Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation Receives $1.5 Million Gift from the Tull Family Foundation

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation announced today that it has received a $1.5 million gift from the Tull Family Foundation to support research programs and creative arts programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. 

The Tull Family Foundation is founded by Thomas and Alba Tull, and supports education, social services, and medical and scientific research. The gift will support the Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research and the Creative and Expressive Arts Therapy program at UPMC Children’s Hospital.

The Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research will receive $1 million, which will help recruit and support young physician-scientists pursuing groundbreaking pediatric research. It will help assist them in securing extramural funding in order to translate scientific findings into treating and preventing childhood diseases. The Institute is led by George K. Gittes, M.D., a nationally recognized pediatric surgeon and well-established basic scientist.

The Creative and Expressive Arts Therapy (CEAT) program at UPMC Children’s Hospital will receive $500,000. The program offers therapeutic activities tailored to meet the social, emotional, and physical needs of patients and their families. The funds are supporting the creation of a state-of-the-art art therapy studio, music therapy studio, and creative arts hub. The new space is currently under construction and will be revealed later this year.

“We are incredibly grateful to Thomas and Alba, and the Tull Family Foundation, for their generosity and support of our research and creative arts programs,” said Rachel Petrucelli, president, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. “The impact this will bring to research and the opportunity to provide a better future and continued health for children depends on the success and discovery of new treatments. This will give us the opportunity to offer support to our physician scientists in a way that could lead them to discover new treatments for patients.”

“We are extremely supportive of the mission and growth of UPMC Children’s Hospital, and we want to be an integral part of the future of children’s healthcare right here in Pittsburgh,” said Alba Tull, chairman, Tull Family Foundation.

The Tull Family Foundation has been a critical supporter of UPMC Children's for many years. In 2016, the foundation donated a Harry Potter train. Also, in partnership with the San Diego Zoo, donated access to San Diego Zoo Kids, a virtual adventure television channel. This programming allows young patients at both UPMC Children’s and Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh to connect with wildlife without leaving their rooms. Alba Tull is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.

“A top priority at Children’s is our patients and families and the experience they have when they walk in our doors, whether that be for a daily clinic appointment or an extended care stay,” added Petrucelli. “The impact the Tull Family Foundation has made with the recent gift, and previous support, really exemplifies a passion for Children’s Hospital.”

The Tull Family Foundation (TFF) is a private foundation that philanthropically supports efforts across the education, medical and scientific research communities, and health and social services sectors. TFF’s founders, Thomas and Alba Tull, primarily focus their giving in their home town of Pittsburgh to empower change and advancement in their local communities. The Tulls pursue their mission by investing in organizations that are groundbreaking and innovative and have the ability to transform the lives of the people who they serve.