Boston Children's Hospital Receives Grant to Support Malaria Research and Music Therapy Program Honoring Dr. Gary Loveman

BOSTON, Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boston Children's Hospital today announced a $350,000 commitment to support malaria research and the music therapy program for children in honor of Dr. Gary Loveman. The gift includes a $250,000 contribution from the Caesars Entertainment Corporation foundation and more than $100,000 from current and former Caesars Entertainment executives.

The commitment to malaria research will support Dr. Jeffrey Dvorin's efforts to combat the disease, which claims the lives of more than 400,000 people per year around the world. Dr. Dvorin is pursuing new targets for drugs and vaccines to address this global crisis, and these funds will provide important resources in that effort.

Additionally, the gift in honor of Dr. Loveman, will fund music therapy for children being treated for serious illnesses. The Boston Children's Hospital Music Therapy Program helps provide families with comfort, solace and relief as they cope with hospitalization. A growing body of research demonstrates that music therapy lowers blood pressure and respiration rates and increases production of pain-fighting endorphins.  Over the past year, close to 10,000 patients and families have benefited from these services, and this grant will extend the number of patients who can receive this valuable therapy.

"These contributions will provide funding to continue important research as well as music therapy that greatly eases the burden on patients and their families," said Sandra L. Fenwick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Children's Hospital. "Through personal commitments and his own service on our Board of Trustees, Gary and his family have long supported the work we do at Boston Children's. We are grateful that the Caesars Foundation and Gary's colleagues have chosen to honor him by helping us take that work even further."

The grant from the Caesars Foundation and Dr. Loveman's colleagues come in his honor as his tenure as Chairman of Caesars concludes. Loveman spent more than 17 years at Caesars, serving as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, Dr. Loveman presided over the growth of the company into the largest gaming enterprise in the world, created the award winning Total Rewards customer loyalty program.  He put in practice his research work from his time as a professor at the Harvard Business School, demonstrating the importance of superior customer service in differentiating and growing a hospitality business.  Among his most important work was the development of innovative employee wellness programs featuring on-site clinics.

"Boston Children's Hospital is at the cutting edge of research and care, and I am proud of my long affiliation with the Hospital.  I am very thankful for this this contribution from the Caesars Foundation and my colleagues," Dr. Loveman said.  "The malaria research promises breakthroughs to address this global health problem, and the music therapy program will provide calm and comfort while coping with illness and the process of healing."

"On behalf of the Caesars Foundation as well as the many colleagues Gary worked with over the course of his career at Caesars, we are thrilled to make this contribution and fund Boston Children's important work in Gary's honor," said John Payne, who now serves as Chief Operating Officer of VICI Properties, LLC.

About Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Children's Hospital, the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center. Its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. Today, more than 2,630 scientists, including nine members of the National Academy of Sciences, 14 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 11 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators comprise Boston Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Boston Children's is now a 415-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care. For more, visit our Vector and Thriving blogs and follow us on social media @BostonChildrens, @BCH_Innovation, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Kristen Dattoli, Boston Children's Hospital
617-919-3110  [email protected]

SOURCE Boston Children's Hospital

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