Children's of Alabama Honors Protective Life Corporation for Reaching $1 Million Milestone

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Protective Life Corporation, a longstanding supporter of Children’s of Alabama, was presented with a plaque on the Pillars of the Community display in the hospital to represent their cumulative gifts of more than $1 million to Children’s.

“Protective Life has been part of the Children’s mission for decades, and we are thankful for their continued support,” said Mike Warren, President and CEO, Children’s of Alabama. “Whether through financial contributions or donation of time and talent, thousands of children in Alabama and across the Southeast receive the best possible healthcare every year thanks to the generosity of our partners like Protective.”

Protective was an early and significant sponsor of the Festival of Trees, Children’s’ largest community fundraising event for 30 years. Today Protective continues their support by sponsoring the annual Trick-or-Treat Parade at Halloween and as the presenting sponsor of The Children’s Ball.

Employees from Protective are also active participants on the Board of Directors and in the Committee for the Future program. Jane French, who formerly served as Protective’s community engagement director, served on the Children’s Board for 23 years, and today, Rich Bielen, Protective President and CEO, is an active Trustee and will assume the Board Chair position at Children’s in 2022.

“At Protective, serving people is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA, and we are honored to be a small part of the amazing work that Children’s does each and every day,” said Rich Bielen, President and CEO, Protective. “Children’s is one of the greatest assets in our headquarter city, Birmingham. We’re proud to be a longstanding partner and look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”

Toshiaki Sumino, President and CEO, Dai-ichi Life Insurance of North America, joined Protective leadership for the pillar presentation. Protective is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. Dai-ichi upholds a similar commitment to serving communities, and they were delighted to celebrate this milestone with Protective.

Plaques throughout the hospital signify Protective’s donations to hospital capital campaigns over the years, and Children’s is honored to add Protective to another plaque, the Pillars of the Community, signifying their cumulative contributions totaling more than $1 million to Children’s of Alabama.

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states last year, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5 million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. It is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s of Alabama’s full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.