Lexington, Kentucky, October 29, 2025
Tom Golisano, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from New York, has donated $50 million to the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital, making it the largest gift in UK HealthCare’s history. This donation will result in the hospital being renamed to Golisano Children’s at UK and will significantly enhance pediatric healthcare, advance research, and expand healthcare education for children across Kentucky.
Lexington, Kentucky
Tom Golisano, a New York entrepreneur and philanthropist, has donated $50 million to the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Children’s Hospital, marking the largest gift in UK HealthCare’s history and the second-largest to the university. This significant act of generosity will result in the hospital’s renaming to Golisano Children’s at UK, as it aligns with the newly formed Golisano Children’s Alliance, a network of pediatric hospitals across the nation.
Details of the Donation
The monumental $50 million gift from Tom Golisano represents a major commitment to enhancing healthcare for Kentucky’s youth. The funds will support the University of Kentucky’s mission to improve the health of children by ensuring access to advanced care, encouraging vital research into pediatric health challenges, and expanding educational opportunities for healthcare professionals in the region. This donation will not only enhance the facilities of the hospital but will also promote the development of affiliate networks and programs across the state.
Formation of the Golisano Children’s Alliance
In addition to the University of Kentucky, this donation plays a pivotal role in a broader $253 million commitment by Golisano to six schools, including WVU Medicine Children’s. This initiative marks the establishment of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, designed to unite these hospitals to share resources while enhancing pediatric care access. The alliance aims to provide strengthened healthcare services for children, ensuring improved health outcomes in the immediate future and beyond.
Background on Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano is notably the founder of Paychex Inc., recognized as the nation’s largest human resource company serving small to medium-sized enterprises. His philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the healthcare sector, exceed $1 billion, with contributions leading to the establishment of multiple children’s hospitals nationwide. Furthermore, he founded the Golisano Foundation in 1985 to support initiatives for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, positioning it as one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. focused on these causes.
Impact on Kentucky Children’s Hospital
Since its inception in 1997, Kentucky Children’s Hospital has robustly served the pediatric community, currently operating with over 210 beds and specialized units in various pediatric health areas. The hospital aims to expand its reach, having recently opened facilities on Richmond Road in 2023 and establishing a statewide affiliate network. This network is designed to connect community hospitals and ensure that children across Kentucky have timely access to expert pediatric care and resources.
Renaming of Kentucky Children’s Hospital
In recognition of this transformational contribution, the UK Board of Trustees will convene to officially approve the renaming of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Moving forward, the facility will be known as Golisano Children’s at UK, alongside the Richmond Road site receiving the designation Golisano Children’s at UK – Richmond Road. The affiliate network will similarly be recognized as the Golisano Children’s at UK – Affiliate Network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Tom Golisano?
Tom Golisano is the founder of Paychex Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses. His philanthropic contributions to education and hospitals, including multiple children’s hospitals across the country that bear his name, exceed $1 billion. In 1985, he established the Golisano Foundation to support programs 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 United States devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, awarding grants to nonprofit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
What is the Golisano Children’s Alliance?
The Golisano Children’s Alliance is a network of pediatric hospitals across the nation, established with a $253 million commitment from Tom Golisano. The alliance aims to unite these hospitals to share resources and expand access to crucial pediatric care, strengthening children’s healthcare for years to come.
How will the $50 million donation impact Kentucky Children’s Hospital?
The $50 million donation will support the University of Kentucky’s mission to improve the health of Kentucky’s children through access to advanced care, enhancing research to address significant challenges, and expanding educational opportunities to provide essential healthcare professionals in the state and beyond. The funds will not only improve the hospital itself but will also be used to grow and cultivate the affiliate network and other programs across the state.
What is the significance of renaming Kentucky Children’s Hospital?
Renaming Kentucky Children’s Hospital to Golisano Children’s at UK honors Tom Golisano’s transformative gift and aligns the hospital with the Golisano Children’s Alliance. This renaming reflects the hospital’s commitment to excellence, dignity, and innovation in pediatric healthcare, and strengthens its connection with the national network of children’s hospitals.
What other hospitals are part of the Golisano Children’s Alliance?
The Golisano Children’s Alliance includes six newly funded hospitals: Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut; Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania; University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky; University of Maryland Children’s Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland; WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown, West Virginia; and Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, New York. These hospitals join four existing Golisano-supported hospitals in New York and Florida to form the alliance.
Key Features of the Donation and Renaming
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Donor | Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex Inc. and philanthropist |
| Donation Amount | $50 million |
| Hospital Renaming | Kentucky Children’s Hospital to Golisano Children’s at UK |
| Alliance Formation | Golisano Children’s Alliance, a network of pediatric hospitals |
| Number of Hospitals in Alliance | 10 (6 new and 4 existing) |
| Purpose of Donation | Enhance pediatric healthcare, research, and education in Kentucky |
Now Happening on X
- @universityofky (October 28, 2025): Historic $50M gift from philanthropist Tom Golisano to UK HealthCare supports Kentucky kids and transforms pediatric care; the hospital will now be named Golisano Children’s at UK. View on X
- @LEX18News (October 28, 2025): New York philanthropist Tom Golisano announces $50 million gift to University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, marking a major boost for local healthcare. View on X
- @UK_Philanthropy (October 28, 2025): Celebrating a $50M gift from Tom Golisano to UK and UK HealthCare, the largest for UK HealthCare and second-largest for UK, aimed at transforming pediatric care in Kentucky. View on X
- @profkakie (October 28, 2025): Tom Golisano’s $50 million gift to UK HealthCare will support Kentucky children and enhance regional pediatric services. View on X
- @DandC (October 28, 2025): Tom Golisano announces $253M donation to six children’s hospitals, including University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington, KY. View on X
- @RBJdaily (October 28, 2025): Golisano’s lifetime philanthropy tops $1B with the creation of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, featuring the donation to UK in Lexington. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
