With $125 million gift, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia plans new tower

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is envisioning a major expansion, thanks to the largest donation in the pediatric system’s history.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is planning to build a new hospital and renovate its existing hospital, following a $125 million contribution from Brian and Aileen Roberts.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and his wife, Aileen, have given a “transformational” gift of $125 million, the system said. With that donation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, known as CHOP locally, is planning to build a new hospital standing more than 20 stories.

The new hospital will be known as Roberts Children’s Health. CHOP also plans major improvements to its existing hospital in Philadelphia.

The Roberts family has made a number of substantial contributions to CHOP over the years, but this gift surpasses them all. CHOP says the new pediatric hospital is slated to be open in 2028.

When the expansion is complete, CHOP will have more than 700 rooms, and all will be private. The system says all the rooms will have modern technology that will offer patients and families a more personalized experience. The rooms will have technology that will tie into patients’ electronic health records and allow for easy communication with the care team.

Madeline Bell, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the contribution will enable the organization to “create a space that could accommodate the needs of children now and for years to come.”

“Roberts Children’s Health will greatly enhance the hospital experience for our patients and their families, equip our staff with the latest innovations, and revolutionize how we provide care, all while continuing our long legacy of breakthroughs.”

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The new hospital will feature more than 30 procedure and imaging rooms. CHOP says that many tasks, including medication delivery, will be automated, easing the burdens on staff.

The new tower will also include a suite designed for the families of patients who have longer stays in the hospital. It’ll include space for fitness and entertainment to help families be comfortable. Each floor will include a family suite with a pantry and features for families doing remote work.

In a statement, Brian and Aileen Roberts said they hoped to help kids get the best care and to ensure that CHOP is able to recruit and keep top talent.

“Our lives have been touched by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in countless ways, and with this gift, we hope to deliver on Madeline’s vision for the future of pediatrics and inspire others to support this life-changing work happening right here in our backyard,” Brian and Aileen Roberts said.

They said they want CHOP to remain “a beacon of hope, and the pride of Philadelphia for decades to come.”

Comcast, which owns NBC Universal, is based in Philadelphia. The Roberts family has provided contributions for other big initiatives at CHOP, including the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, which opened in 2017, and a collaborative for genetics and individualized medicine.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued generosity of the Roberts family. They have helped propel us to the forefront of pediatric genetics research,” Bell said in a statement. “Now, we’ll be able to translate that research into extraordinary care more quickly and help more children live healthier lives.”

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has expanded significantly in recent years. In 2022, CHOP opened a $289 million hospital, the Middleman Family Pavilion, in King of Prussia, just outside Philadelphia.

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