up to them through service, compassion, and excellence. Learn more about the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital here.