West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Receives Gift from James W. Ayers

Hospital Names Children's Medical Center in Honor of Ayers and Begins Major Capital Campaign

Jim Ayers, chairman of the board of FirstBank and a native of Parsons, Tenn., has donated $5 million to the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, it was announced today. The donation is the largest gift in the history of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

Ayers' endowment gift for operations will allow General Hospital to consolidate and expand its pediatric services, which will be called the Ayers Children's Medical Center in recognition of the donation.

"Mr. Ayers' generosity will help West Tennessee Healthcare serve the children of this community for years and years to come. This donation lays the groundwork to increase medical services for children at the hospital," said Jim Moss, West Tennessee Healthcare president and CEO. "This donation will mean that more young people will be able to receive care close to home, and we are extremely grateful for this extraordinary kindness."

"I am thrilled to be able to support West Tennessee Healthcare with this donation today," said Ayers. "I'd like to thank Curtis Mansfield, head of FirstBank's Jackson operations, who came to me with this idea several months ago and has helped make it happen. West Tennessee is my home, and I am firmly committed to this region and to doing all that I can to help the young people who live here. I am confident this gift will improve upon the already excellent care available at the hospital."

In addition to the announcement of the endowment by Ayers, Frank McMeen, president of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, also announced the kickoff of a $5 million capital campaign.  This two-year campaign will raise money to fund the renovation and consolidation of the physical facility that houses all of the children's medical services at the Ayers Children's Medical Center.

Hospital officials are working with consultants to develop a strategic plan outlining what children's services should be added in light of Ayers' donation. Currently, services for children include the hospital's pediatric unit, pediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric outpatient clinics, and the Kiwanis Center for Child Development.

"Every year we see more than 5,000 children at the hospital, and this donation will make a real and substantial difference in the care they receive," said Anne Campbell, hospital vice president for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

The pediatric cardiology clinic opened in 2003 through a partnership with Dr. Arnold Strauss and Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Dr. Strauss practices regularly at both hospitals and spoke on behalf of General Hospital's pediatric outpatient clinic physicians about the positive impact of providing and expanding these services to children closer to home rather than driving to Memphis or Nashville.

"One of the first changes will be the addition of subspecialty clinics to serve children with specific health conditions, such as diabetes and seizures.  In the future, we expect to add increased capacity for treating gastrointestinal disorders and several other enhancements, including endocrinology services, neurology and developmental services and a pediatric anesthetist," Campbell continued. 

 Ayers has long been working to improve the lives of children in West Tennessee. He established the Ayers Foundation in 1999 and has helped more than 600 high school students in West Tennessee attend college. In addition, the Foundation provides financial support to help area teachers receive a master's degree in education. The Ayers Foundation also allows high school juniors and seniors in West Tennessee to attend freshmen-level college courses free of charge.