When the COVID-19 pandemic upended lives around the world, country music legend Dolly Parton found her own way to lead in a crisis.
Her $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help expedite development of the Moderna vaccine gained international recognition. A Guardian correspondent even suggested naming the shot, "The Dolly."
Parton didn't stop there. Photographers captured her on March 2, 2021, donning a face mask and getting the vaccine in apublic show of trust. During a scary and confusing crisis, she was a voice of calm, singing improvised lyrics of "Vaccine" to the tune of her megahit "Jolene."
Dr. Alex Jahangir, who chaired the Metro Nashville Coronavirus Task Force during the height of the pandemic, said Parton's
donation and example undoubtedly saved lives.
"She stepped up financially to get the science where it needed to go and was such a public advocate and demonstrated herself the importance of the safety on getting the vaccine," said Jahangir, former chair of the city's board of health who was dubbed Nashville's COVID czar. "I'm confident many people received the vaccine because of her, someone they admired and respected and who is a straight shooter, more so than what I or anyone else said publicly. It was a big boost."
Parton remained a voice of optimism and resilience across decades. One often-quoted Dollyism is that "storms make trees take deeper roots."
In February 2026, East Tennessee Children's Hospital officials announced the renaming of the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, marking a historic collaboration rooted in compassion and community.
"Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love," Parton said in a statement after the renaming of the Knoxville not-for-profit pediatric health care facility.
Parton also has supported children in Nashville with a $1 million donation in 2022 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for ongoing pediatric infectious disease research.
The country star also made contributions to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt dedicated to the pediatric cancer program.
Even when celebrating her milestone 80th birthday, Parton found a way to give back.
She released a new rendition in January, 2026 of her classic hit "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," featuring Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah and Reba McEntire, to benefit the children's hospital. Net proceeds from the single and its music video benefit the pediatric cancer research program.
Dr. Debra Friedman, director of the hospital's Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, said "with Dolly's generous support to the pediatric cancer program, we have been able to make advances in the treatment and supportive care for the children with cancer and provide care in a positive and welcoming environment."
Jahangir said Parton's donations are among "many things she has done for our world and is just one way she has made the world a better place."
Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at bwarren@tennessean.com or on X at @BethWarrenCJ.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Children's health, vaccine research central to Dolly Parton's impact
