Government of Abu Dhabi donates $150 Million to the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington

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Washington, DC – Today at the Children’s National Medical Center the Government of Abu Dhabi announced a $150 million philanthropic donation. Children’s plans to use the donation to open the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. This philanthropic donation is said to be the largest sum of money ever donated to a U.S. children’s hospital. The announcement ceremony brought together a wide range of business and political leaders:  Adrian Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia, H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Joseph E. Robert Jr., Co-Chairman of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, and Richard Snowdon, Chairman of the Children’s National Medical Center Board were just some of the notables in attendance.

An idea stemming from Joseph E. Robert Jr.’s past experience with his son’s illness, the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation will be a research campus geared towards discovering innovative ways to improve treatment methods, reduce the pain of surgery, and increase surgical precision. “Our hope is that this gift will be transformative and lead to new medical technology and breakthroughs that improve health care for children around the world,” said Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba.

The Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation is an example of the U.A.E.’s commitment to the growing U.S.-U.A.E. relationship as well as the betterment of the world. “The U.A.E. is no stranger to setting new standards and today’s donation is another example for the world to follow in helping to end human suffering,” said Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council.