BASF donated $250,000 to help build the Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Children’s Hospital, which will serve the Greater Baton Rouge area and will be the first free-standing children’s hospital in the region. The donation was a multi-year pledge committed when construction first began.

“As a parent, I understand the importance of having local access to excellent healthcare for my children, and the new Children’s Hospital will be a wonderful resource to all families in the Greater Baton Rouge area,” said Kristen Pforr, BASF’s VP operations – Chemical Intermediates, North America and OLOL Children’s Hospital Board member. “BASF’s contribution will help enhance children’s health care options for our employees, neighbors and the community.”

The 93-bed OLOL Children’s Hospital will open its doors to the community on Saturday, Oct. 5. The five-story, 360,000 square foot facility has a specialized pediatric emergency room and is part of a care network that offers more than 25 pediatric specialties to care for children from across Louisiana.

“We are thankful for the support from so many in our community from day one when we started this amazing journey,” said Kelly Hurtado, Our Lady of the Lake Foundation executive director. “BASF’s donation makes an impact as we extend healing to the thousands of children who will come into our care.”

BASF’s manufacturing presence in Louisiana includes operations in Geismar and Vidalia with nearly 2,000 employees and contractors.