Representatives from The Cigna Group Foundation and Cigna Healthcare join U.S. Army veteran Leslie Smith in her newly dedicated, mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home, delivered through the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program.
Brentwood, Tenn., May 12, 2026 — The Cigna Group Foundation helped deliver a mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home for U.S. Army veteran Leslie Smith last week, marking a new chapter for a wounded officer who continues to serve others long after her own injuries. The home was built and dedicated by the Gary Sinise Foundation, supported by a grant from The Cigna Group Foundation as part of its broader commitment to improving veteran mental health through housing stability.
U.S. Army veteran Leslie Smith and Gary Sinise at her home dedication ceremony, celebrating the delivery of her mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home.
“A safe, accessible home is essential to a veteran’s health, independence, and quality of life,” said Ellie Polack, President, The Cigna Group Foundation. “We’re honored to support Leslie Smith’s R.I.S.E. home in Tennessee and to celebrate this milestone with her, her family, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. By working alongside trusted partners, we’re helping veterans continue to serve, lead, and live with confidence.”
After volunteering to deploy in the wake of September 11, Leslie Smith served as a U.S. Army public affairs officer during Operation Joint Forge. Less than a year into her deployment, a life-threatening medical emergency led to extensive treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, ultimately resulting in the loss of her left leg and most of her eyesight. Rather than stepping back, Smith has continued to serve — advocating for veterans and their families, mentoring others navigating recovery, and using her experience to improve care and support for wounded service members. Her new home reflects the resilience, independence, and purpose she continues to build.
“Leslie Smith represents the very best of our nation’s heroes, and on behalf of our founder Gary Sinise and the entire GSF team, it’s an honor for all of us to welcome her home,” said Pete Franzen, Director of the R.I.S.E. Program at the Gary Sinise Foundation. “Through R.I.S.E. and the generosity of our incredible corporate partners like The Cigna Group Foundation, we’re able to provide a home that restores independence and helps families move forward with confidence.”
The R.I.S.E. program builds specially adapted smart homes and provides home modifications, mobility devices, and adaptive technology to help severely wounded veterans live more independently.
Cory Riggs, sales manager at Cigna Healthcare, delivers remarks during the home dedication ceremony, recognizing Leslie Smith and The Cigna Group Foundation’s support of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program.
This dedication is part of The Cigna Group Foundation’s broader investment across Tennessee, building on years of community partnerships, philanthropy, and employee volunteerism statewide.
In 2025 alone, the Foundation and related charitable efforts directed nearly $1.8 million in support across Tennessee, advancing efforts that address key drivers of health, including housing stability, mental health, and access to care.
The Foundation recently expanded its Health Equity Impact Fund to Tennessee, inviting Memphis-based nonprofits to apply for $250,000 in grant funding over two years to support projects focused on increasing access to affordable primary care services or increasing access to healthy foods, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle activities.
About The Cigna Group Foundation
The Cigna Group Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from The Cigna Group (NYSE:CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Group Foundation aims to support, collaborate, and convene with nonprofit organizations addressing society's greatest health challenges. In addition to increasing access to programs and care in geographies demonstrating significant need, the Foundation responds with humanitarian aid relief during critical times and strengthens colleagues' support of causes through matching donations and volunteer rewards. To learn more, visit www.thecignagroup.com/community
About Gary Sinise Foundation
Gary Sinise is an award-winning actor and humanitarian, best known for his roles in CSI:NY, Apollo 13, and his Oscar-nominated performance in the film Forrest Gump as the wounded Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor. An advocate for our nation’s defenders since the 1980s, after 9/11, Sinise began a tireless crusade to support America’s military and first responders around the world with handshake tours and concerts with his band, the Lt. Dan Band. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation as an extension of those efforts. Today, the Foundation is building custom homes for severely wounded heroes, honoring and supporting the families of our fallen, providing essential equipment and training for first responders, improving the mental wellness of our defenders, and so much more. For more information and to support, visit www.garysinisefoundation.org.
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