William Cooper Procter
Procter's extraordinary leadership and philanthropy resulted in the dramatic expansion of the hospital's size, scope, mission and reputation.

In the 1920s, a local businessman had the vision and forethought to make an investment that has impacted generations of families and children in our community, across the country and around the globe.

William Cooper Procter, grandson of the co-founder of Procter & Gamble, gave a transformational gift of more than $5 million-valued at nearly $80 million today-to advance the growth and innovation of Cincinnati Children's.

Half of Procter's support was dedicated to capital projects of the time, like constructing and furnishing a new 200-bed facility and a residence hall for nurses.

The other half of Procter's investment changed the trajectory of the medical center-and of child health. His generous gift established and endowed our Research Foundation and catapulted Cincinnati Children's to one of the world's most preeminent pediatric hospitals in the world, and the only hospital with a dedicated research facility.

Because of Procter's vision and support, researchers and clinicians at Cincinnati Children's have made breakthrough discoveries that have changed the face of pediatric medicine. Polio has been virtually eradicated because of Dr. Albert Sabin's first oral polio vaccine; we developed the first functional heart-lung machine doubling the survival rate for heart surgeries; we've revolutionized the care, and continue to save the lives, of countless premature babies, thanks to the cloning of human surfactant; and the discovery of the rotavirus vaccine which is now saving hundreds of thousands of lives in more than 100 countries.

Through his thoughtful planning and generous support, Procter's legacy lives on today as Cincinnati Children's continues to solidify our reputation for best-in-class patient care, professional education and research.