Hershey, Pa. -- Long-time Penn State partner The PNC Financial Services Group announced a commitment of $1 million to Penn State Children's Hospital at a news conference at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center today.
The gift will support the construction of the anticipated 160,000-square-foot, freestanding Penn State Children's Hospital. In recognition of this contribution, an area will be designated as the new PNC Child and Family Resource Center. The center will provide a place for the Injury Prevention program to educate children and families about child safety as well as distribute "PNC Grow Up Great" materials.
"This is truly a natural fit for PNC," stated James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer of The PNC Financial Services Group. "Through establishing the PNC Child and Family Resource Center, we add another chapter to a long and rewarding relationship we have built with Penn State and Hershey Medical Center. We also can use this opportunity to expand our support of children and related causes."
"Once again, PNC has generously contributed to the efforts of the medical center to enhance the quality of care we give to our patients," said Darrell Kirch, senior vice president for health affairs; dean of the College of Medicine; and chief executive officer of Penn State Hershey Medical Center. "Without such generous donations, our ability to provide care and education to children and their families would not be possible."
The PNC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The PNC Financial Services Group, has strongly supported the development of education and facilities at Penn State campuses statewide through endowed scholarships and other contributions. PNC has provided support for a range of projects, including the construction of the College of Medicine's Biomedical Research Building. In addition, PNC provided funds for the establishment of Interfaith Chapel, the medical center's nondenominational sanctuary. PNC also has given to The Four Diamonds Fund through corporate donations, individual employee gifts, gifts-in-kind and personal volunteer involvement. The Four Diamonds Fund is committed to raising funds for patients battling cancer at Children's Hospital.
Additionally, many current and former PNC employees are a key part of the University community. Dennis P. Brenckle, president of PNC Bank, Central Pa., has served on the medical center board of directors since its inception and on the board of The Four Diamonds Fund. Ted Junker, retired vice chairman of PNC Bank Corp., serves on the medical center's board of directors and on the Penn State Board of Trustees, as chair of the Leadership Gifts Committee of the National Council on Penn State Philanthropy and as the Penn State Hershey Campaign Committee chair.
The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.
Penn State Children's Hospital, the only children's hospital in central Pennsylvania and the region's only pediatric trauma center, houses 120 beds and treats more than 250,000 patients each year. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) received the highest rating for its care in medical, surgical and trauma patients by the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Evaluations. This ranks the PICU among the top in the country.
Penn State Children's Hospital is the leader in several specialties including neonatal care, pediatric oncology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery and pediatric trauma. For more information on Penn State Children's Hospital, visit http://www.pennstatechildrens.com