East Tennessee Children's Hospital renamed as Dolly Parton Children's Hospital

Parton announces partnership to support the hospital's mission of providing world-class pediatric care

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The East Tennessee Children's Hospital (ETCH) has been renamed the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital after the country music star announced a partnership to support the hospital's efforts to deliver high-quality healthcare to families in the region. The hospital's president and CEO stated that Parton's support will help 'elevate children's healthcare across East Tennessee and beyond'.

Why it matters

Dolly Parton is a beloved figure in Tennessee and her involvement with the children's hospital is expected to raise the profile of the facility and attract more resources and attention to its mission of providing excellent pediatric care. The renaming also highlights Parton's longstanding commitment to supporting children's health and well-being in her home state.

The details

The East Tennessee Children's Hospital (ETCH) and Parton announced the name change in videos posted on Wednesday and Thursday. Parton expressed her honor in supporting the 'doctors and nurses, and their team members and volunteers, who show up every day with courage and kindness' at the hospital. She added that she felt fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee surrounded by 'love and faith and music', and that she has 'always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful, and surrounded with love'.

  • The name change was announced on February 26, 2026.

The players

Dolly Parton

A renowned country music singer and philanthropist who has a long history of supporting children's causes in her home state of Tennessee.

Matt Schaefer

The president and CEO of the newly renamed Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, who stated that Parton's support will help the facility 'elevate children's healthcare across East Tennessee and beyond'.

East Tennessee Children's Hospital (ETCH)

A children's hospital system with nearly 20 locations in East Tennessee, with its main campus in Knoxville.

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What they’re saying

“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. In addition to expert care, children need hope, they need comfort, and they need to know that they are seen and valued.”

— Dolly Parton (ETCH)

“This is more than a name change. With Dolly's 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.”

— Matt Schaefer, President and CEO, Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (ETCH)

What’s next

The hospital is expected to launch a new website, DollyChildrens.org, to coincide with the name change.

The takeaway

Dolly Parton's involvement with the East Tennessee Children's Hospital is a significant boost for the facility, leveraging the country music icon's popularity and philanthropic spirit to help elevate the hospital's mission of providing world-class pediatric care to families across the region.