NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050825/CLTH069LOGO )
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 everyday."
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.
SOURCE HCA
Investors: Mark Kimbrough, +1-615-344-2688; Media: Ed Fishbough,
+1-615-344-2810
