Arkansas Children's Hospital Receives Unprecedented $50 Million Donation from Philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano

Arkansas Children's Hospital Receives Unprecedented $50 Million Donation

In a groundbreaking move for pediatric healthcare, Arkansas Children's Hospital has announced a remarkable $50 million donation from philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano. This significant contribution stands as the largest single philanthropic gift in the hospital's history, aimed at bolstering its efforts to meet the expanding health needs of children across the region.

This generous investment supports Arkansas Children’s strategic priorities, particularly in the wake of their extensive $371 million expansion plan designed over the next decade. The initiative aims to enhance program development, recruit essential workforce members, and upgrade existing facilities to better support the health system's mission.

Golisano, renowned as the founder of Paychex, Inc., which is the leading provider of human resources solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, has long been a champion for children's health. His foundation is among the largest in the U.S. focused on aiding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as promoting child health initiatives.

With this investment, the Little Rock campus of Arkansas Children's Hospital will be designated as the Arkansas Children's Golisano Campus, cementing Golisano's legacy within the healthcare community. “Children's hospitals are vital to the well-being and future of our communities,” Golisano stated, emphasizing the role of such institutions in providing tailored health services to families.

Arkansas Children’s commitment to pediatric care is reflected in its membership with the Golisano Children's Alliance, an innovative collaborative of twelve children's hospitals aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare for children. This network facilitates shared resources, knowledge, and approaches to tackle the evolving healthcare landscape faced by children nationwide.

Marcy Doderer, the hospital's president and CEO, expressed gratitude for Golisano's generosity, labeling it a pivotal investment in the hospital’s ongoing mission to provide cutting-edge pediatric care. “We are dedicated to ensuring every child receives the best possible care and support,” she emphasized. Mr. Golisano’s unprecedented contribution will thus directly facilitate the hospital’s capacity to serve the growing child health needs in Arkansas.

Arkansas Children's Hospital, an independently governed pediatric health system and a recognized authority in specialized child healthcare, operates in a landscape where less than one percent of hospitals in the U.S. offer such focused services. By thriving as a community anchor for pediatric care, they prioritize innovative research, education, and the implementation of state-of-the-art treatments.

Amid other key contributions to this expansion, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin recently pledged $55 million from opioid and vaping settlement funds. This funding is earmarked for the creation of the National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Effectiveness, a vital project aimed at addressing the effects of substance abuse on children, with construction expected to finish in early 2027.

In addition, the Willard Pat Walker Charitable Foundation made a $25 million contribution towards enhancing child health services in northwest Arkansas, leading to the establishment of the Pat Walker Campus.

These groundbreaking financial commitments underscore a community-wide confidence in Arkansas Children's mission and the critical importance of philanthropy in advancing comprehensive, effective care for children. According to Fred Scarborough, executive vice president and chief development officer for Arkansas Children’s, “Every dollar raised is vital; philanthropy serves a crucial role in ensuring we meet the growing needs of children today and into the future.”

The overall objective of this historic alliance of support is to revolutionize child health services across the region, ensuring that families have access to the highest quality of medical care, close to home. For more information about this transformative gift, visit archildrens.org/Golisano.

About Tom Golisano

Tom Golisano is a distinguished entrepreneur and advocate, renowned not only as the founder of Paychex, Inc. but also for his substantial contributions to philanthropic efforts exceeding $1 billion. His work spans various sectors, including healthcare, education, and animal welfare. The Golisano Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reflects his commitment to social responsibility and community welfare.

About Arkansas Children's Hospital

Arkansas Children’s is the premier pediatric health system in the state dedicated solely to the health of over 850,000 children. The organization operates two hospital campuses in Little Rock and Springdale, providing comprehensive care alongside pioneering research, ensuring that families have access to essential pediatric services and specialized attention.