(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Nationwide Children’s Hospital announced a generous gift of $7.5 million from The Worthington Companies Foundation and The McConnell Foundation to create The Worthington Companies Pediatric Research Fund. This important mechanism will provide financial support for the most promising research breakthroughs taking place at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“The Worthington Companies Foundation, which includes both Worthington Enterprises and Worthington Steel, is proud to make Nationwide Children’s Hospital our first community investment, a gift made possible by the work of our employees,” said Sonya Higginbotham, President, The Worthington Companies Foundation. “At Worthington, we believe in the power of innovation and the scientific breakthroughs at Nationwide Children’s are leading the way to a brighter future for generations of families around the world. This Fund will be transformative to children’s health for years to come.”
The Worthington Companies Pediatric Research Fund will be administered by the scientific leadership of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute to the most promising lines of inquiry and examination into a wide range of conditions facing children. Recognized as a top-10 National Institute of Health organization, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute’s breakthroughs change medicine in communities across the globe.
“The Worthington Companies Pediatric Research Fund will impact the lives of children far into the future,” said Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Worthington Enterprises, Worthington Steel and the McConnell family have supported Nationwide Children’s for decades, and we are grateful for their continuing commitment to our mission.”
The Worthington Companies Foundation, which was formerly known as The Worthington Industries Foundation, and The McConnell Foundation have collectively given $17.3 million to Nationwide Children’s over the last six decades.
“The generosity of The Worthington Industries Foundation and now, The Worthington Companies Foundation has helped make central Ohio such a special place,” said Steve Testa, President, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are thankful for their vision in creating The
Worthington Companies Pediatric Research Fund. This is cutting-edge, ambitious work, and it will change lives.”
About Worthington Companies Foundation
The Worthington Companies Foundation, formerly known as the Worthington Industries Foundation, exists to support worthwhile community causes. In fiscal year 2023, the Foundation contributed $2.9M to 69 organizations in its focus areas of Health, Human Services, Youth & Education and Civic Causes.
Funded by Worthington Enterprises (NYSE:WOR) and Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS), the two public companies formed by the December 2023 split of the former Worthington Industries, the Foundation's community efforts now have the power of two companies behind them.