Scripps Networks Interactive Donates $10 Million To Children's Hospital

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - April 19, 2016 - PRLog -- Scripps Networks Interactive has donated $10 million to East Tennessee Children's Hospital. This is the largest corporate gift in the hospital's 78 year history.

The announcement was made during a special reception and naming ceremony for Children's Hospital's 245,000 square foot expansion project. The hospital's new building will be named Scripps Networks Tower.

Children's Hospital President and CEO Keith Goodwin thanked Scripps Networks Interactive for the generous gift and explained how it will benefit children in the region. "We currently have an under-sized NICU and surgery suites and no space in which to grow new programs and services," said Goodwin. "This gift and new building will give us the opportunity to build state-of-the-art operating rooms, anticipating emerging technology, as well as providing an even better experience for our patients and families."

Ceremony guests were treated to a visit from HGTV's Listed Sisters, twins Alana and Lex LeBlanc, Nashville-based real-estate and renovation pros. A tour of the construction project was provided after the reception and check presentation.

Key features of the Scripps Networks Tower, which is scheduled for completion this fall, include:

- A new neonatal intensive care unit with 44-private rooms.

- A new inpatient/outpatient-surgery center.

- A family lounge and resource center overlooking a rooftop garden.

- Light-filled pedestrian walkways.

- Two levels of parking.

The new building will also house an expanded state-of-the-art pediatric simulation center to be named in honor of Scripps Networks Interactive. This simulation center will allow healthcare providers to train for emergencies on a variety of child-sized medical mannequins.

"Helping the communities where we live and work be vibrant and safe is central to everything we do," said Ken Lowe, Chairman, President and CEO of Scripps Networks Interactive. "Strong communities have a direct impact on the quality of life for all of us, as well as all for the families who love our brands. East Tennessee Children's Hospital has been instrumental in the well-being of so many families' lives here in our headquarters location of Knoxville, and this new partnership will help secure its success for people across the region."

For more information, please visit https://www.etch.com/about/expansion/