East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Renamed in Dolly Parton’s Honor: ‘Every Child Deserves Care’
The 'Jolene' singer continues her decades-long mission of hope, care and giving
When it comes to philanthropy, few celebrities shine as brightly as Dolly Parton. Now 80, the legendary singer-songwriter—known for timeless hits like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5”—has spent decades using her fame to make a real difference. One of her most impactful initiatives, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has distributed over 200 million free books to children worldwide, helping foster early literacy from birth through kindergarten.
Beyond books, Parton has donated millions to disaster relief, COVID-19 research, and local community programs, proving her commitment to improving lives is as enduring as her music career.
In a landmark recognition of her lifelong dedication to helping children and families, the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has officially been renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. This historic step honors Parton’s decades of generosity and her tireless advocacy for healthcare and children in need. Keep reading for all the feel-good details of how Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital continues her mission of giving back, ensuring children in the region receive exceptional care supported by the legacy of one of America’s most beloved philanthropists.
Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital honors the singer’s dedication to others
Dolly Parton’s East Tennessee upbringing shaped not only her music but also her heart for giving, so it’s no surprise that Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital is the next step in her mission to help those in need.
“Being fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee, I learned early on what it means to take care of one another,” said Dolly Parton in a statement. “Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love. I’m so honored to stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort and more healing to children and families.”
In a video shared by the hospital announcing its new name, Dolly got candid. “Ever since I’ve been in a position to do my part to help others, I have tried to do just that, especially when children and families need it most. I’ve always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love. Now, that belief is what brought me together with the incredible folks 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 lives, each with a story and a future, and I am so honored to support these doctors and nurses and their team members and volunteers who show up every day with courage and kindness.”
She is bouncing back after health struggles
Over the last few months, fans have been worried about Dolly as she revealed she was dealing with a few health issues. These issues have left her having to cancel some of her public appearances and postpone her Las Vegas residency, but back in October, she took to Instagram to reassure fans she was doing okay and just needed to remain close to home to get her health back in order and complete some treatments.
In spite of her health struggles, the musician has stayed busy with new projects. One of her latest endeavors pairs her with singer Belles on a song called “Son of Jolene,” something of a sequel to Dolly Parton’s original track that tells the story of a girl who has fallen for Jolene’s son—and he’s equally as troublesome as his mother. “When I heard ‘Son of Jolene,’ I thought it was very clever. No one had ever thought of it that way,” Parton told People. The duet will be released on April 17.
From her Imagination Library to her generous donations and now this incredible honor, Dolly Parton continues to prove that kindness and compassion can change the world—one child, one family, one community at a time. Her legacy of love will live on through the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, bringing hope and healing to countless families for generations to come.
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