Dolly Parton Makes 'Generational and Transformational' Donation to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Named After Her

Ilana KaplanWed, April 1, 2026 at 3:44 PM UTC

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Dolly Parton in 2022Credit: Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty -

East Tennessee Children's Hospital, which has been named after Dolly Parton, is praising her contributions to the institution

According to East Tennessee Children's Hospital, the country legend donated "generational and transformational" amounts of money to the infirmary

In February, Parton announced that the healthcare center was being renamed to Dolly Parton Children's Hospital

Dolly Parton is being praised for her generous contributions to East Tennessee Children's hospital, which is now named after her.

Following news that the health center would be renamed in honor of the country legend as Dolly Parton's Children's Hospital, its president and chief executive officer Matt Schaefer opened up about the "surreal moment" of receiving the "Jolene" hitmaker's donation.

In the interview with Chief Healthcare Executive on Monday, March 30, Schaefer praised Parton's “incredibly disarming personality."

“It was truly humbling, and to hear her, in her own words, talk about the importance of this to her, to her community, to this organization, and to children, was super affirming," he said of meeting Parton, 80.

Dolly Parton's Children's HospitalCredit: Dolly Parton Children's Hospital

Schaefer spoke about how, with the "9 to 5" artist's donation, he hoped to expand the hospital's roster of doctors, invest in new programs and technology and increase fundraising.

“I think anytime you have someone of her stature, someone of her standing, certainly in this region, across the United States, across the world, honestly, and to have the halo effect of everything she stood for in her life, including her love for children in particular, it just is fantastic for the future of our mission," he said of Parton.

While Schaefer played coy when it came to revealing the amount Parton donated, he said the sum was “generational and transformational."

“What I can tell you is that she has made a generational and transformational commitment to Children’s and its mission, and that commitment is something that goes beyond our wildest expectations, that is beyond generous, and will be a lifeline for this mission for now and for years to come," he said.

Dolly Parton in March 2025 in NashvilleCredit: Jason Kempin/Getty

Schaefer added, "And we’re excited about and humbled by her willingness to do so.”

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He noted that having the hospital renamed after her will "allow them to tell a broader story about the depth and breadth of services here, to imagine how we can continue to expand those services, and it accelerates how we should think about what our responsibility is to the patients and families that trust us today and invariably will trust us tomorrow.”

The partnership with Parton will "amplify and accelerate some of those initiatives in a way that we could not have done otherwise without that type of support and backing and awareness across the region, for providers, for clinicians, for patients, for families and for referring providers," added Schaefer.

In February, Parton shared an Instagram Reel announcing that the East Tennessee Children's Hospital has officially been renamed the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.

In a video message and collaborative post with the Today show and the official hospital page, she said, "I've always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love. That belief is what brought me together with the incredible folks at East Tennessee Children's Hospital."

Parton continued, "For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care. They see children not just as patients, but as precious lives. Each with a story, and a future. I am so excited to share, East Tennessee Children's Hospital is becoming ... guess what? Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Yay!"

"Together, we're committed to strengthening our relationship where world class care and a caring heart go hand in hand for children across East Tennessee and beyond. And I hope that you'll join me in supporting this work," she said.

Parton concluded by telling fans that she will need the public's help.

"I can't do it all myself! I'm going to need you. So when we come together for our children, there's no limit to what we can do. To learn more or to get involved, visit DollyChildrens.org," she said.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”