Fifty million dollars! It\u2019s the largest donation in the Little Rock hospital\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
The hefty gift from philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano will help fund a $371 million expansion of facilities and services over the next decade. It also adds Arkansas Children\u2019s to a growing nationwide network of children\u2019s hospitals benefitting from Golisano\u2019s support.<\/p>\n
Golisano founded Paychex in 1971 and made his fortune offering payroll and other business services. He\u2019s made a habit of making enormous monetary gifts, many of them aimed at improving health care.<\/p>\n
In recent years the New York state native has amped up his giving, with a goal of creating a national network of children\u2019s hospitals. He\u2019s been on a tear recently, giving $253 million to children\u2019s hospitals in Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in October. His December gift in Arkansas coincides with a $50 million gift to Wellstar Children\u2019s Hospital in Rome, Georgia.<\/p>\n
A press release about the gift included Golisano\u2019s reason for adding Arkansas Children\u2019s to the network of hospitals he supports.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren\u2019s hospitals are essential to the health and future of our communities, and each one serves families with unique needs and challenges,\u201d said Tom Golisano. \u201cArkansas Children\u2019s has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing pediatric care, expanding access and investing in innovation. I\u2019m proud to support their work and to welcome them into the Golisano Children\u2019s Alliance as we continue building a collaborative network focused on improving outcomes for children nationwide.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With this investment, Arkansas Children\u2019s joins the Golisano Children\u2019s Alliance \u2014 a growing collaborative of 12 children\u2019s hospitals advancing pediatric health care delivery, innovation and access to high-quality care for children and families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for services continues to change and grow \u2014 and we are committed to providing the best care, research and outcomes for the patients we serve,\u201d said Marcy Doderer, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Arkansas Children\u2019s. \u201cMr. Golisano\u2019s extraordinary generosity is an investment in Arkansas Children\u2019s, ensuring access to the best answers medicine can offer. This gift elevates our work as a pediatric health center of excellence, expanding care close to home for the children of America\u2019s heartland.\u201d<\/p>\n