We Will Never Forget. Twenty-Five Years and Counting.

Glen Tullman, Chief Executive Officer, Transcarent

Twenty-five years ago, I was a much younger CEO getting ready to fly to New York for an investor meeting at the World Trade Center on September 11th.

I was supposed to fly in the night before, so I could be early to the meeting, but my daughter had a volleyball game and asked me to stay and watch her play. As a parent, it’s important to never miss an opportunity to be there for your kids, especially when they ask. So, I changed my plans and decided to fly on the first flight the next morning instead. On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was at the airport waiting to board my flight to New York when all the departure screens went dark and the world changed.

Like so many Americans, that day became very personal for our family. I lost friends, including one who left behind three young children, almost exactly the same ages as my own.

And 9/11 changed the course of my family in another way. My daughter ultimately chose to serve our country and spent years in the Middle East focused on counterterrorism. I remain incredibly proud and inspired by her service and of the millions of Americans who have answered that same call in different ways.

In the days and weeks after 9/11, the American spirit was captured in a remarkable way. Neighbors helping neighbors. First responders running toward danger. People putting differences aside and remembering that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

We also learned how fear, anger, and tragedy can shape decisions for years to come. Our country entered a war that lasted two decades, with significant consequences for Americans and people all over the world.

Anniversaries like this give us a moment to remember . . . but also to reflect.

Part of the American promise is the belief that we can keep building something better, even when it’s difficult. For all of us at Transcarent, that has a very specific meaning. In a country with the resources, talent, technology, and innovation we have, every person should be able to easily access high-quality, affordable health and care. That promise is still far from fulfilled, and that makes it even more important to keep working toward it.

It’s why the work of each of our team members matters. Every time we make health and care easier to access, higher quality, more affordable, more understandable, and more personalized, we are doing our part to build a future that all Americans deserve.

Today, I’m thinking about the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11th, the families who have carried those losses for 25 years, and the first responders and survivors who continue to live with the health consequences of that day. And, I remain grateful for the firefighters, police officers, members of our military, intelligence professionals, healthcare workers, and so many others who stepped forward that day and in the years that followed to serve and protect others. And they do so today and every day.

We learned that day that every day is a blessing and shouldn’t be taken for granted. We need to make the most of the time we’re given and use our efforts to make a positive change. If you are at Transcarent, you are a part of that positive change and a brighter future.