Ronald A. Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aetna Inc., Chairman, Aetna Foundation, Inc. :
All of us at Aetna and the Aetna Foundation believe that good health is an asset that delivers enormous benefits to individuals and communities, and the nation as a whole.
Acting on that belief, we award grants, forge partnerships, and advance innovations that improve health care quality, access and affordability.
For nearly four decades, the Aetna Foundation has been helping to improve the health of our nation and the communities where we live and work, by addressing issues such as health literacy, diversity, community development, and health disparities.
In 2009, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded more than $20 million in grants and sponsorships, with a focus on reducing obesity and improving health care equity.
And Aetna's employees and retirees continued to uphold our long-standing tradition of giving back to communities. Together, they donated a record $4.4 million dollars and volunteered nearly 320,000 hours of their time to various projects, including donating blood, refurbishing homes, and mentoring and tutoring youth.
We continue to provide funding to organizations such as Northwestern University in Chicago, and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, which are spearheading new research programs designed to tackle our nation's toughest health challenges.
These strategic and hands-on efforts, combined with our business knowledge, are helping to position Aetna as a leader in creating solutions for a better health care system.
You can be assured that we will continue to contribute our best ideas, financial support, and volunteer service to make quality health care, and good health habits, a way of life for everyone.
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