Lenor Zeeh (BS ’36 Pharm)

UW Children's Hospital to Become American Family Children's Hospital

Bolstered by an extraordinary $10 million gift from Madison-based American Family Insurance, plans are now well under way to begin construction of a new $55 million, 80-bed University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital. To be named American Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, construction on the six-story, 135,000-foot facility is scheduled to begin in late fall of 2004 with completion anticipated in early 2007. While the new facility will be connected to the west side of the existing UW Hospital and Clinics, the new children’s hospital will have an entirely distinct architectural design built around today’s needs of children and their families.

“We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of this gift from American Family,” said Donna Sollenberger, president and CEO of UW Hospital and Clinics. “Given American Family’s corporate heritage and family-focused mission, we could not find a more fitting donor to partner with us in building not only a greatly needed pediatric health-care facility, but a priceless community and state asset.”

This gift will allow the hospital to combine a “first-class facility” for children with the University’s world-class research facilities and its medical school, Sollenberger said.

“This gift symbolizes our strong commitment to good corporate citizenship,” said Harvey Pierce, American Family chairman and chief executive officer. “Our company was founded in Madison and over the past 75 years has experienced incredible growth and success. Our philanthropic focus has long been families and children, and this gift will provide critical assistance to families and children for a very long time.”