A Cause for Celebration

Honorees with their Awards (From Left to Right), Chris Cashman, EVP Independence Blue Cross; Dr. Allen Ho, Dr. Neva White, Dr. Mark Schutta, and event host William George, CEO of Health Partners Plans.

For the American Diabetes Association’s 75^th anniversary, all year long we have been honoring decades of progress in diabetes treatment, management and quality of life, and our role in these advancements. We have come so far, thanks to our members, volunteers, donors and other supporters. It’s important to recognize these accomplishments on behalf of people living with and affected by diabetes, and we’re holding many events across the country to mark the organization’s major milestone.

Just recently on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the Association’s Philadelphia office held their 75^th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony at the city’s National Constitution Center. This event brought together community influencers from the public and private sectors, state and federal elected officials and many of Philadelphia’s strong community Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure® fundraisers. The venue overlooked the iconic and historic Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution was signed.

“In addition to raising over $300,000 toward our vital mission, this event was a moment for the Philadelphia market to organize and recognize our most dedicated community stakeholders for a celebration of our progress in the field of diabetes,” said Nathan Hughes, Manager, Special Events and Development. “Overlooking Independence Mall, a place historically renowned for innovation, it marked the beginning of a new era of the Association in this region. I hope our 75^th anniversary serves as reminder of where we’ve been, so we can better focus on what comes next.”

One of the many highlights of the event included recognition by Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In his letter to the Association, Biden praised this tremendous milestone. The Vice President also extended his sincere appreciation to the people whose work made the celebration possible.

“It was a great honor to receive recognition from Vice President Biden on behalf of the Association’s 75^th anniversary,” noted Hughes. “He recognizes that the Association is fighting one of the most devastating epidemics facing the country today. I hope the Vice President’s praise empowers and encourages our staff and volunteers to continue their important work.”

A number of other political supporters and constituents formally recognized and thanked the Association for its many years of service, including members of the both the Delaware and Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Governors Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and Jack Markell of Delaware were the Honorary Chairs of the celebration. Other notable attendees included U.S. Senators Bob Casey, Tom Carper and Patrick Toomey; U.S. Representatives Brendan Boyle and Bob Brady; and former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell.

During the ceremony the Association also recognized several area health care innovators with awards.

• Allen Ho, MD, FACS, Distinguished Physician recipient – Dr. Ho is an internationally recognized retina surgeon and Director of Retina Research of Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Kimmel School of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

• Mark Schutta, MD, Distinguished Physician recipient – Schutta is the G. Clayton Kyle Associate Professor of Diabetes at the Perelman School of Medicine’s Division of  Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Neva White, DNP, CRNP-BC, CDE, Distinguished Certified Diabetes Educator recipient – White is the Senior Health Educator at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Center for Urban Health.
  

  Lorina Marshall-Blake, President of Independence Blue Cross’ Foundation; Don Liss, Senior Medical Director IBC; Chris Cashman, Executive Vice President, IBC; Doug Chaet, SVP Provider Networks and Value-Based Solutions, IBC; Scott Post, VP of Corporate and Association Affairs, IBC; Dr. Ron Brooks, Philadelphia CLB Member and Senior Network Medical Director, IBC

• Independence Blue Cross (IBC), Accepted by Executive Vice President Chris Cashman – Independence Blue Cross health insurance organization serves more than 9.5 million people in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the Philadelphia region. As an Association supporter, IBC sets the bar high, as a sponsor, a fundraising team and a collaborative partner, raising over a quarter of a million dollars in recent years as a Step Out team alone.

For more information on the Association’s 75^th anniversary, please visit diabetes.org/75years.

From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2015/10/16/a-cause-for-celebration/