GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A $50 million gift from the DeVos family will be used to support children's health in West Michigan.
The funding will be split across the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, the Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital and Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health.
Leaders from Corewell Health, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, along with Doug DeVos and other DeVos family shared details about the financial gift Monday morning.
CEOs from these three organizations explained how they'll use the investment across medical, rehabilitative and mental health sectors in the region.
A majority of the donation—$40 million—will go toward expanding the Comprehensive Care Program and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. This includes supporting children at the hospital's new inpatient medical psychiatry unit, as well as the addition of a breast milk donation and distribution station.
Of that amount, $20 million will go toward establishing a permanent endowment for the Child and Family Life Team, which will support nearly 40 professionals as they work with children and families in the hospital.
“This gift will allow us to continue to do the extraordinary, compassionate care which happens every day at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, president of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
$5 million will go toward building the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a center created by a partnership with Mary Free Bed and the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Officials have slated the rehabilitation hospital to open in 2026 and serve an additional 2,000 to 2,500 children a year.
“With the DeVos family’s support, we’re fulfilling a big-hearted promise to our youngest patients and their families," said Kent Riddle, president and CEO of Mary Free Bed. "This gift will help bring to life Michigan’s first, freestanding children’s rehabilitation hospital – an extraordinary step in giving every child the opportunity to reach their greatest potential."
Lastly, $5 million will go toward the building of the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. The center will increase access to both inpatient and outpatient care and behavioral health testing.
This comes as many children and families have seen longer wait times for access to mental health care in West Michigan.
“These services could significantly improve a child’s performance in school, relationships with family and friends, and overall emotional well-being," said Dr. Heide Rollings, medical director, Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavior Health. "With this transformational gift from the DeVos family, the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health will truly change lives by expanding access to care, developing innovative treatment models and continuing our commitment to the community Pine Rest has served for over 110 years.”
"Our family is incredibly grateful for the compassionate pediatric experts who are devoted to transforming the lives of children in remarkable ways," said Doug DeVos on Monday. "We hope this gift will increase further collaboration between these individuals and organizations to advance medical, rehabilitative and mental health care for kids.”
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