UAE Strengthens Longstanding Children’s National Partnership With $35 Million Gift

Photo courtesy of Children’s National: Attendees of His Highness’ historic visit included (L to R): His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the UAE to the US; His Excellency Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; DeAnn Marshall, MHA, Children’s National Hospital Foundation President; Horacio Rozanski, Children’s National Board Chair; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, Children’s National President and CEO; Kathie Williams, Foundation Board Chair; and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs.

For several decades, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has actively supported advancements in pediatric care at Children’s National Hospital. In September 2024, the UAE expanded its commitment to the hospital with a $35 million gift to support prenatal, neonatal and maternal health initiatives. The announcement of this new donation followed the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent visit to the hospital.

The grant will support the Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute and the Center for Prenatal, Neonatal & Maternal Health Research in studying how perinatal factors impact child development. The partnership is also driving research to develop new and cutting-edge approaches to care for mothers and babies. 

The recent visit highlighted the UAE’s continuous investment in pediatric innovation and its steadfast commitment to supporting UAE-US health and wellness initiatives.

Continuing a Legacy of Innovation and Global Impact

The UAE’s commitment to Children’s National has long been a driving force behind its notable medical advancements. Key events in their partnership over the years have included:

— The UAE’s establishment of a Washington, DC, medical office in 1991, which extended access to quality care for thousands of Emirati children through Children’s National.
— The launch of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation in 2009, made possible by a $150 million gift from the UAE.
— The establishment of the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus in 2019, with the support of a $30 million donation from the UAE.

Reflecting on the impact of these initiatives, UAE Ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al Otaiba, stated, “The lives and health of countless children and families in the Washington area, in the UAE and around the world have been transformed by our partnership. Our continued support promises even more breakthrough innovations in pediatric medicine.”

Fostering a Culture of Compassionate Discovery

With the unwavering support and advocacy from both the Embassy and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan himself, Children’s National Hospital remains at the forefront of pediatric healthcare, advancing a legacy of hope and healing for children worldwide through groundbreaking strategies and remarkable medical innovations.

Learn more about how the UAE is advancing life-saving pediatric care.