A children’s hospital is renamed for Dolly Parton and hopes to transform pediatric care in Tennessee

Country music icon Dolly Parton has added another significant contribution to her long history of philanthropy, partnering with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, which will now bear her name. The hospital announced Thursday that it will officially be known as Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, marking a major development in pediatric healthcare for the region.

“Ever since I’ve been in a position to do my part, to help others, I have tried to do just that. Especially when children and families need it most,” Parton said in a video announcement. “I’ve always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love.”

While the specific financial details of Parton’s donation remain undisclosed, hospital leadership emphasized the transformative impact of her support. Matt Schaefer, president and CEO of the hospital, stated that her contribution would ensure “every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve.”

This partnership comes at a critical time for healthcare in rural America, where hospital closures have left many communities with diminishing access to medical services. According to healthcare experts, rural hospital closures have affected tens of millions of Americans in recent years, making sustained support for remaining facilities increasingly vital.

The newly named Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital has a storied history in the region. Since opening its doors in 1937, the institution has maintained an “open-door” policy, ensuring no child would be denied care based on race, religion, or ability to pay. Today, the hospital’s main campus in Knoxville serves as the hub for more than 20 locations throughout eastern Tennessee, providing essential pediatric care to a widespread rural population.

Adam Cook, the hospital’s chief development and public affairs officer, reassured the community that the facility would continue providing the same quality care patients have come to expect. “This is a generational collaboration that will transform pediatric care in this region,” Cook noted in a statement to the Associated Press. “It will positively impact patients and families for decades to come.”

Parton’s healthcare philanthropy isn’t without precedent. In 2020, she made headlines by donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support research that contributed to the development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. This timely contribution helped accelerate vaccine research during a critical phase of the pandemic.

Beyond healthcare, Parton’s philanthropic footprint spans multiple sectors. Her Imagination Library initiative has become one of the world’s most successful literacy programs, reportedly distributing 3 million free books monthly to children whose parents request them. The program, which began in her home county in Tennessee, has expanded internationally, fostering early childhood literacy across multiple countries.

Her charitable foundation has also provided numerous college scholarships and offered disaster relief to communities in need, further cementing her reputation as one of America’s most generous celebrities.

In her video announcement, Parton acknowledged that addressing healthcare challenges requires collaborative effort, inviting the public to join her in supporting the hospital’s mission. “I can’t do it all myself,” she said, encouraging broader community involvement.

The partnership between Parton and the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital represents a significant investment in the region’s future, potentially improving healthcare outcomes for generations of children. Healthcare advocates note that celebrity partnerships like this one can bring crucial attention and resources to pediatric medicine, particularly in underserved areas.

As rural healthcare facilities continue to face financial pressures nationwide, this collaboration may serve as a model for how philanthropy, community support, and institutional expertise can combine to preserve and enhance essential medical services for vulnerable populations.