The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative’s second anniversary celebration was a huge success. Over 300 guests gathered at Seasons in Washington Township and raised more than $200,000 to enable BVMI to continue to provide quality healthcare to working, low-income Bergen County residents who have no health insurance or the means to pay for care.
Michael Azzara, Chair of the Board of Trustees, recognized the strong support of Medco Health Solutions and BD who were Pacesetters for the event. He also thanked everyone who advertised in the journal, bought tickets, sent a donation or helped volunteer to plan the event for their remarkable support during these challenging economic times.
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| Elaine and Mike Adler with Norma Gindes, Executive Director of BVMI |
Community Leadership Award
Six physicians who volunteer their time and expertise to BVMI received the Community Leadership Award. Pamela T. Miller, Esq., Vice President, Medco Health Services, and Executive Director, of the Medco Foundation, presented the awards. The honorees include:
- Paul E. Berman, O.D., Focus Eye Health & Vision Care, Hackensack, who has consistently seen two patients every week for an eye examination and, when indicated, has provided a free pair of glasses.
- Richard Goldweit, MD, cardiologist, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, for saving the lives of at least two BMVI patients and for recruiting colleagues at EHMC to participate.
- Scott David Lippe, MD, Bergen Regional Medical Center, for performing a number of colonoscopies and treating several cases of Hepatitis C.
- Lisa Ann Miller, MD, Hackensack University Medical Center, for providing complete examinations and follow-through for six women every other week at the BVMI Health Center.
- John Poole, MD, Holy Name Medical Center, for providing surgical services for several BVMI patients.
- Mitchell J. Rubinoff, MD, The Valley Hospital, for the diagnosis and treatmentof problems requiring extensive treatment and follow-up care.
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| Recipients of the Community Service Award (L to R): Mitchell J. Rubinoff, MD; John Poole, MD; Lisa Ann Miller, MD; Scott David Lippe, MD; Richard Goldweit, MD; Paul E. Berman, OD; and Arthur De Simone, MD |
Corporate Spirit of Giving Award
Two corporations were honored for invaluable contributions to BVMI. In presenting the awards, Joe Rutch, Administrator, Borough of Cliffside Park, stated that “philanthropic participation by the private sector is vital to BVMI.” The honorees include:
- Brach Eichler LLC, for its ongoing pro bono legal services to BVMI. Burt Eichler, Esq., 1933-2009, received the award In Memoriam for establishing the relationship and providing valued guidance, insight and advice to BVMI. John Fanburg, Managing Member, accepted the award.
- Medco Health Solutions for working with BVMI to ensure access to affordable, high-quality prescription drugs for our patients and for support of health education initiatives. Glen Stettin, Sr., MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Medical Affairs, Medco, accepted the award on behalf of David B. Snow, Jr., Chairman and CEO.
We especially want to thank Medco and BD, our Pacesetter Sponsors.
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