The United Health Foundation Helps Our Communities Thrive

In our Corporate Partner Spotlight, we interview corporate leaders about what inspires them to serve as advocates and ambassadors for children's health. This month, we spoke with Anne Yau, president of the United Health Foundation.

As the philanthropic arm of UnitedHealth Group, the United Health Foundation proudly partners with Children's National Hospital to give every child in the Washington, D.C., metro area access to world-class pediatric healthcare through support of our Mobile Health Program and other initiatives.

Why does the United Health Foundation choose to support Children's National?

Children's National is committed to delivering exceptional pediatric care and holds deep roots in the communities it serves. We share an innovative spirit and a mutual focus on meeting families where they are.

Our partnership has grown from responding to the immediate needs during the COVID-19 pandemic to deeper cross-sector collaboration that brings education and healthcare together — helping identify care gaps, expand access to preventive care, and connect families to social supports. As the work evolved, our goal has remained constant: to make it easier for children to get the right care at the right time so they can thrive.

Thanks to support from the United Health Foundation, how does our Mobile Medical Program make quality care more accessible to kids across our community?

The Mobile Medical Program brings comprehensive healthcare directly to children in their own neighborhoods, schools and community centers. Through the mobile units, Children's National physicians and healthcare professionals provide many primary care services, including well visits, behavioral health evaluations, immunizations, screenings and referrals for specialty care when needed. By reducing barriers to care, such as transportation and time away from school or work, the program helps the region's kids live their healthiest lives and supports their readiness to learn.

What is the most rewarding part of working with Children's National?

This partnership has allowed us to build relationships with the Children's National care team and see their amazing dedication, deep clinical expertise and enduring commitment to kids firsthand. We are incredibly proud to support their work and invest in efforts to help build healthier communities.

We have built great momentum by bringing together education and healthcare leaders. Since 2021, more than 5,300 students have received care through this partnership, and we have seen measurable reductions in school absenteeism. The unique collaboration with local schools, faith-based organizations and other community partners can serve as a model for other communities seeking ways to help kids thrive.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned from your time partnering with the hospital?

In the years since our partnership began, staying flexible and adapting to changing circumstances have been keys to success. While none of us want to face another global pandemic, the experience reinforced the importance of staying true to our mission, attentive to community needs, and adapting programs to meet the moment and the future.