NHCC

Community Health Charities Recognize 2011 “Champions in Health”

Back to Blog
by Community Health Charities (Photo credit: Mike Miles) | Feb 28, 2011

NASHVILLE – Some of the most well-known and well-respected health charities in Tennessee honored their “Volunteers of the Year” at the 4th annual Champions in Health Awards Dinner and Celebration hosted by Community Heath Charities of Tennessee (CHC-TN).

The event, which was held on Thursday, February 17, 2011, is a venue through which member charities such as the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Diabetes Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee recognize individual and corporate leaders who have shown outstanding support, engagement and volunteerism in promoting wellness and good health in the their community.

“The Champions in Health” Awards is one of the most important things we do as an organization,” said Susan Garner-Sherrill, Executive Director of Community Health Charities of Tennessee. “We don’t raise money from this event. Our only goal is to honor the companies and individuals that have a significant impact on the health of Tennesseans.  We are pleased to ensure they are acknowledged and thanked for all they do.”

This year’s honorees, as determined by twenty-seven of CHC-TN’s member charities and Community Heath Charities Board, including members from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville Electric Service and SunTrust Bank are:

  • Ben Leedle, CEO Healthways as the “Individual Leader in Health”
  • Unum as the “Corporate Leader in Health” represented by Nancy Medley, Director of Service and Administration

Additional Honorees attending the event:

  • Bernie Sherry, CEO Baptist Hospital March of Dimes Volunteer of the Year and Individual Leader Honorable Mention
  • Mike Stoll, CEO The Little Clinic, Corporate Leader in Health Honorable Mention
  • American General Life and Accident (AGLA), represented by Sharon Roberson, COO, Corporate Leader in Health Honorable Mention

Bob Martineau, Tennessee Commissioner of Environment & Conservation, and immediate past Board President of Community Health Charities welcomed the 200 guests to dinner after a lively cocktail reception with the theme of passion, “Tonight we honor those companies and individuals who have truly made a difference in the lives of others in Tennessee.  Their stories vary greatly, but a common thread is apparent:  passion.  Passion brings out the best in us and causes us to work harder, give more and accomplish much.  This room is filled with caring, passionate people and you will hear how their dedication to a cause produced some amazing results.”

The awards presentation began with a testimonial from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, “The first year Susan G. Komen was a member of CHC-TN they received approximately $9,000.  The second year, they received over $50,000.  I called them to make sure it wasn’t a mistake!  It wasn’t.  I was thrilled beyond measure.  I said it then, but I’ll say it again now, Thank you, CHC, for representing all of your members and doing such a great job for us.”

Nancy Van Camp from WSMV Channel 4, was the event emcee, and as always, did a beautiful job, presenting all 27 Volunteer of the Year Awards and the Honorable Mentions for the Corporate Leaders in Health.

Dr. Reginal Coopwood, CEO of the MED in Memphis and the 2010 Individual Leader in Health, presented Ben Leedle, CEO Healthways with his award for 2011 Individual Leader in Health.  The 2009 Leader in Health, Harry Jacobson, was unable to attend the evening’s festivities.

Others attendees included Rich Ford, President Hylant of Tennessee, Walker Willse of Cassidy Turley, and Walt Downey, VP First Call Ambulance.

The event was held at the Embassy Suites at Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee.

About Community Health Charities
Headquartered in Nashville, TN, Community Health Charities of Tennessee is an affiliate of Community Health Charities of America. The Tennessee affiliate works in partnership with its thirty-nine member charities and seventy-nine corporate partners to improve the lives of people affected by a disability or chronic disease by uniting caring donors in the workplace with the health issues and causes important to them and their families. A full listing of member charities and corporate partners can be found on the organization’s website at www.tennessee.healthcharities.org. For more information, please call 615.915.3750.

Read On