Sun Life U.S. announces continued support of the Gap Year Program at Northeastern University's Roux Institute in honor of recently retired company president, Dan Fishbein, M.D.

Sun Life U.S. (SLF) announced continued support for Northeastern University's Roux Institute Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program on March 31, 2026, honoring recently retired president Dan Fishbein, M.D.

Rhea-AI Summary

Sun Life U.S. (SLF) announced continued support for Northeastern University's Roux Institute Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program on March 31, 2026, honoring recently retired president Dan Fishbein, M.D. The company has backed the program since 2023, helping place more than 80 graduates in frontline health roles across Maine.

The program addresses staffing gaps in hospitals, clinics, specialty sites and dental practices, including rural and underserved areas, and most participants intend to continue careers in healthcare.

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News Market Reaction – SLF

In the Apr 1 session, SLF gained 0.62%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Sun Life U.S.’s continued support of the Roux Institute’s Gap Year Prog...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Sun Life U.S.’s continued support of the Roux Institute’s Gap Year Program, which has placed more than 80 professionals into frontline health roles since its 2023 launch. It underscores a multi-year partnership dating back to 2020 and fits a broader theme of improving access to care in Maine and underserved areas. Investors monitoring SLF may track how such community and healthcare initiatives complement the firm’s broader growth, dental, and asset management strategies over time.

Key Figures

Gap Year placements: more than 80 professionals Program launch year: 2023 Sun Life support start: 2023 +5 more

Gap Year placements

more than 80 professionals

Participants placed in health service roles with program support

Program launch year

2023

Roux Institute Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program launch

Sun Life support start

2023

Year Sun Life began supporting the Gap Year Program

President tenure

11 years

Tenure of retired Sun Life U.S. president Dan Fishbein

Program duration

third year

Current year of operation for the Gap Year Program

Initial partnership year

2020

Year Sun Life first partnered with the Roux Institute

AI conference year

2023

Roux Institute "The State of AI in Maine" conference

Access to care event year

2025

Co-hosted event on access to care in Maine featuring Gap Year participants

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 30

5 events

1. Mar 30

   Leadership appointment

   24h Move

   +0.9%

   Named new president for U.S. Dental business overseeing growth and strategy.

2. Mar 24

   Annual reports

   24h Move

   -0.4%

   Released 2025 Annual and Sustainability Reports with $1.6T AUM and growth highlights.

3. Mar 24

   AGM announcement

   24h Move

   -0.4%

   Announced details and materials availability for 2026 shareholder and policyholder meetings.

4. Mar 23

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   +1.7%

   CEO scheduled for fireside chat at National Bank financial services conference.

5. Mar 16

   Community program

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Celebrated Fit to Win youth program with Maine Celtics and over 2,600 participants.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

artificial intelligence (AI), actuarial training program, bioengineering

3 terms

artificial intelligence (AI) technical

"Sun Life has also participated in the Roux Institute's research on artificial intelligence (AI)"

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. For investors, AI can enhance how businesses analyze data, automate processes, and innovate, potentially leading to increased efficiency and new opportunities in the market.

actuarial training program financial

"Sun Life first partnered with the Roux Institute in 2020 to deliver an actuarial training program"

An actuarial training program is a structured course of study and hands-on practice that trains employees to measure and manage financial risks using math, probability and statistics. For investors, it signals that a company is building internal expertise to price products, set aside the right amount for future claims or obligations, and make more reliable forecasts—like teaching a crew to read a complex instrument panel so the ship runs safer and costs are more predictable.

bioengineering medical

"associate professor of bioengineering at Northeastern University's Roux Institute"

Bioengineering applies engineering principles to living systems to design, build, or improve biological products and technologies such as engineered tissues, medical devices, diagnostics, and biologic drugs. Investors care because bioengineering choices shape a product’s technical feasibility, development cost, regulatory hurdles and potential market size—like choosing a construction method that determines how fast, expensive, and safe a building will be to put on the market.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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The Roux Institute runs a program that helps expand access to care throughout Maine

PORTLAND, Maine, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of recently retired company president, Dan Fishbein, M.D., Sun Life U.S. has announced continued support of the Roux Institute's Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program, which places recent college graduates in front-line roles in healthcare. Sun Life started supporting the Gap Year program when it was launched in 2023, as part of the company's philanthropic efforts to help people access healthcare services.

