A $1.5 million endowed gift awarded to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has created the John A. and Linda Mellowes Family Chair in Intensive Care, which will back services for children in need of critical care.
Children’s Hospital received the gift from longtime supporters John and Linda Mellowes, whose interest in donating to the hospital stems from their personal experience through the neonatal intensive care unit, the hospital said.
“For many years, the Mellowes have been passionate advocates for Children’s Hospital and the kids we serve,” said Peggy Troy, CEO of Children’s Hospital, in an announcement. “In light of the time, talent and support they have already committed, this gift is an extraordinary gesture and will help us provide the best and safest care to critically ill babies and children for years to come. I am deeply grateful to them.”
Dr. Michael Uhing, medical director of Children’s Hospital’s NICU and professor of neonatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, has been named the first chairholder.
The Mellowes’ gift coincides with the expansion and remodeling of the hospital’s NICU. Phase one of the project was revealed on Nov. 18. The facility is expected to be completed in 2016 with 70 private rooms featuring cutting-edge technologies for families with newborns. The private room approach reinforces studies that have shown that private NICU rooms “lead to better outcomes for infants,” according to Children’s Hospital.
In recent years, Children’s Hospital’s NICU has drawn national attention. Along with being highlighted in a 2014 cover story of TIME Magazine, the hospital’s preemie and newborn care was ranked first in the country by Parents magazine’s 2013 Best Children’s Hospitals survey. Additionally, the hospital’s preemie and newborn care was listed among the country’s best in U.S. News and World Report’s 2014-15 Best Children’s Hospital report.
