Dolly Parton, with niece Hannah Dennison, visited Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt as a show of support and love for the children undergoing treatment. (photo courtesy Seacrest Studios)
Dolly Parton, the global superstar whose philanthropy helped advance research and patient care at Vanderbilt Health and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, died Aug. 25. She was 80.
A legendary songwriter, singer, actress, author and businesswoman, Parton was equally renowned for her philanthropy. Her support of Vanderbilt Health and Monroe Carell spanned decades and made meaningful impacts on everything from pediatric cancer care to infectious disease research. Parton often recognized members of her family and her longtime friend, Naji Abumrad, MD, Professor Emeritus of Surgery, through gifts supporting Vanderbilt Health’s mission.
‘Critical’ Support During a Global Crisis
“Dolly was a global icon and a friend of Vanderbilt. Her amazing generosity, particularly of pediatric cancer and infectious disease research, has had a transformational impact on patient care and treatment,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dolly has helped save countless lives through her philanthropy.”
Parton’s philanthropy had a profound impact on infectious disease research at Vanderbilt Health at a particularly crucial time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic was at its height in April 2020, Parton donated to establish the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund at Vanderbilt. Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show to announce the gift, she said, “What better time than right now, we need this. I felt like this was the time for me to open my heart and my hand and try to help.”
Vanderbilt Health researchers played a key role in the development and testing of one of the first COVID-19 vaccines, work that brought international attention to Vanderbilt’s vaccine research efforts.
In an interview with The New York Times in November 2020, Vanderbilt researcher Mark Denison, MD, noted that Parton’s donation funded what he called “critical” early stages of the research. “Her money helped us develop the test that we used to first show that the Moderna vaccine was giving people a good immune response that might protect them,” Denison told the newspaper.
When Parton returned to Vanderbilt Health to receive her COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, she helped shine the national spotlight on the research effort she had supported. In a viral moment, she encouraged others to get vaccinated in her memorable and down-to-earth style: “Don’t be such a chicken squat. Get out there and get your shot!”
In 2022, following her transformative gift for Vanderbilt Health’s COVID-19 research and response efforts, Parton expanded her support with an additional $1 million donation to advance pediatric infectious disease research.
“I love all children. No child should ever have to suffer, and I’m willing to do my part to try and keep as many of them as I can as healthy and safe as possible,” Parton said in an announcement of the donation.
Philanthropy to Improve Children’s Lives
Over the years, Parton frequently supported pediatric causes and gave generously to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Her support for children’s health care causes was deeply personal. She made several major gifts in support of pediatric cancer programs at Monroe Carell, including establishing the Hannah Dennison Fund in Pediatric Cancer in honor of her niece. Dennison was successfully treated for leukemia at Vanderbilt, and the care she received left a lasting impression on Parton and her family.
In recognition of the family’s connection to Monroe Carell, Hannah Dennison Butterfly Garden was dedicated in their honor and features butterflies inspired by one of Parton’s most recognizable symbols.
Shining a Light on Vanderbilt Health’s Mission
Parton also used her music and public platform to draw attention to children’s health care causes. In 2017, Parton released her 46th solo studio album and first children’s album, “I Believe in You,” and made an appearance at Seacrest Studios. The album featured a song, “Chemo Hero,” written in honor of her niece.
Earlier this year, to mark her 80th birthday, Parton re-recorded her hit song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” with Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson and Queen Latifah. Proceeds from the song were donated to Monroe Carell’s pediatric cancer research program.
Beyond her philanthropy, Parton used her platform and fame to elevate Vanderbilt Health’s mission and support its employees. She lent her voice to boost initiatives such as Monroe Carell’s Jingle Challenge and the 93rd annual Nashville Christmas Parade, helping to spread messages of hope to patients and families.
She also participated in 2025’s Stand Up To Cancer televised special, which benefited Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. In recognition of Vanderbilt caregivers, she appears in Vanderbilt Health’s “Standing Ovation” mural honoring front-line health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
