A $5 million dollar gift was made from the McWane Foundation to help fund the incorporation of an eco-friendly design at the new Children's Hospital of Alabama.  Chairman Phillip McWane, who has served on the hospital's Board of Trustees since 1985, said, "The Children's Hospital project gave us the opportunity to touch a lot of families, not only in the community and state, but in our region."  Phillip and Heather McWane also personally pledged an additional $5 million in support of a clinical program in the new hospital.  The $10 million contribution is the second largest gift in the hospital's history.  

With this donation, Children's will become the first hospital in Alabama to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.  This designation from the U.S. Green Building Council measures sustainable design for structures in five areas: water savings, energy efficiency, sustainable site development, superior indoor air quality, and materials selection. 

The construction will recycle materials salvaged from two outdated existing buildings on the site, add rooftop landscaping to reduce heat absorption and storm water run-off, use low-emission materials, and reduce construction activity pollution.  The new hospital will replace patient care areas that are almost 50 years old.  It will also offer larger patient rooms, 16 operating rooms, and a much larger emergency room.  The 12-story, 720,000 square foot expansion is expected to be complete by mid-2012. 

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