FORT MYERS, Fla.–The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has made a $500,000 pledge to Golisano Children’s Hospital to support its new surgery center.
The gift, to be fulfilled over five years, will directly fund construction and equipment for the new facility, which is designed to meet the growing demand for specialized pediatric surgery close to home, according to the organizations.
The Surgery Center will be the first dedicated outpatient pediatric surgery center in Southwest Florida and “will offer children and families access to expert surgical care in an environment specifically built for kids, reducing the need to travel long distances for complex procedures and minimizing the anxiety often associated with hospital visits,” the organizations said in a statement.
The facility will offer a wide range of surgical specialties, including orthopedics, ENT, general surgery, urology, and more.
‘Important for Children’
“Our Suncoast mission calls for us to help improve the communities we serve. This pledged gift will allow more children to access to high-quality care in a compassionate and comforting setting which is important to long term health and wellness,” Suncoast CU President and CEO Kevin Johnson said in a statement. “It is important for children to be close to family when accessing healthcare and we are pleased to be the bridge between the need and the reality of quality care for families in Southwest Florida with pediatric needs.”
Southwest Florida is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state, with a pediatric population that continues to rise. Currently, more than 5,000 children rely on Golisano Children’s Hospital for surgical care each year, the organizations said.
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation’s $500,000 pledge is part of a total $900,000 investment in Lee Health Foundation initiatives in 2025, including support for mental health services and community-based wellness programs.
