Hartford, CT - [March 11, 2024] Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only health system 100% dedicated to children’s well-being, is thrilled to announce a transformative $1 million donation. This generous commitment, made by the St. Pierre Family, will significantly bolster mental health services and advance cancer care at Connecticut Children’s.
The groundbreaking gift, shared by Tina St. Pierre and her children, reflects a profound commitment to Connecticut Children’s expansion initiatives. After careful consideration and consultation with her family, St. Pierre expressed unwavering support for mental health and the future groundbreaking of Connecticut Children’s brand new Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit, set to open with the new Tower in late Fall 2025.
"The St. Pierre Family is deeply vested in Connecticut Children’s expansion plans," stated Tina St. Pierre, a valued and active member of Connecticut Children’s Corporate Board. "My children played an integral role in selecting mental health and the new Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit as areas deserving of our support. Connecticut Children’s has provided amazing care and support to our family and friends for years, and we wanted to pay it forward allowing other families to benefit from that same special care.”
The recent addition of the Medical Psychiatric Integrated Care Unit stands as a testament to Connecticut Children’s unwavering commitment to innovation. This state-of-the-art facility, opened in January 2024, is the first and only of its kind in the state. Designed to provide comprehensive inpatient care for patients with both medical and mental conditions, the unit embodies a pioneering approach to pediatric healthcare.
Part of the St. Pierre Family's generous contribution has been allocated to outfitting each of the unit's 12 rooms with cutting-edge CoWin Media Walls, developed by the esteemed Dutch technology firm, Recornect. These secure media walls empower young patients to engage in various activities independently, including art and games, fostering a healing environment that prioritizes comfort and well-being.
In the new eight-story tower, currently under construction adjacent to Connecticut Children’s existing medical center in Hartford, the Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit will be a hub of innovation and life-saving treatment. The cellular medicine section will provide services such as bone marrow transplants, while the gene therapy section will offer treatments that, in essence, rewrite a child’s genetic code to eliminate or change a medical condition. The St. Pierre Family Lounge will be a comfortable and welcoming haven where families and visitors to the Unit can relax and connect, while outside of their child’s room.
"Serving the holistic needs of children and families is a guiding principle at Connecticut Children’s. Bringing in therapeutic technology for our patients and thoughtfully created spaces for parents, siblings and support partners exemplifies our deep commitment to family-centered care," said Jim Shmerling, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s. "We are grateful to Tina and her children for recognizing the profound impact of these initiatives and for their selfless generosity in supporting our work to improve the lives of children and creating the finest care experiences imaginable at Connecticut Children’s.”
Connecticut Children’s new tower will include 50 new private NICU rooms, a Fetal Care Center, numerous fresh-air terraces accessible from inpatient floors and a large education and meeting center.
About Connecticut Children’s
Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 40+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family’s wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children’s, you can expect care Beyond Imagination.
For media inquiries, please contact: Monica Buchanan, Sr Dir Enterprise Communications, (352) 219-0860, mbuchanan [at] connecticutchildrens.org.
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Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.