Reactions

I offer my sincere thanks to the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa, and the Government of Abu Dhabi for their exceptionally generous gift to Children's National Medical Center to create the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. The new institute will enable the Center to significantly increase the vital work it is doing to provide world-class care to the children of the world.  It is also a most worthy and appropriate tribute to the life and service to his people of His Highness Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and enlightened ruler of the United Arab Emirates for over 30 years. This gift is another expression of the warm and strong friendship that has always existed between Abu Dhabi and the United States of America.

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Retired), former Secretary of State

Building a long-term, sustainable approach to global health will require new thinking and new partnerships with our allies around the world. This generous gift from the Government of Abu Dhabi represents the type of global vision and innovation that will be needed to make real change. While the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation will be based in Washington D.C., its medical advances will surely have a ripple effect across the country and in all parts of the world.

John J. Hamre, President and CEO, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Children's Hospital has played a vital role in treating children from across the U.S. and around the world for more than a century. Building on the shoulders of philanthropists like Joe Robert, Children's National now will be positioned to lead the way in transforming how we care for our youngest and neediest.

Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, Revolution,
Co-Founder, America Online
Chairman, Case Foundation

Today is a very exciting day for the health care in the District of Columbia. Children's is a world-class institution, and I look forward to learning about the important medical progress that will come as a result of these resources. On behalf of the District residents I represent, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Joseph Robert, Jr. and the Government of Abu Dhabi for this generous donation. 

David Catania, Council of the District of Columbia

The multitude of favorable consequences resulting from a gift of this magnitude are impossible to measure, yet so profoundly important.  These donors will always be proud of this magnificent and generous gift and, most importantly, of the hope and healing it provides for children around the world.

Ernest Rady, namesake donor to Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego