Tom Golisano's $40 Million Gift Names Wesley Chapel's New Children's Hospital
WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — The pediatric hospital rising near Interstate 75 and Overpass Road now has a new name attached to a record-setting gift. Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital announced Sept. 12 that it received a $40 million donation from philanthropist Tom Golisano — the largest single gift in the health system's 100-year history.
What the Gift Means
In recognition of the donation, the five-story, 56-bed hospital under construction in Wesley Chapel will carry a new name: Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Golisano Children's Medical Center at Wesley Chapel. The Wesley Chapel campus also becomes part of the Golisano Children's Alliance, a national network that grew to 21 member hospitals with this round of giving.
Golisano, who founded the payroll company Paychex, has spent decades funding children's hospitals nationwide. "No family, no matter where they live or what they can afford, should have to travel far or wonder if their child will get the best care available," Golisano said in a statement.
What's Being Built
The Wesley Chapel campus is part of a more than $300 million investment on a 112-acre property, marking Johns Hopkins All Children's first campus outside St. Petersburg. The hospital is on track to open in fall 2027. Hospital leadership has said the goal is to fund a large share of the campus through philanthropy rather than debt or patient revenue alone, framing Golisano's gift as a down payment meant to accelerate the rest of that fundraising campaign.
Alicia Schulhof, president of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, said the gift reflects confidence in the community itself: "We are grateful to Mr. Golisano for seeing the promise of this investment, the strength of the Wesley Chapel and All Children's communities, and the potential of what we can create together."
Why It Matters for Wesley Chapel
A dedicated children's hospital backed by this level of philanthropic investment means specialized pediatric care will soon be available close to home for Wesley Chapel families, rather than requiring a drive into Tampa or St. Petersburg. With the campus on track for a 2027 opening, this gift also signals strong momentum behind finishing the project without delay.
📍 Near Interstate 75 & Overpass Road, Wesley Chapel, FL 📅 Gift announced: September 12, 2026 | Hospital opening: Fall 2027 🌐 Reporting from Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, PRNewswire and the Wesley Chapel Community Website
