East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn., will be renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital following a rebrand announced Feb. 26, a move its CEO said reflects long-standing alignment between the entertainer’s legacy and the organization’s mission.
The hospital has existed for nearly 90 years. During that time, it has grown into an organization that serves the region, the state and beyond, Matt Schaefer, president and CEO of Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, told Becker’s.
“We’ve always sought to do so with a truly caring heart, to bring about healing where there’s illness and keep children healthy where they are already healthy,” Mr. Schaefer said. “That’s part of our mission.”
That mission, he said, mirrors Ms. Parton’s commitment to the region.
“She brings many of those same qualities, true care and genuine love for this community, for the people and for this region, and wanting children to have a happier and healthier future where they can imagine what life can look like,” he said. “That’s part of what her legacy has been and how this union has come about.”
Mr. Schaefer said the decision to put Ms. Parton’s name on the hospital, rather than align on a campaign, came down to that shared mindset.
“Ask individuals around the country, certainly in this area and really across the world, what describes Dolly,” he said. “They talk about a singer-songwriter. They talk about a philanthropist. There’s a recurring phrase that comes up about simply love, love for human beings, love for people. You take that and combine it with a mission centered on caring for the most vulnerable in our community and region, and that union of those two things and the like-mindedness associated with it just makes sense.”
While the hospital carries a nearly 90-year history, Mr. Schaefer said the rebrand builds on rather than replaces that identity.
“Part of children’s identity is reaching for the aspirational, imagining a brighter future than what we have been able to exist in the past,” he said. “This is just a continuation of that. It is a transformational moment for Children’s Hospital, but that DNA of always wanting to aspire, to do more, to serve more, to provide ever-reaching, cutting-edge care to the children of this community is just a way to amplify that DNA.”
The partnership also gives the organization a broader platform to share its reach across East Tennessee, he said.
“This moment provides us an opportunity like we’ve never had to share that story, to talk about world-class care here in East Tennessee,” Mr. Schaefer said.
The hospital provides more than 35 pediatric specialties, sees more than 500,000 patient encounters annually and operates more than 20 locations across the region.
Looking ahead, Mr. Schaefer framed the partnership as a long-term commitment.
“This is a representation of individuals who show up at work here every day, 2,200 individuals who are exclusively caring for children,” he said. “We have world-class care meeting caring hearts, and that’s what we’re about.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.