HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital receives $1 million donation from retired anesthesiologist

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A retired HSHS St. John's anesthesiologist celebrated his 80th birthday in style by gifting the hospital a special present.

HSHS said that Dr. Babu Prasad donated $1 million to the St. John's Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The donation will fund lifesaving equipment and technology, including a new additional temperature-controlled bed for ambulances transporting newborns to the NICU.

The St. John's Foundation will have a separate donor wall honoring Prasad in the children's hospital lobby.

"St. John’s gave me an opportunity. It is my life’s dream to give that same opportunity to St. John’s babies and their families," Prasad said in a statement.

According to HSHS, the NICU serves families within 90 miles of Springfield.