Largest Donation in Health System History Will Name Medical Center

Connecticut Children’s today announced a historic $50 million philanthropic gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano to name Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

The transformational investment—the single largest in the health system’s history—will expand pediatric access, advance family-centered care, and strengthen Connecticut Children’s ability to bring specialists, technology, research and Child Life services closer to home for every child across the region.

This extraordinary gift from Tom Golisano ensures that children in every corner of our state have access to the highest level of pediatric care,” said Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President & CEO of Connecticut Children’s. “It represents a defining moment for our organization, for our patients, and for Connecticut.”

“Connecticut Children’s has long been a leader in advancing pediatric excellence, and this gift allows us to elevate that mission even further,” said Paulanne Jushkevich, President of Connecticut Children’s Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful for Tom’s confidence in our team and his belief in brighter futures for all children.”

Known nationally as the founder of Paychex, Inc., Tom Golisano has now donated more than $1 billion to organizations supporting healthcare, inclusion, and education, making him one of the most influential and impactful philanthropists in modern history. As the father of a son with intellectual disabilities—and a grandfather and great-grandfather—Golisano has dedicated his philanthropy to ensuring equitable care and dignity for all people.

 

“Children’s health has always been a priority for me, and it’s been deeply rewarding to see how the Golisano Children’s Hospitals are making a profound impact on the communities they serve,” said Mr. Golisano. “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. Also, I plan to continue making similar transformative gifts that will strengthen this new alliance.”

 

The gift also introduces Connecticut Children’s as one of the inaugural members of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a collaborative network of 10 children’s hospitals working together to improve outcomes and share best practices in pediatric care nationwide. The Alliance aims to elevate pediatric care by expanding services, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring that children and families have access to the highest quality medical attention close to home.

 

For more information, visit golisanofoundation.org/alliance.

 

About Tom Golisano

Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses. Mr. Golisano’s vision, perseverance, and action have left an indelible mark on a broad spectrum of issues that touch our lives – in business, healthcare, education, animal welfare, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His investments are advancing entrepreneurship and driving the success of numerous businesses and start-ups. His philanthropic contributions to education, hospitals—including multiple children’s hospitals across the country that bear his name and numerous other organizations—exceeds $1 billion.

A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Tom Golisano applied his pioneering spirit to establish the Golisano Foundation to make the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than $120 million in gross assets, it is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities awarding grants to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Mr. Golisano formed and financially supports the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, where students receive a high quality business certificate and write their own entrepreneurial success stories, without having to take on enormous debt.

He is the author of two Books, “Built Not Born,” a Wall Street Journal best seller and “The Italian Kid Did It.”