SYRACUSE — Rochester businessman Thomas Golisano provided the $6 million naming gift for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital before it opened in September 2009. Now, 15 years later, the hospital is again benefiting from his philanthropic activity with the announcement of a $10 million award. “We’re grateful to Tom Golisano and his caring heart and generosity […]
SYRACUSE — Rochester businessman Thomas Golisano provided the $6 million naming gift for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital before it opened in September 2009. Now, 15 years later, the hospital is again benefiting from his philanthropic activity with the announcement of a $10 million award. “We’re grateful to Tom Golisano and his caring heart and generosity that has helped Upstate improve the lives of many children through our facilities and services that bear his name,” Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, said in a Sept. 19 statement from Upstate Medical University. “He has helped us transform medical care for children through this region and elsewhere. How fitting that this latest gift from Tom comes as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the opening of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. On behalf of the children, their parents and our staff, thank you.” The Syracuse facility is among 82 upstate nonprofit organizations that Golisano named as recipients of a total of $360 million in funding. Golisano announced the funding awards on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in Rochester. Dr. Gregory Conners, executive director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, described the $10 million donation as “magical” for what it means for the hospital’s future. “Tom has been with us every step of the way in our journey to provide the best care for our kids,” Conners, who also serves chair of pediatrics, said in the health system’s statement. “The Golisano name is synonymous with great pediatric care, and I cannot thank him enough for his support.” Golisano — entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader — is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human-resource company for small to medium-sized businesses, providing human-capital management services for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 745,000 clients in the U.S. and Europe. Eileen Pezzi, VP for development at Upstate, added her appreciation. “Tom’s beneficence is boundless,” Pezzi said in the Upstate announcement. “His yearslong investment in Upstate and the children of Central New York speaks volumes about his commitment to this region and its people. Tom cannot help but think big, as he wants to help so many. Thank you, Tom, for thinking big.” Pezzi attended Golisano’s announcement in Rochester Sept. 17 with Upstate Foundation board chair Rita Reicher. Besides the $10 million for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, the funding awards also included $5 million for the Hillside Family of Agencies; $5 million for Mercy Flight Central; $5 million for Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties); and $5 million for Springbrook of Oneonta, per the Sept. 17 announcement. In addition, he awarded $52 million to the Golisano Foundation, which serves the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York regions and Southwest Florida The “unrestricted,” multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning health care, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs.