The Primary Children’s Hospital, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus in Lehi opened for patient care on Monday, February 12.
“The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus honors the Miller family’s support and vision for children’s health and wellness in the Interior West and symbolizes the most significant boost in children’s healthcare delivery since Primary Children’s Hospital opened 102 years ago,” said Katy Welkie, chief executive officer of Primary Children’s and vice president of Intermountain Children’s Health. “As we dedicate this special place of healing, we extend our gratitude to the Miller family and many other families who gave so generously to make it possible.”
Philanthropist and civic and business leader Gail Miller, a Primary Promise Executive Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair, joined nearly 1,000 patients, caregivers, and Primary Promise supporters at the special dedication ceremony, sharing in the awe and excitement expressed by Rob Allen, Intermountain president and CEO.
“Today, more than ever, I feel as if we’re standing on the shoulders of giants,” Rob said. “Community support for the model health system for children is building. The power of philanthropy is what’s made Primary Children’s the beacon it has become — and will continue to fuel endless possibilities for children’s health.”
Thirteen-year-old Nellie Mainor shared Rob’s wish for future patients. She spent years of her young life at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake City, receiving treatment for kidney failure caused by Dense Deposit Disease. Since she was hospitalized at age six, Nellie has helped her fellow patients find ease in their hospital visits by conducting toy drives and other fundraisers.
“Primary Children’s Hospital is my home away from home, and I tell my nurses and doctors they’re like my second family,” Nellie said. “I’m so happy we now have a second Primary Children’s Hospital here in Lehi, where I know kids will get the same great care and love from the doctors and nurses as I did at the Salt Lake campus.”
The new campus is a full-service children’s hospital providing nearly all the same specialty pediatric services that patients receive at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake City.
Medical staff will be fully integrated with the pediatric specialists at University of Utah Health, who will continue to work collaboratively with Primary Children’s caregivers to provide the highest level of pediatric care to patients at the new campus.
“It’s been nearly four years to the day that we announced the second campus of Primary Children’s Hospital, and we’ve all been anxiously awaiting the moment we open the doors to serve the children and families in the rapidly growing southern Salt Lake County and Utah County,” said Lisa Paletta, president of Primary Children’s Miller Family Campus. “Together, everyone involved in the new campus has given life to our vision for a beautiful, healing space for children, and we’re proud to celebrate this historical moment with you.”
The Miller Family Campus is one part of our Primary Promise to build the nation’s model health system for children. This transformative, multi-faceted plan requires a minimum investment of $600 million in children’s health, shared by Intermountain and community philanthropic support.
The campaign was announced in January 2020 alongside a $50 million gift from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, the largest single investment in Miller family history.
“Our children have been helped by Primary Children’s in our hour of need, just like so many families before and after us,” Gail said. “We’re happy to support the good that Primary Children’s can do for children and families with this second location and the Primary Promise vision to make the Interior West the home of the nation’s healthiest pediatric population.”
Nellie had the chance to meet Gail when the Miller family’s philanthropic gift was announced in 2020. For the occasion, Nellie made a beaded necklace for Gail as a gesture of thanks.
At the dedication, Nellie and Gail reunited to cut the ribbon on the new campus together. As for the necklace: Miller has worn it often over the past four years and keeps it in her office as a remembrance. Before the dedication ceremony, she placed the treasure into a special time capsule on the hospital grounds.
The Miller family’s generous support of Primary Promise inspired unprecedented giving from individuals and organizations, in combination with investments by Intermountain.
“Gail is a shining example of the impact of giving back and what’s possible for our children now and in generations to come.” said Todd Pedersen, businessman and philanthropist, whose family gave a $35 million gift to the Miller Family Campus. “I’m grateful to her and the many others here today who’ve followed in her footsteps and given generously to this hospital and Primary Promise.”
Caregivers like you also support our Primary Promise by providing extraordinary care to our patients and their families every day. You can join the campaign by making a one-time personal donation or a recurring payroll deduction to Intermountain Foundation. Learn more about Primary Promise here.
Contributor
Jennifer Toomer-Cook, MPC
Media Relations Manager
Intermountain Health - Primary Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics, and Intermountain Foundation