Golisano Children’s Hospital Celebrates 10 Years of Changing Lives
On July 17, Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) families, employees, and leadership celebrates its 10th year anniversary, a milestone reflected in the significant growth GCH has made toward providing comprehensive health services to children in the Finger Lakes region and beyond.
In 2015, Golisano Children’s Hospital opened the doors to its new tower, a major expansion that reshaped the scale, visibility, and capabilities of pediatric care in the Rochester region. Ten years later, the eight-story facility stands as a central hub for advanced clinical care, research, and training, serving more than 85,000 children each year and supporting families through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
At the time of its opening, the tower added more than 245,000 square feet of space and 148 beds designed around the needs of children and families. The facility introduced all-private patient rooms, family-centered amenities, and the region’s only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It also housed the newly established Pediatric Surgical Suite and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, which together have supported more than 30,000 pediatric surgeries and over 10,000 critical care admissions in the decade since. In total, more than 12,000 infants have received care in the Gosnell NICU, the only unit of its kind in the Finger Lakes region.
The tower was made possible through a $20 million gift from philanthropist and Paychex founder Tom Golisano, following his initial $14 million donation in 2002 to name the children’s hospital. Golisano’s leadership and ongoing support galvanized broader community investment, with more than 10,000 individuals and organizations ultimately contributing over $65 million to help make the new facility a reality.
During the past 10 years, GCH has continued to grow both clinically and academically. The hospital has added new technologies and services—including a dedicated pediatric Interventional Radiology Suite, a GI suite, and pediatric-dedicated ambulances—and has become a recruitment magnet for nationally recognized specialists bringing experience from leading children’s hospitals and helping to raise the quality and scope of care available in Rochester.
“Our mission has always been to help every child reach their full potential,” said Jill Halterman, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of Pediatrics at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “This tower has made that possible in ways we couldn’t have imagined before. It has helped us bring exceptional care closer to home, attract outstanding clinical talent, and continue growing as a national leader in pediatric medicine.”
The tower’s first decade also included significant expansion in research and faculty development. Under the leadership of the late Patrick Brophy, the Department of Pediatrics saw increases in federal research funding, strategic faculty recruitment, and innovation in behavioral health care. These advances have been continued under the leadership of Dr. Halterman, who has also helped guide the expansion of services such as GI Motility and bone marrow transplants, as well as the growth of new health equity initiatives.
“The GCH Tower reflects what’s possible when philanthropy, academic medicine, and community commitment align around a shared purpose,” said Kathy Parrinello, Chief Operating Officer of Strong Memorial Hospital. “It has helped transform how pediatric care is delivered, not just here in Rochester, but across the entire region.”
Looking ahead, GCH is preparing for the next phase of expansion. Plans are underway to add new floors to the tower and to construct a pediatric emergency department; enhancements that will further increase capacity and improve access to timely, specialized care. Institutional leaders remain focused on equity, quality, and innovation, with a continued emphasis on bringing services directly into communities and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.
