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TAMPA, Fla., May 24, 2010 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation have awarded $47,500 to the University of South Florida (USF) Foundation to support the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which is targeting obesity among underserved students in the Tampa area.
The USF Pediatrics Mobile Health Program has provided care to more than 5,000 children and teens since 2006, visiting 59 schools in Hillsborough County and providing the equivalent of more than $1 million in free medical services. A nurse practitioner, pediatric residents and medical and nursing students staff the 40-foot-long Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which is licensed to USF Pediatrics by Ronald McDonald House Charities.® “This generous donation from the Aetna Foundation allows us to provide comprehensive medical care, including weight management, to children and youth who otherwise would not have access to these services. This affiliation with Aetna ensures these children a better quality of life,” said Dr. Lynn Ringenberg, who is medical director of the Care Mobile. “Obesity is one of the biggest health threats we face,” said Mark LaBorde, president of Aetna’s Tampa market. “But it’s a threat that can be battled with education, and that begins in our schools. Aetna is proud to work with USF and its other allies to bring these services to students in the Tampa area.” The Care Mobile is equipped to deliver health services to at-risk children in the communities where they live. USF Pediatrics provides access to effective and high-quality medical care, dental care and health education to children, and also cares for children with special needs, and child victims of domestic violence. Approximately half of the children seen are adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17. About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) is one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities and one of only 25 public research universities nationwide with very high research activity that is designated as community-engaged by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. USF was awarded $380.4 million in research contracts and grants in fiscal year 2008-09. The university offers 232 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. The USF system has a $1.8 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion and serves more than 47,000 students on institutions and campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $379 million in grants and sponsorships. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered nearly 2 million hours since 2003. Our current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information visit www.AetnaFoundation.org. About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.1 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com and Aetna's Annual Report at www.aetna.com/2009annualreport.
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