The UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation has announced a $2.5 million gift from trustee Robert A. Pietrandrea and his wife, Christine J. Pietrandrea, to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The gift will support the hospital’s Down Syndrome Center, which provides medical expertise, support, and information to enable children and adults with Down syndrome to lead healthy and productive lives and their families to guide their children along the journey. The funds will establish and endow the center’s medical director position, add a music therapist, and provide endowed funds for the music therapy program and behavioral health resources to offer more patients the benefits of music therapy.

“The positions and programs we have decided to support hold special meaning for me and my family,” said Robert A. Pietrandrea. “Our gift to the Down Syndrome Center is made in honor of our amazing nephew, Adam, who has Down syndrome. I decided to dedicate our gift to music therapy to my wife, Chris, who has a profound love and talent for music.”

(Photo credit: UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh)