{"id":7045,"date":"2026-03-02T14:07:23","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T19:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/?p=7045"},"modified":"2026-03-02T14:07:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T19:07:23","slug":"dolly-parton-so-excited-after-east-tennessee-childrens-hospital-changes-name-in-her-honor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/dailycupofwellness\/2026\/03\/dolly-parton-so-excited-after-east-tennessee-childrens-hospital-changes-name-in-her-honor.html","title":{"rendered":"Dolly Parton ‘so excited’ After East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital Changes Name in Her Honor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jaguar PS \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital in Knoxville announced it would be changing its name to Dolly Parton Children\u2019s Hospital. Parton has spent decades giving back through philanthropic efforts, particularly in her home state of Tennessee where she spent her childhood in the eastern Tennessee mountains. Her philanthropy has particularly focused on children, with her Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library sending hundreds of thousands of free books to children across the country. She shared a video message to make the announcement saying, \u201cI’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.\u201d Touting the hospital\u2019s \u201cnearly 90 years\u201d of service toward children and their families, she applauded the hospital for treating children \u201cnot just as patients, but as precious lives.\u201d \u00a0\u201cI am so excited to share, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is becoming … guess what? Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. Yay!” she gushed.<\/p>\n

East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital announced the change with equal enthusiasm. \u201cEast Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital is proud to share we are becoming Dolly Parton Children\u2019s Hospital. Inspired by Dolly\u2019s commitment to children, this transformation represents more than a name change, it\u2019s a promise. A promise to bring hope, healing and world-class care to patients and families across our region,\u201d the hospital stated. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re building a future where every child has the chance to grow, thrive and feel the comfort of compassionate care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is more than a name change,\u201d Matt Schaefer, president and CEO of the now-named Dolly Parton Children\u2019s Hospital, told PEOPLE<\/em><\/a>. \u201cWith Dolly\u2019s support, we are strengthening our mission to deliver world-class pediatric care to families, ensuring every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve.\u201d\u00a0Parton\u2019s financial contribution to the hospital remains undisclosed but the hospital shared her generosity would help numerous children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a generational collaboration that will transform pediatric care in this region. It will positively impact patients and families for decades to come,\u201d said Adam Cook<\/a>, the independent not-for-profit hospital\u2019s chief development and public affairs officer. \u201cThis is a generational collaboration that will transform pediatric care in this region. It will positively impact patients and families for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital in Knoxville announced it would be changing its name to Dolly Parton Children\u2019s Hospital. Parton has spent decades giving back through philanthropic efforts, particularly in her home state of Tennessee where she spent her childhood in the eastern Tennessee mountains. Her philanthropy has particularly focused on children, with her Dolly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":7048,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nDolly Parton 'so excited' After East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital Changes Name in Her Honor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"East Tennessee Children\u2019s Hospital renamed for Dolly Parton, honoring her lifelong commitment to children\u2019s health and care in her home state.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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