DeVos family donates $50M to children’s healthcare. Here’s 3 projects it will fund

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The DeVos Family Foundation announced a big investment in children’s health care Monday, with a $50 million pledge to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.

The vast majority of the dollars — $40 million — are going to the children’s hospital. The remaining $10 million will be split by Mary Free Bed and Pine Rest.

RELATED: DeVos family pledges $50 million for children’s health in West Michigan

The DeVos Family Foundation is a collaborative effort between the second and third generation of the DeVos family, which includes Dick and Betsy DeVos, Daniel and Pamella DeVos, Doug and Maria DeVos, and Cheri DeVos Ehmann and Steve Ehmann.

Here’s a look at the projects being funded by the gift:

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

One project the $40 million gift to the children’s hospital will fund is the expansion of the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit from 30 beds to 44 beds. The new beds will be split between cardiac, general intensive care, and “hopefully,” a neurological-focused intensive care unit in the future, said Dr. Robert Fitzgerald, president of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

“We need that immensely because within the last two years we’ve been doubling kids up in rooms, which is not what we want,” he said. He added that, because of the shortage of beds, staff have had to “take over the non-ICU beds and put ICU patients in there, which is not what we want to do.”

The gift will also fund a 12-bed pediatric medical psychiatric unit.

The $17 million unit, located on the 11th floor of the children’s hospital, will provide multidisciplinary care for patients, including by psychiatrists, psychologists, medical physicians, social workers, nurses, chaplains and pharmacists.

While there are already services available in the region for children with medical emergencies and behavioral-health emergencies, the unit is unique because it provides both types of care simultaneously. Examples of patients expected to use the unit include children with anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts who also need care medical care for a seizure disorder, diabetes, or rehabilitation support for an injury.

In addition, the donation will fund a breast milk donation and distribution station. The station will support infants in the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center, and help “enhance the donation and distribution of lifesaving milk for NICU babies.”

Finally, half of the $40 million will be used to create a permanent endowment for the children’s hospital Child and Family Life Team. Team members maintain playrooms for children, provides patient and family support, and oversees school, art and music therapy programs for patients.

Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital

Mary Free Bed is using a $5 million donation from the DeVos Family Foundation to help fund the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.

The three-story, 24-bed children’s rehabilitation hospital will be built across the street from Mary Free Bed’s main campus on Wealthy Street SE and is expected to open in 2026. It’s expected to serve 2,000 to 2,500 additional children each year and increase capacity for outpatient visits by 20%.

“With the DeVos Family’s support, we’re fulfilling a big-hearted promise to our youngest patients and their families,” Mary Free Bed President and CEO Kent Riddle said in a statement. “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.”

With the $5 million donation, total funds raised for the hospital total $49 million, said Mary Free Bed spokesperson Chris Mills. In addition to private donations, Mary Free Bed has received $15 million from the state for the project, as well as $3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health

The Devos Family Foundation gift also included $5 million for the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. The project is a two-story expansion at its Gaines Township campus on 68th St. SE that will have 66-beds for children and teens suffering from mental health issues such as eating disorders, depression, substance abuse and more.

The project’s price tag is $98 million, which includes the cost of building the facility as well as workforce development and clinical programming. It’s expected to open in 2026. A news release for the project says it will “dramatically expand access to inpatient and partial hospitalization, outpatient care, and behavioral health testing services for children and teens throughout the state.”

Mark Eastburg, president and CEO of Pine Rest, said the expansion will host the first pediatric psychiatric urgent care center in the state.

“Kids can immediately get care,” he said. “Family members know there’s some resource that they can walk into and let us help sort it out. That’s a real game changer for kids in Michigan.”

The project is not yet fully funded.

“We have more work to do,” said Eastburg, who declined to say how much funding has been secured for the project. “Having this gift from the DeVos family is both a tangible reflection that will help us toward the goal.”

More on MLive:

Large, 256-unit housing development planned south of Grand Rapids

West Michigan park has 5 yurts ready for summer 2024, tree houses are next

‘Everybody’s been loving it’: 616 Kabob Stop Express touts growth in Grand Rapids area

Local gallery to host art show fundraiser for Grand Rapids Public Schools