Published: March 18, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Norton Children’s is proud to announce the opening of the Panda Cares Center of Hope at Norton Children’s Hospital.
The Panda Cares Center of Hope provides a private, comforting space for families as their child receives care in the Norton Children’s Hospital emergency department. The newly renovated area not only offers respite but is a place where the whole family can receive emotional, mental and spiritual support. Norton Children’s pastoral care team and child life specialists will provide counseling, therapeutic play and other support to help parents, siblings and affected family members of a child in the hospital.
“Norton Children’s strives to provide world-class care to kids across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and achieving that mission isn’t possible without the support of our community,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Healthcare. “We are incredibly grateful to Panda Express and its foundation, Panda Cares, for their generous contribution and desire to help our patients and their families.”
Along with the renovations completed for the center, Panda Express’s $400,000 donation, made through its partnership with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, will fund Norton Children’s pastoral care and child life programs, which support patients and families alike.
Norton Children’s has been a member of CMN Hospitals since 2007. To date, Panda has raised more than $190 million for hospitals affiliated with CMN Hospitals, including Norton Children’s.
“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be part of the healing journey for families and kids at these hospitals,” said Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO, Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.”
Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express associates and guests. Funds raised in restaurants and online benefit local communities. “It is a blessing that Panda Express recognizes the importance of the spiritual and emotional support we provide to families here at Norton Children’s Hospital,” said the Rev. Richard Forest, D.Min., F.T., chaplain and bereavement care coordinator, Norton Children’s. “The new Panda Cares Center of Hope and additional funding will help us continue to provide our patients and their families with the quality care they need.”