Philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Golisano has pledged $50 million to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, marking the largest single philanthropic gift to Penn State Health since 1963. The hospital will be renamed Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital in recognition of this contribution.
The donation is intended to expand the hospital’s role as a multidisciplinary pediatric care hub and enhance its capacity for education, innovation, and research. The gift also connects the hospital with nine other institutions nationwide through the newly formed Golisano Children’s Alliance, a network designed to share resources and improve access to pediatric care.
Golisano, founder of Paychex, Inc., has contributed over $1 billion to educational and healthcare causes across the country. “I am fortunate to be able to help others in this way, and I’m looking forward to seeing what these hospitals can achieve together,” Golisano said. “Also, I plan to continue making similar transformative gifts that will strengthen this new alliance.”
Penn State Health Children’s Hospital serves as a major pediatric facility between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It houses the region’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and Level I pediatric trauma center. The hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Pennsylvania.
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi commented on the significance of the donation: “This historic gift represents a profound investment in children’s health and the future of Penn State’s integrated academic health system. We are incredibly grateful for Mr. Golisano’s support, which builds upon our founding vision and propels us forward in our commitment to improving health outcomes for the people of our commonwealth and beyond through education, research and compassionate care.”
Dr. Michael Kupferman, CEO of Penn State Health, stated: “Tom Golisano’s extraordinary generosity will elevate our ability to care for families across the region. This gift will help catalyze meaningful growth for our system and accelerate our drive toward the highest levels of care, service and discovery – all leading to a healthier future for children across Pennsylvania and beyond.”
Future investments from this donation are expected in areas such as advancing rural health equity, enhancing behavioral health services for youth, strengthening cardiology programs, expanding neonatal intensive care units, training medical professionals specializing in pediatrics, supporting research into new treatments, enriching neuroscience care for children, and integrating outpatient pediatric programs.
Dr. Karen Kim, dean of Penn State College of Medicine said: “This investment reflects an unwavering belief in our mission to transform health through groundbreaking research and education. It empowers us to uncover new cures and nurture the next generation of pediatric specialists to benefit our communities, our region and beyond.”
The gift adds momentum ahead of Penn State’s upcoming fundraising campaign focused on statewide health initiatives.
Dr. Sarah Iriana expressed gratitude on behalf of hospital leadership: “We are deeply grateful for Mr. Golisano’s support. His gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families who rely on our care.”
Penn State Health is an integrated academic health system serving 15 counties in central Pennsylvania with more than 20,300 employees across multiple hospitals including Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Hampden Medical Center; Holy Spirit Medical Center; Lancaster Medical Center; St. Joseph Medical Center; Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute; as well as numerous outpatient practices.
Golisano is also known for his advocacy work through organizations like The Golisano Foundation—one of America’s largest private foundations supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities—and his efforts in business education via The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship.
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