March 29, 2011 (BOSTON, MA) – The American Diabetes Association announced Bob Coughlin, lifetime Dedham resident and President and CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, is among the 2011 Father of the Year honorees. Coughlin will be honored at the Father of the Year Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 14, at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center (200 Seaport Boulevard). Also being honored this year are Mike Sheehan, CEO of Hill Holiday, and Patrick Clendenen, Attorney at Law, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.
Each year, the American Diabetes Association partners with the Boston Father’s Day Council to honor men, like Coughlin, on the basis of demonstrated balance of professional success, devotion to their families, and community leadership. As President and CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Coughlin’s mission is to make the state a world center for biotechnology by ensuring each biotechnology company achieves its full research potential.
Coughlin has worked in both the public and private sectors, most recently serving as Undersecretary of Economic Development within Governor Deval Patrick’s administration. Prior to that, he was elected as State Representative to the 11th Norfolk district for three terms.
He has also applied his passion for life sciences to the business world, specializing in the environmental services industry. Coughlin later moved on to capital management and venture capital, holding senior executive positions in both fields. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Coughlin has served on his alma mater’s board and that of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. Since 1996, he has been the honorary chairman of the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk. This past year, he co-chaired the Children’s Hospital Boston signature event, Champions for Children’s. Coughlin resides in Dedham with his wife Christine, and children, MaryKate, Paul and Bobby.
As an honoree, Coughlin has made a commitment to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults. It affects nearly 25.8 million people – 8.3 percent of the population. Of the 25.8 million, 18.8 million have been diagnosed, while 7 million Americans are living with diabetes but remain unaware.
All proceeds from the event will benefit diabetes research, education, and advocacy. The gala event will feature heartwarming tribute videos for each honoree, remarks by their families, and the presentation of the Father of the Year Tribute Trophy. Honors are accepted before an audience of the honorees’ family members, colleagues, friends, and other supporters of the American Diabetes Association.
For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, and to purchase tickets, please contact Jessica Gurman at 617-482-4580 ext. 3502 or visit www.diabetes.org/foty.
About the Boston Father’s Day Council
The Boston chapter of the National Father’s Day Council is a volunteer organization that annually honors individuals who exemplify outstanding commitment to children, family and community. The National Father’s Day Council was established in 1931. It holds Father of the Year awards events in 29 cities across the nation. National honorees have included John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Colin Powell, Jack Lemmon, George Foreman, and Wolf Blitzer.
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.
