The Memorial Tournament and Columbus Childrens Hospital announced today the dedication ceremony for the Memorial Tournament Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Childrens. In May of 2005, the Memorial Tournament announced a multi-year pledge with Columbus Childrens Hospital, extending a successful 30-year partnership with the hospital as the Tournaments primary charitable beneficiary. Since 1976, the Memorial Tournament has raised more than $5.7 million to support the programs and services at Childrens Hospital. In recognition of the Memorials pledge, which will elevate the level of giving to more than $11 million in the coming years, Columbus Childrens dedicated its NICU in honor of the Tournament.
Jack and I are so proud of the Memorial Tournaments relationship with Columbus Childrens Hospital, Barbara Nicklaus said. For years, the hospital has provided tremendous care to so many children, including our own. Columbus Childrens Hospital has a special place in the hearts of the Nicklaus family.
Columbus Childrens Hospital operates the largest neonatal (newborn) program in the country, with 133 beds dedicated to neonatal services. Fourteen new private rooms, particularly suited to the chronic patient in need of acute care, feature an enhanced family-centered care environment that allows parents to stay overnight at their babys bedside. These new patient rooms feature natural light, better sound and light control, provide better privacy for families, and enhance delivery of the highest quality of neonatal care by interdisciplinary teams. In addition, three rooms enable parents of twins to stay in one room with both babies, and two rooms provide the same comfort for parents of triplets or quadruplets.
Our charitable relationship with Columbus Childrens Hospital is a valuable part of the Memorial Tournament tradition, Jack Nicklaus said. On behalf of the Memorial Tournament and our family, Barbara and I look forward to a continued commitment to help the children of Central Ohio and beyond.
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus began their support of Columbus Childrens Hospital well before the first playing of the Memorial in 1976, and they have made the hospital a personal philanthropic priority. As the parents of five children, grandparents to 16, and leaders in the hospitals giving community, Jack and Barbara have proven their dedication to excellence in pediatric healthcare.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of Jack and Barbara, and through their efforts, the Memorial Tournament, said Jon Fitzgerald, president of the Columbus Childrens Hospital Foundation. This type of ongoing, inspirational support is vital to our mission of providing all children with access to the highest-quality pediatric care and research, regardless of ability to pay. Columbus Childrens Hospital and the families we serve are most fortunate to have devoted friends like Jack, Barbara and the Memorial Tournament.
The relationship between the Memorial Tournament and Columbus Childrens Hospital has existed since the first playing of the Memorial 30 years ago. The relationship revolves around the selfless dedication of the Womens Auxiliary Committee for Childrens Hospital and its volunteers. This dedication is reflected in the more than 21,000 hours clocked during Tournament week by over 2,600 volunteers of the Womens Auxiliary. It is a relationship that annually generates thousands of dollars in recognition of the committees efforts and in support of the great work being done year after year at Columbus Childrens Hospital.
The Memorial Tournament is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, which was founded and is hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the worlds best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit charitable organizations in central Ohio.
For more information about giving opportunities, call the Columbus Children's Hospital Foundation at: (614) 722-2991.