WakeMed Foundation Establishes $2M Endowment in Support of WakeMed Children’s Hospital

Philanthropic gift from Larry Barbour and North State Bank aims to improve the lives of children for generations to come

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 14, 2020) – The WakeMed Foundation today announces that it has established a $2M endowment for the WakeMed Children’s Hospital, thanks to a generous gift from Larry and Diane Barbour and North State Bank. The endowment will fund the continued delivery of innovative pediatric programs and services at WakeMed Children’s for generations to come, starting in 2021.

WakeMed Children’s provides crucial care for more than 100,000 children in our community each year.

Larry Barbour, president & CEO of North State Bank, is a long-time WakeMed Board member who has served nearly 12 years in support of WakeMed’s mission. His donation is made in honor and memory of his son, Zachary Carlyle Taylor, who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor at age five. This gift will honor Zachary’s legacy by allowing WakeMed to fund the most critical needs of the WakeMed Children’s Hospital. The Children’s Emergency Department will be dedicated in his honor and memory this month.

"This endowment is a transformational and powerful gift for WakeMed Children's and for this community," explains Dr. Karen Chilton, systemwide associate chief quality officer and chief medical officer, WakeMed Children's. "Not only does it provide funds for us in the short-term to enhance the care we're delivering to pediatric patients today, it allows us to look toward the future and aim even higher to bring exceptional and innovative care to children for generations to come. As a pediatrician, knowing we will have funds available to spend each year on those programs and services that are most pressing for children in our community brings me great comfort and excitement."

Larry Barbour and North State Bank donated $2 million to the WakeMed Foundation to create the endowment to make this community better by enhancing the lives of children.

“Much like WakeMed, North State Bank was built by and for our community,” explains Barbour. “We’re honored and humbled to support WakeMed – an incredible health system committed to improving the health and well-being of this community. I hope this gift will raise awareness for WakeMed Children’s and that it will inspire others to join us in supporting this worthy cause.”

WakeMed Children’s is Wake County’s leading provider of children’s health care services. From opening the first and only dedicated Children’s Emergency Department in 1997 followed by the first Children’s Hospital in 2010 to establishing the first pediatric surgery program in Wake County, WakeMed Children’s has a longstanding history of providing key pediatric health care services that our community needs. Ensuring kids have access to primary care and pediatric wellness services to the most advanced specialty care, including the county’s first Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), WakeMed Children’s provides the very best innovative treatment and compassionate care available to children in Wake County.

“We are incredibly grateful for North State Bank’s generosity in helping establish this important endowment and for Larry’s continued leadership on our board and throughout the community,” explains Donald R. Gintzig, WakeMed president & CEO. “North State Bank’s investment in the future of pediatric care in Wake County will help WakeMed achieve its mission of improving the health and well-being of this community.”

About the WakeMed Foundation

WakeMed Foundation is the philanthropic partner for WakeMed Health & Hospitals, supporting the health system in its mission of improving the health and well-being of our community. The WakeMed Foundation is committed to impacting the lives of patients by supporting WakeMed’s aspirational goals. For more than 25 years, the WakeMed Foundation has supported the development of new facilities, innovative health programs and meeting the needs of WakeMed’s patients and staff.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 941-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 9,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 580 physicians and providers with WakeMed Physician Practices – all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

###

For Additional Information:

WakeMed Health & Hospitals


Kristin Kelly | Phone: 919-350-5921


Email: krkelly@wakemed.org