BOSTON, MA . — [January 23, 2025] — “Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit organization that matches children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with collegiate athletic teams for mentorship, emotional support, and friendship, is proud to announce a new partnership with Children’s National Hospital, one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals. This collaboration will create unique, life-changing experiences for young patients by pairing them with local college sports teams for year-round mentorship and emotional support.
This partnership represents Children’s National’s commitment to amplifying the therapeutic and community-building benefits of sport through Team IMPACT’s unique program. By formalizing and deepening the existing relationship between the two organizations, this collaboration seeks to enrich the pediatric healthcare offerings at Children’s National, while also fostering inclusivity, resilience, and leadership in young patients. Together, Children’s National and Team IMPACT are committed to helping children feel empowered and supported, both within the hospital and beyond.
A Shared Commitment to Child-Focused Healthcare and Community Well-Being
Rooted in the shared mission of promoting the health and well-being of children, this partnership will leverage both organizations’ core values: providing inclusive healthcare, fostering community connections, and developing the next generation of leaders. Through this alliance, Children’s National will act as a model for other pediatric healthcare facilities nationwide, while Team IMPACT will benefit from Children’s National’s leadership in pediatric care and its strong ties to the local community.
“We are thrilled to partner with Team IMPACT to give our patients an opportunity to connect with college athletic teams for a truly unique experience,” said Nathaniel Beers, MD, MPA, FAAP, executive vice president of Community and Population Health. “Providing strong social-emotional support is essential to fostering their overall health and well-being.”
Empowering Patients through Sport and Community Engagement
The primary objective of this partnership is to create meaningful opportunities for CNH patients and their families to experience the benefit of team, fostering lasting relationships that promote mental and emotional well-being. The partnership will also include a range of initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the program within the CNH community, including communications to caregivers, clinicians, and families helping to expand patient offerings and enhance their Children’s National experience.
Ambassadorship, Advocacy, and Clinical Collaboration
In addition to supporting individual patients, the partnership will include robust efforts to build a culture of ambassadorship, with Children’s National and Team IMPACT working together to share resources, foster professional development, and advocate for systemic changes that support access to care. The two organizations will explore opportunities for joint disease education campaigns and research collaborations aimed at enhancing the psychosocial well-being of Children’s National’s community. This partnership also opens the door to a variety of volunteer and professional development opportunities for both Children’s National’s staff and Team IMPACT’s student-athlete community, further strengthening the collaboration’s impact on the broader community.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Children’s Health and Wellness
As the partnership moves forward, both organizations will continue to explore new opportunities to enhance the care and support provided to children facing serious illness and disability. Together, Children’s National and Team IMPACT are committed to advancing a model of care that combines the best of healthcare, sport, and community engagement to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people and their families.
To learn more about Team IMPACT or get involved, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT’s unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,500 children with 750+ colleges and universities in 50 states, impacting more than 95,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
About Children’s National Hospital
Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is one of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Instituteand Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. In 1987, Children’s National founded Safe Kids Worldwide, a non-profit dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries among children through comprehensive national and global education, research and advocacy. As a non-profit, Children’s National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.
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Media Contacts:
Jenna Camann, Team IMPACT: [email protected]
Shannon Cross, Children’s National Hospital: [email protected]
