Hartford, CT (June 22, 2026) — Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only healthcare system dedicated exclusively to the care of children, has received a new seven-figure philanthropic commitment from longtime supporter and advisor Joyce Lagnese. The $1 million gift marks Lagnese’s second personal seven-figure investment in Connecticut Children’s and will support the organization’s new comprehensive campaign.
Lagnese’s latest gift builds on a decades-long history of leadership, service, and generosity to Connecticut Children’s. A member of the Connecticut Children’s Foundation Board of Directors, Lagnese also serves as counsel to Connecticut Children’s and is a founding principal of DanaherLagnese, PC, a prominent law firm with offices in Hartford and Westport.
“Joyce has been a phenomenal advocate and supporter of Connecticut Children’s for decades. She and her family have had an extraordinary and lasting impact on Connecticut Children’s and on the lives of countless children and families across our region,” said Shannon Sullivan, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s. “Her generosity reflects a deep belief in the importance of investing in pediatric care, and her continued leadership will help ensure that Connecticut Children’s can provide close-to-home care for children and families for generations to come.”
Lagnese was influential in her family’s decision to make a $2.5 million gift from the DeSimone Family Trust in 2023 to name the Jerry and RoseMarie DeSimone Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on the sixth floor of Connecticut Children’s new clinical tower. She also made her first personal $1 million gift in 2023, an investment that supported expanded clinical services at Connecticut Children’s.
“I have witnessed the incredible skill and compassion of Connecticut Children’s clinical teams for decades,” said Lagnese. “These remarkable individuals save lives every day, and supporting their work is an investment in the future of our communities. Nothing is more valuable than the health and well-being of children, and I believe it is one of the most meaningful investments anyone can make.”
Her newest $1 million commitment increases Lagnese’s support of Connecticut Children’s 100% Campaign, a comprehensive campaign to fuel Connecticut Children’s most ambitious expansion yet with advanced spaces for life-saving care in a new eight-story, state-of-the-art tower; transformed emergency mental and behavioral healthcare to address the growing pediatric mental health crisis; pioneering research and innovation that’s changing what’s possible in pediatric medicine; and world-class specialty care closer to home for children in the region.
About Connecticut Children’s
Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to kids. That means high-quality care across more than 30 pediatric specialties in 30+ locations throughout Connecticut, Eastern New York, and Western Massachusetts. One team on a mission to improve access to healthcare from before birth and into adulthood. One team pushing the limits with breakthrough research and community partnerships so we can help you focus on what matters most: your family’s wellness journey. When you choose Connecticut Children’s, you can expect care Beyond Imagination.
Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.