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U.S.
Representative Donna M. Christensen highlighted Congress's
response during her keynote address at the opening plenary
session. "As chair of the Health Braintrust of the CBC,
eliminating disparities is not just a plank on our political
agenda. It is a matter of life and death for our constituents
and the communities which need them. The foundation
has an important role to play and so they are an invaluable
partner in improving the quality and the length of lives
of African Americans and other people ofcolor, and in
doing so improving the lives of all Americans," said
Rep. Christensen.
Honors were presented to applaud and encourage leadership
and community action. U.S. Representative Mel Watt received
the Lifetime Achievement Award for commitment to ensuring
quality healthcare and former Speaker of the U.S. House
of Representatives Newt Gingrich, founder of the Center
for Health Transformation, received the Bernardo Alberto
Houssay Award for outstanding contributions to the elimination
of diabetes.
"I
am delighted to receive this honor," said Rep. Watt,
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. "It's great
to know that Members have partners like the Foundation
who are engaged in the community and working to ensure
that all Americans live healthy and long lives."
"Diabetes
and other chronic diseases are placing a tremendous
human and financial burden on populations across the
country, with a particularly devastating effect on minorities,"
said Gingrich. "One of our key goals at the Center for
Health Transformation is the elimination of those disparities
and the associated human tragedy. I am honored to receive
this Award, and I share it with those leaders who are
working with us at the Center
to create a 21st Century Intelligent Health System where
every American - regardless of race, location or income
level -- will experience better health and lower cost
and where health disparities in America will be virtually
eliminated."
Among the 2005 awardees were: B. Waine Kong, Ph.D.,
J.D., Executive Director of the Association of Black
Cardiologists who was honored with the Charles Richard
Drew Award; Elijah Saunders, M.D., Professor of Medicine,
Division of Cardiology, University of Maryland School
of Medicine, received the Daniel Hale Williams Award;
the Santiago Ramon y Cajal Award went to Jane Delgado,
M.D., President of the National Alliance of Hispanic
Health; Ambassador Margaret M. Heckler, former Secretary
of the Department of Health and Human Services, who
received the Visionary award; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
was awarded the Booker T. Washington Award, and Kaiser
Permanente received the Mary Eliza Mahoney Award.
Sponsors of the Summit, included: American Medical Association,
Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb,
Eli Lilly and Company, Kaiser Permanente, McKesson Health
Solutions, Medco Health Solutions, Merck & Co., Ortho
Biotech, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Roche, and Sanofi-Aventis.
"The
American Medical Association is committed to closing
gaps in the delivery of medical care," said AMA President
John C. Nelson, M.D.,M.P.H. "The profession of medicine
plays an important role in confronting health care disparities
to help level the playing field for all patients."
The Foundation also announced its participation in the
Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) program.
The PPA brings together America's pharmaceutical companies,
doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy
organizations and community groups to help qualifying
patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines
they need through the public or private program that's
right for them. Former Washington Redskin Charley Taylor,
former Dallas Cowboys Rayfield Wright, Bob Lilly and
Mel Renfro, Hall of famer Abner Haynes, Sr. and other
members of the Heroes of Football will serve as ambassadors
in communities of color to build awareness about the
prescription drug benefit.
"By
opening access to resources that make life saving medicines
affordable, millions of Americans can be on track to
be more compliant and live healthier lives," said Dr.
Puckrein.
The two-day Summit also featured specials guests Omarosa
Manigault-Stallworth of NBC's the Apprentice, WJLA TV
News anchor Leon Harris, who was master of ceremony
for the Leadership Awards Dinner, former Washington
Redskin Brigg Owens and Vivian Berryhill, President
and Founder of the National Coalition of Pastors' Spouses.
National
Minority Health Month Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization
that promotes the building of coalitions and evidence-based
solutions towards the elimination of health disparities.
www.nmhmf.org
PRESS CONTACT: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 223-7560
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