Champions for Kids 

Dr. Richard S. Wolf and Bert Wolf, MT, (ASCP)

In 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the United States, Leave It to Beaver premiered on CBS and the Soviet satellite, Sputnik, launched into space. The same year, a young Richard S. Wolf began his medical residency at the University of Louisville’s Department of Pediatrics, devoting his life to children at what we now know as Kosair Children’s Hospital. Although he has since retired, Dr. Wolf and his wife, Bert, are still extremely involved and supportive of the hospital and the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Each year, they continue to give much time and support to the Festival of Trees & Lights to support Kosair Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Dr. Wolf became medical director for Kosair Children’s Hospital in 1982. For a time, he also kept a private practice, seeing children in his office two afternoons each week, with Bert, a medical technologist, by his side. As the demands of his job grew, Dr. Wolf unselfishly put aside private practice and focused on his administrative role as medical director until his retirement in 1995.

Through the many years of change and growth, much of what we see today when visiting the hospital is due to Dr. Wolf’s commitment to children. He felt a pediatric hospital should have colorful images and pictures on the walls, interesting and creative objects hanging from the ceilings and bright paint to create a welcoming and appealing environment for children and families. His efforts have helped alleviate the anxiety of thousands of children over the years.

The Wolfs have dedicated their professional and personal lives to children as outspoken advocates for child safety, child-abuse prevention and specialized pediatric care. In October 1993, Dr. Wolf spearheaded a partnership with the Jefferson County Public School District, Louisville Metro Government, and many community businesses and agencies to create a miniature city – Safety City – behind Bates Elementary School, 7601 Bardstown Road, to teach  students about pedestrian and vehicle safety through classroom lessons, learning stations and practical exercises using battery-powered mini cars used to travel through a scaled-down version of Louisville, complete with paved streets and sidewalks, working traffic lights and a railroad track.

Through their generous donation of time, money and wise counsel Dr. Richard S. Wolf and Bert Wolf, MT, (ASCP)., are recognized and respected as true Champions for Kids and for specialized pediatric care in our community.