Our Vision
We envision a community of Arlington Public Schools students in which their health outcomes are not impacted by their income level and insurance status.
About Us
Working together to help uninsured and underinsured students
The Marjorie F. Hughes Fund for Children is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1992 to honor the work of public health physician Marjorie F. Hughes. Dr. Hughes dedicated her career to working with public school students in Arlington, Virginia, and to addressing the health needs of underserved children.
The Marjorie Hughes Fund is made up of Public Health School Nurses, School Health Aides, Arlington Public Schools (APS) staff, and community stakeholders. We work together with pediatric office staff and dental providers.
We pay for required school entry physical exams, sports physical exams, dental treatments, eye exams and glasses, audiologist visits, and assist with the purchase of medications or medical equipment. We also provide round-trip UberHealth rides to doctor and dentist appointments for transportation-challenged families.
Our Mission
The Marjorie F. Hughes Fund for Children promotes the health and well-being of Arlington Public School students through the thoughtful collaboration with public health nurses, APS staff, and community organizations. The fund provides financial resources to support the health care needs of uninsured and underinsured students.
Testimonials
“Without The Marjorie Hughes Fund, my child would be in pain and missing school due to dental cavities and pain. Thank you.”
-Parent of an elementary school student
“I am grateful [our] students have access to The Marjorie Hughes Fund. One of my students was able to get a sports physical to play for the school soccer team this year. Without it, he would not have been able to participate. He asked me several times when tryouts were and was very excited. He was able to get the physical and try out for the team.
-Middle School PE teacher
“Some of these families are going through more than most can imagine. Being uninsured, they cannot afford medical care and initially plan to postpone treatment. Some parents have no choice but to keep their child at home until they feel better or until the parents come up with enough money for the self-pay rate at the doctor’s office. By providing these families with medical care we cut down on the time the child is out of school and prepare them for success. Parents are always thanking me over and over and telling me how much of an impact [The Marjorie Hughes Fund] is in their lives, how blessed they are to have us. In many ways, MHF fills in gaps that other services are unable to fill and it eases the worries of the parents.”
-Elementary school clinic aide