CMA pledges $3 million to boost Children’s expansion

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is receiving significant philanthropic support through a $3 million gift from the Country Music Association (CMA). Vanderbilt University Medical Center leaders, event host Kix Brooks and special guest Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum announced the gift in October.

“Country music is a format known for telling stories. Now the country music community will be known for building them,” said country music artist Brooks, who serves on the boards of both CMA and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. “Building floors means helping more children and families—locally, regionally and around the world—and I can’t imagine anyone with a heart not embracing what is going on at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. When you see the courage of a child, or the face of a parent, you know how important it is for our industry to support the ongoing growth of Children’s Hospital and why it is life-changing.”

CMA’s gift represents the association’s further investment in the health and well-being of children throughout the region and will be used to support Children’s Hospital’s four-floor, 160,000-square-foot expansion. Children’s Hospital is adding the new space to better meet the needs of the growing number of critically ill children and families who come from across the region to receive the comprehensive array of highly specialized pediatric health care services that only the hospital can provide.

“It fills me with joy to get to be a small part of sharing the heart of the country music community with the CMA and Kix at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt,” said Scott. “I know I can speak for all the other artists when I say that we have an immense appreciation for everything the hospital is doing in our very own backyard for some of the bravest and strongest kids out there. The smiles I saw on their faces, despite what they’re facing, is exactly why we’re dedicated to being sure as many children and families get the best care possible.”

The gift from CMA and its members marks a high point in the longstanding relationship between the neighbor organizations that reside just blocks apart in Nashville. VUMC has long supported CMA, its members and their families through ongoing efforts to provide health care services, both conventional and those tailored to help artists protect their health and achieve full potential.

“CMA and our members have benefited a great deal from our longstanding relationship with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer. “Our partnership is the definition of reciprocal care: Vanderbilt has provided affordable health care options to our members and staff through CMA’s health insurance programs; they are in our ‘backyard’ attending to the immediate needs of the industry; and they are widely supported by our artist community including Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts and Kix Brooks. Supporting their ongoing growth is mutually beneficial.”

CMA and its members continue to provide generous support to VUMC, and in particular Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, in many other ways including countless fundraisers, concerts, philanthropic events and direct financial contributions. In addition, artists give the gift of time, visiting VUMC’s hospitals and clinics to brighten the days of patients and their families, as well as the Medical Center’s faculty and staff.

More than 200 artists have brought the healing power of music to Children’s Hospital over the past three years.

– by John Howser