A children's hospital is renamed for Dolly Parton and hopes to transform
pediatric care in Tennessee
[February 27, 2026]
By JAMES POLLARD
NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton's name might inspire full-throated
sing-a-longs to her working woman's anthem “9 to 5," or evoke memories
of thrilling days spent at her Dollywood theme park.
Now, the Grammy-winning country music superstar is lending her name to a
new cause: advancing pediatric health care in her home state. The East
Tennessee Children's Hospital announced Thursday that it will now be
known as Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.
“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.”
The impact of Parton's philanthropy is already felt across Tennessee and
beyond. Her Imagination Library initiative reports to send 3 million
free books every month to children whose parents request them. She
donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University's Medical Center for
research that helped produce Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. And her
charitable foundation provides numerous college scholarships and offers
disaster relief.
Dolly Parton Children's Hospital did not share how much Parton donated
as part of the naming announcement. But Matt Schaefer, its president and
CEO, said her support would ensure “every child who walks through our
doors receives the treatment they deserve.”
Adam Cook, the independent not-for-profit hospital's chief development
and public affairs officer, said they would continue offering the same
care that the community has come to expect. The gift “encourages us to
continue to support our mission," he added.
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Dolly Parton speaks to a audience gathered o celebrate the expansion
of the Imagination Library of Kentucky at the Lyric Theatre in
Lexington, Ky., Aug. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
 “This is a generational
collaboration that will transform pediatric care in this region,”
Cook said in a statement to the Associated Press. “It will
positively impact patients and families for decades to come.”
The support comes as rural hospital closures have left tens of
millions of people with fewer health care options.
The East Tennessee Children's Hospital, now named after Parton, has
operated with an “open-door” policy that no child would be denied
care for their race, religion or ability to pay medical bills since
it opened in 1937, according to its website. Its main campus in
Knoxville, Tennessee is one of more than 20 locations across the
eastern part of the state.
Parton said she is honored to support the hospital's doctors, nurses
and team members — and invited the public to join her.
“I can’t do it all myself,” she said in the video.
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