Optum Leader Donates 1,000 Dental Kits to OWS Patients

A huge thank you to Diane N. Marinari from Optum New York/New Jersey, who generously donated 1,000 dental kits to support our patients and primary care program in the Dominican Republic. As Chair of Optum’s Employee Community Council, Diane partners with OWS each year to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for her teammates. Hear from Diane about how volunteering has a positive ripple effect, and how you can get involved today.

Can you describe your background and what inspired you to get involved with One World Surgery?

As an Air Force military dependent and traveling the world at an early age, I saw firsthand how fortunate and privileged we were living in the U.S. with so many advantages and benefits – especially healthcare. Seeing how many communities around the world lacked even the most basic medical resources deeply moved me. Fast forward to one of my roles with OptumCare in Basking Ridge, New Jersey; I chair our Employee Community Council which provides volunteer opportunities to those in need in our communities and beyond. We have partnered with One World Surgery for several years hosting employee volunteer events, including “Patient Kits,” “Eyeglasses Donations,” and “Dental Kits.” I was also given the unique opportunity to support Lisa Holleran, who oversees Optum’s partnership with OWS, and was part of the design team to assist in the build-out of the primary care center in the Dominican Republic and the surgical and primary centers in Honduras.

How did volunteering with OWS have a significant impact on you?

The impact of volunteering on three separate medical missions wasn’t just professional – it was personal. I came back from each mission more grateful, more motivated, and more aware of the global need for kindness and equity in healthcare. Volunteering gave me a deeper appreciation for teamwork, resilience, and cultural humility. Each experience reminded me that even the smallest gesture – listening with empathy, offering a reassuring touch, or providing basic medical care can mean the world to someone with few resources. It’s one thing to work in healthcare from behind a desk, but it’s entirely different to stand face-to-face with someone who has walked miles just for the chance to see a doctor.

What does the spirit of service mean to you?

Whether assembling needed supplies at one of our volunteer events in the office or volunteering on a medical mission, it has allowed me to take the values of my workplace – compassion, relationship, innovation and service – and put them into action in a deeply personal and meaningful way. It’s a chance to use my skills and experience to support OWS communities facing serious health challenges, while also learning from their resilience, culture and strength. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that brings not only medical care and supplies but also hope and human connection to underserved areas. It reminds me that healthcare is not just about what we do, it’s about who we do it for and how we positively impact lives.

Want to get involved or join a medical mission with One World Surgery? Learn more here. 

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