East Tennessee Children’s Hospital announces name change, Dolly Parton as namesake

KNOXVILLE, Tenn — East Tennessee Children’s Hospital will now be known as Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, following an announcement in a February 2026 Town Hall video featuring the hospital’s new namesake. 

Parton appears in the video along with the hospital’s Chief Development and Public Affairs Officer, Adam Cook, and President and CEO Matt Schaefer, to announce the new name, a change that Schaefer said, “is about the future of Children’s Hospital and how we amplify our mission.”

“Now, when the idea first came up about the hospital carrying my name, well, I said yes because I believe in you. I believe in this place and I want to do my part to help. So if putting my name alongside yours helps bring more comfort, more hope, and more healing to children and families, well, that’s exactly where it belongs, ” Parton said in the video. 

The hospital will function under the same mission statement as ETCH: “Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital will improve the health of children through exceptional, comprehensive, family-centered care, wellness and education.”

Parton has long been an advocate for children’s hospitals through donations and support. In January, she released a new rendition of her song, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning,’ to raise money for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. She has also given back to the East Tennessee community over the decades through her Imagination Library program and support for wildfire recovery efforts after the Gatlinburg fires in 2022. 

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has delivered transformative and expert pediatric care for almost 90 years, according to a release from the hospital, and Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital will continue advancing its mission to improve the health and well-being of children through exceptional, comprehensive, family-centered care — deepening its impact of pediatric excellence across the region.

“This is more than a name change,” Schaefer said. “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.”

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs made the following statement in support of the hospital’s name change: 

“Before I was mayor, I served on the hospital’s advisory council and made regular visits to see the children there. My own grandchildren have received care at the hospital, so I have seen the great work that goes on there firsthand. This collaboration with Dolly is transformational for one of the most important institutions in our region. Speaking of Dolly, I cannot imagine what East Tennessee would look like without her and her generosity. As I always say, some superheroes wear sequins.”