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The Children's Hospital was named for Monroe Carell Jr. The community leader and philanthropist was an honorary lifetime member of the Children's Hospital's Board of Directors. He died June 20, 2008 at age 76. His love for and commitment to the patients at Children's Hospital was unparalleled.
"The reality of this hospital is the answer to something that I have wanted and yearned for, for many years. It comes from the early days as a child when I had to go to the hospital so many times for so many years," Monroe said in an interview in the spring of 2008. "While I received wonderful treatment, I always knew that I was one child amongst many adults, and the hospital and all of the doctors looked upon me as something certainly different from the other patients."
Monroe earned a degree in Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt, and was named the 2001 School of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus. He has served as a Vanderbilt trustee since 1991. Monroe and his wife, Ann, who is also on the Board of Directors and is a Vanderbilt graduate, have been philanthropic leaders at Vanderbilt for many years.
Monroe and Ann funded the Carell Scholars undergraduate program and the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Chair of Pediatric Cardiology. Monroe, who was the retired CEO of Central Parking, Inc., was chair of Vanderbilt's Shape the Future Campaign and served as chair of the Children's Hospital Capital Campaign.
"This hospital that we have at Vanderbilt for the children of Middle Tennessee gives them a special place that is all their own; a place that was built, a staff that was trained for children, and doctors who want to be there to treat young people," Monroe once said in an interview. "I think this makes for a much better situation for the child as well as the family."
In March 2008, Monroe was named Nashvillian of the Year by the Easter Seals. He was recognized for his numerous philanthropic efforts, especially his generosity in giving to the hospital that bears his name.
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