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Devoschildrens, Instagram
In a monumental stride towards bolstering children’s healthcare, the DeVos Family Foundation has pledged a staggering $50 million to catalyze transformative projects across several renowned healthcare institutions. This substantial investment is set to fortify Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed, and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, amplifying their capabilities to serve the community, whether living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit.
Led by the collaborative efforts of the second and third generations of the DeVos family, including luminaries like Dick and Betsy DeVos, Daniel and Pamella DeVos, Doug and Maria DeVos, and Cheri DeVos Ehmann and Steve Ehmann, the foundation’s generosity promises to elevate pediatric healthcare to unprecedented heights.
The lion’s share of this generous endowment, totaling $40 million, is earmarked for the expansion and enhancement of services at the children’s hospital. Among the transformative initiatives, a pivotal endeavor involves augmenting the pediatric intensive care unit from 30 beds to 44, addressing critical bed shortages and ensuring optimal care for young patients. Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, President of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, underscored the urgency of this expansion, emphasizing the imperative to alleviate overcrowding and enhance specialized care provisions.
Moreover, a significant portion of the donation will underwrite a state-of-the-art 12-bed pediatric medical psychiatric unit, heralding a pioneering approach to integrated healthcare delivery. This innovative unit, staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts, will cater to the complex needs of children grappling with both medical and behavioral health challenges, offering comprehensive care under one roof.
Additionally, the endowment will facilitate the establishment of a vital breast milk donation and distribution station, a lifeline for infants in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center. By bolstering the availability of this life-saving resource, the initiative aims to bolster neonatal care and promote infant health outcomes.
Furthermore, the DeVos Family Foundation’s philanthropy extends beyond the children’s hospital, with $5 million allocated to Mary Free Bed to support the construction of the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. This pioneering facility, slated to open its doors in 2026, will cater to the unique rehabilitative needs of children, empowering them to achieve their fullest potential.
Lastly, the foundation’s benevolence extends to Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, with a $5 million contribution slated for the establishment of the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. This visionary project, encompassing a two-story expansion, promises to revolutionize pediatric mental healthcare in Michigan, offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to children and adolescents in need, benefitting those living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit.
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Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Mark Eastburg, President and CEO of Pine Rest, hailed the foundation’s contribution as a game-changer, underscoring its transformative impact on pediatric mental healthcare. While the road ahead may require additional support, the DeVos Family Foundation’s landmark donation stands as a beacon of hope, igniting progress and innovation in the realm of children’s healthcare.
With the $5 million donation to Pine Rest, the project is part of a $98 million effort which includes the cost of building the facility as well as workforce development and clinical programming. It is expected to open in 2026. A news release for the project says it will “dramatically expand access to inpatient and partial hospitalization, outpatient care, and behavioral health testing services for children and teens throughout the state.”
Mary Free Bed is using a $5 million donation from the DeVos Family Foundation to help fund the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. The three-story, 24-bed children’s rehabilitation hospital will be built across the street from Mary Free Bed’s main campus on Wealthy Street SE and is expected to open in 2026. It’s expected to serve 2,000 to 2,500 additional children each year and increase capacity for outpatient visits by 20%.
“With the DeVos Family’s support, we’re fulfilling a big-hearted promise to our youngest patients and their families,” Mary Free Bed President and CEO Kent Riddle said in a statement. “This gift will help bring to life Michigan’s first, freestanding children’s rehabilitation hospital — an extraordinary step in giving every child the opportunity to reach their greatest potential.”
With the $5 million donation, total funds raised for the hospital total $49 million, said Mary Free Bed spokesperson Chris Mills. In addition to private donations, Mary Free Bed has received $15 million from the state for the project, as well as $3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, providing essential support for those living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit.