STORY

Carrying on the legacy of our nation's heroes

May 26, 2017

(L to R): Bruce Jasurda, vice president, Communications, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans; Bonnie Carroll, executive director, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS); Jason Hart, associate director, Marketing, Optum Federal Programs, at the TAPS Honor Guard Gala. UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans was the presenting sponsor of the Gala.

For more than five years, UnitedHealth Group has been honored to support the men and women whose lives are touched by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). As a national organization that provides compassionate care and services free of charge to the families of America's fallen military heroes, TAPS has assisted more than 70,000 surviving family members and their caregivers since 1994. 

UnitedHealth Group employees support a variety of TAPS programs, including:

  • Survivor Seminars and Suicide Survivor Programs, and by providing in-kind clinical expertise and sharing best practices;
  • Lending expertise through Optum Behavioral Health presentations and sharing best practices at annual conferences; and
  • Packing welcome bags at the Foundation's Diverse Scholars Initiative Forum to share with survivors attending the annual TAPS conference.

In addition, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans has been the presenting sponsor of the annual TAPS Honor Guard Gala, held in Washington, D.C., since 2012. Funds raised from the gala provide critical programming TAPS has delivered for 23 years, including a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, Good Grief Camps and immediate and long-term care for families who have lost a loved one in service to our nation.

This past April, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans employees joined more than 800 military survivors, senior Administration and Pentagon officials, and supporters from the business community at the Gala. Before the event, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans nurses and case managers were recognized for their exemplary service to TRICARE beneficiaries by CSM John Troxell, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. CSM Troxell is the highest ranking enlisted member of the U.S. military.

"We are grateful for the support we receive from UnitedHealth Group and its employees. They bring valuable resources and knowledge to our organization and the people we serve," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder.

Through our partnership with TAPS, we are honored to support families and survivors, and help them carry on the legacies of our fallen heroes.