A hospital in Tennessee is partnering with Dolly Parton in a special way.
The country legend revealed exclusively to TODAY that East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville has been renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
The 80-year-old shared the news Feb. 26 in a video message, in which she emphasized how her childhood in the mountains of East Tennessee inspired her to believe in “love, faith, music and taking care of one another.”
“I learned these lessons early and they’ve stayed with me, and ever since I’ve been in a position to do my part and to help others, I have tried to do just that, especially when children and families need it most,” she said.
The former East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit pediatric health care system serving the East Tennessee region, has been providing care for nine decades, according to a press release. It will continue its mission to look after the wellbeing of children and their families as the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
In her message, Parton said 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 people at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care. They see children not just as patients but as precious little lives, each with a story and a future,” she said.
Parton appeared in her taped message alongside the hospital’s president and CEO, Matt Schaefer, who expressed his excitement for their collaboration.
“It’s amazing how aligned you are with our mission to take care of each child that walks through our doors like one of our own,” he said.
While reflecting on the hospital’s name change, Parton said she was honored to support the team at the medical facility.
“In addition to expert care, children need hope and they need comfort and they need to know that they are seen and valued,” she said.
