Baptist Health Paducah marks record-setting gift from Kosair for Kids to system's Mother & Baby services
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY (Sept. 19, 2023) – Mother & Baby services at Baptist Health Paducah will benefit from a record-setting $5 million gift from Kosair for Kids to the health system’s Foundation.
Kosair for Kids representatives toured the John and Loree Eckstein neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Tuesday along with hospital and foundation officials to mark the donation.
“This gift will be recognized at our hospitals with our first-ever service line naming, ‘Baptist Health Mother & Baby Care supported by Kosair for Kids,’” said Roy Lowdenback, Baptist Health system vice president, Philanthropy. “We are deeply appreciative of this generous gift to underscore our efforts to provide resources and support for expecting moms from pregnancy through postpartum, as well as children.”
The gift, the largest-ever received by the Baptist Health Foundation, will benefit Mother & Baby services across the health system with equipment purchases and investment in physician-led initiatives that benefit pediatric services.
In addition to support for medical initiatives and equipment, the Kosair for Kids agreement with Baptist Health will include the sharing of important information connected to the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement to end child abuse and neglect. Language added to Mother & Baby Care packets will educate parents and caregivers on dangers and preventative measures to end child abuse and neglect.
“Kosair for Kids is firmly committed to the children we serve, especially the medically fragile children who start life in the NICU,” said Barry Dunn, Kosair for Kids president and CEO. “We have proudly supported Baptist Health for years because we believe that the best care should be available as close to home as possible. Today’s announcement sets in stone our commitment to help the community’s children live life to the fullest.”
“For 100 years, Kosair for Kids has touched the lives of children in all 120 Kentucky counties,” said Kenneth E. Reiss, Kosair for Kids board chair. “This support for Baptist Health allows for us to have an even bigger impact because one out of every four Kentucky babies is born at Baptist Health system hospital and Baptist Health reaches nearly 75% of the Commonwealth’s residents.”
Kosair for Kids, previously known as Kosair Charities, has been a long-time supporter of Baptist Health hospitals in Kentucky and southern Indiana, including Baptist Health Paducah’s 14-bed NICU.
“With the region’s only Level III NICU, Baptist Health Paducah provides excellent care, close to home, for our tiniest patients,” said Kenny Boyd, hospital president. “We appreciate the support of Kosair for Kids, and our Foundation, to continuously improve the patient experience for these little ones and their families.”
Kosair for Kids is marking its 100th anniversary this year, having served some 200,000 children. Earlier this month, sister hospital Baptist Health Hardin renamed its NICU in honor of the Louisville, Kentucky-based charity in recognition of its steadfast support and deep generosity.
In 2021, the hospital completed a $5 million renovation project to the John & Vivian Mother Baby unit to enhance the patient experience all the way from labor and delivery through hospital discharge. The renovations included updated labor and delivery rooms, spacious and home-like post-partum suites, pediatric rooms, nursing stations, a physician’s lounge and two waiting areas.
For more information on how you can partner with Baptist Health Foundation Paducah to impact care, contact the Foundation at 270.575.2871.