HCA today announced the recipients of the 2008 Frist Humanitarian Award.
Michael J. Wawrzewski III, a Physician Assistant at Wesley Medical
Center in Wichita, Kansas, Lynn Poe, a volunteer at Coliseum Northside
Hospital in Macon, Ga., and Laurence Lesser, M.D., a Staff Physician at
Emory Eastside Medical Center in Snellville. Ga., were honored today
during a ceremony in Nashville.
Established in 1971, the awards honor outstanding individuals for their
humanitarian and volunteer activities. The Frist Humanitarian Awards are
given annually in recognition of the caring spirit and philanthropic
work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., a founder of HCA. Employees,
volunteers and physicians who demonstrate commitment and dedication to
providing care and humanitarianism are selected from around the country
and honorees are recognized at the local level. The three national
recipients are selected from more than 230 local honorees.
The highest honor HCA employees, volunteers and physicians can receive,
the Frist Humanitarian Award includes a $5,000 donation to the charity
of the recipient’s choice and $5,000 in cash for the employee and
volunteer. The physician honoree receives a $10,000 donation to their
charity of choice.
In 1996, Wesley Medical Center Physician’s Assistant Michael J.
Wawrzewski III went on a mission trip to Bolivia, and he was dismayed by
the lack of basic medical care. That experience planted the seed for
Hospitals of Hope, a Christian non-profit organization that Michael
founded to provide free medical care to the poor in countries like
Bolivia and Liberia. Under his leadership, Hospitals of Hope recently
built a modern Level II trauma hospital in Bolivia that has provided
free healthcare services to more than 100,000 patients. Michael also
created “Clinic in a Can” which transforms semi-trailers or shipping
containers into medical and dental clinics that provide essential
medical services in places like Haiti.
Michael’s compassion also touches those closer to home. He established
the Wichita Hospital of Hope network to provide free medical equipment
to local clinics serving the uninsured. He also helped lead an effort
that raised more than $30,000 for tornado victims in Greensburg, Kansas.
“Michael has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and compassion,
dedicating his life to caring for others,” said Richard M. Bracken,
President and Chief Executive Officer of HCA. “He is a wonderful
representative of HCA and our colleagues across the country who make
patients’ lives better every day.”
Lynn Poe worked as a nurse at Coliseum Northside Hospital for 25 years
before she retired in 2004. The very next day, however, she signed up as
a volunteer at the hospital. Lynn now works in the hospital gift shop,
helps with charity fundraisers, assists with blood pressure checks and
screenings at the annual Health Fair, and more.
Lynn also reaches out to neighbors, elderly acquaintances and even
four-legged friends. She created a “Sitters Ministry” to relieve family
members who are caring for loved ones, rallying her Mabel White Memorial
Baptist Church “Women of Faith” Sunday School class to help. She has
also volunteered at Heartland Hospice on weekends, visiting patients and
helping with clerical work.
“Lynn has lived our mission as a nurse for many years, and she continues
to do that as a volunteer, touching countless lives,” said Bracken. “She
continues to inspire the people around her through her compassion for
people in need, and we are thrilled to recognize her today for her
innumerable contributions.”
Laurence “Lanny” Lesser, M.D., a cardiologist at Emory Eastside Medical
Center, co-founded the Gwinnet Community Clinic in 1989. Staffed by
volunteer physicians, nurses and pharmacists, the clinic provides
state-of-the-art care to thousands of Gwinnet residents who otherwise
could not afford it. In addition to volunteering at the clinic on his
own time, Dr. Lesser serves as the medical director and volunteer
physician for Big Heart camp, a summer camp for children and adults with
special health needs, and he works to provide healthcare and supplies
for people in Eastern Europe.
Equally dedicated to his profession, Dr. Lesser eagerly shares his
expertise. He offers leadership to the Department of Medicine and has
been a member of the Medical Executive Committee for nearly 20 years. In
addition, Dr. Lesser mentors medical students, holds in-services for
hospital staff on new techniques and procedures, and provides EKG and
EMT training to the local fire department.
“Lanny exemplifies the selfless devotion to others shared by physicians
everywhere,” said Bracken. “Whether through directly caring for
patients, his leadership on Emory Eastside’s Medical Executive Committee
or his community service, he is a living example of our mission.”
All references to “Company” and “HCA” as used throughout this
document refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Mark Kimbrough
615-344-2688
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ed Fishbough
615-344-2810