Fishbein, who recently retired from Sun Life after an 11-year tenure as president, has been a champion of the Gap Year Program, supporting Sun Life's strategy over the last several years around improving access to care. With Sun Life's support, the Gap Year program has placed more than 80 professionals in health service roles and has continued growing its partnership base with medical and dental clinics around Maine.

"For the past decade, Dan deftly grew our strategy of connecting our benefits and health services to the broader healthcare ecosystem and exploring ways to improve access," said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. "Supporting the Roux's Gap Year program has been an important part of that strategy, and we are pleased to support its growth, particularly as Dan leaves us a legacy that we will continue to build on: helping people get the care and coverage they need."

Now in it's third year, the Gap Year Program helps address staff shortages in care delivery settings, filling roles in hospitals, health clinics, specialist care sites and dental practices throughout Maine, including rural and underserved areas. After completing the program, nearly every participant has confirmed they intend to continue pursuing careers in healthcare.

"My experience this past year has truly been the best," said program participant Jillian Fitzpatrick. "Working at the Knox Clinic and the resources the Roux provided have helped me grow as a future dentist. This incredible experience has helped build my confidence as I continue my education path." Fitzpatrick was a participant in the first year of the Rou's Gap Year Program. She is now in dental school.

"With Sun Life's support, we have been able to grow the Gap Year program and increase the availability of providers in parts of the state where people have limited access to medical or dental care," said Aileen Huang-Saad, director of Life Sciences, Health & Engineering and associate professor of bioengineering at Northeastern University's Roux Institute. "While Maine has one of the largest rural and aging populations, we know this need exists across the country. Our hope is that universities in other states will adopt similar approaches to help fill the country's gaps in healthcare access in rural and underserved communities."

Based in Portland, Maine, Northeastern University's Roux Institute offers graduate degrees in analytics, AI, computer science, project management, life sciences, and other technical fields. Sun Life first partnered with the Roux Institute in 2020 to deliver an actuarial training program for employees. Sun Life has also participated in the Roux Institute's research on artificial intelligence (AI), its 2023 conference, "The State of AI in Maine," and co-hosted an event in 2025 on addressing access to care in Maine, featuring Gap Year participants.

Sun Life focuses on building and supporting programs that address access to care at the community level. Additional partners in Maine include the Maine Celtics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and Spurwink Services.

About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.60 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 48 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contact

Devon Fernald
Sun Life U.S.
Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com
781-800-3609

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Sun Life U.S. (SLF) announce about the Roux Institute Gap Year Program on March 31, 2026?

Sun Life U.S. announced continued funding and support for the Roux Institute Gap Year Program in honor of Dan Fishbein. According to the company, Sun Life has supported the program since 2023 and helped place more than 80 recent graduates into frontline healthcare roles across Maine.

How many participants has the Roux Institute Gap Year Program placed with Sun Life support (SLF)?

The program has placed more than 80 participants in healthcare roles to date. According to the company, placements span hospitals, clinics, specialist sites and dental practices across rural and underserved areas of Maine.

Why is Sun Life U.S. (SLF) supporting the Gap Year Program at Northeastern's Roux Institute?

Sun Life supports the program to improve access to care and build healthcare workforce capacity in underserved regions. According to the company, this aligns with its strategy to connect benefits and health services to the broader healthcare ecosystem.

What kinds of roles do Gap Year participants fill with Sun Life (SLF) support in Maine?

Participants fill frontline positions in hospitals, health clinics, specialist care sites and dental practices. According to the company, roles target parts of the state with limited access to medical and dental care, including rural and aging communities.

How does the Gap Year Program impact participants' career plans after completion, per Sun Life (SLF)?

Nearly every participant intends to continue pursuing careers in healthcare after the program. According to the company, alumni report increased confidence and practical experience, with examples including participants entering professional programs such as dental school.

What is the connection between Dan Fishbein and Sun Life's support for the Roux Institute program?

Sun Life continued support honors Dan Fishbein, who recently retired after 11 years as company president and championed the Gap Year initiative. According to the company, Fishbein helped grow the strategy of linking benefits, health services and access to care.