HealthAmerica And HealthAssurance Employee Receives Breath Of Life Service Award
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Michele St. Pierre, R.N., a case manager in HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance's Utilization Management department, received on Nov. 19 the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania's (ALAPA) Breath of Life Service Award for outstanding volunteer service.
The Breath of Life Service Award is presented to one ALAPA volunteer from each Pennsylvania office annually. The award recognizes outstanding service on the local level by an individual or group.
"The commitment of individuals like Michele is the backbone of ALAPA community programs and our fundraising efforts throughout the year," said Kathy Fackler, ALAPA's chief executive officer. "Our success would not be possible without people who volunteer their time, energy and creativity toward helping us prevent lung disease and promote lung health."
Michele's volunteer activities are a natural extension of her work at HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance where she is an asthma/COPD case manager. She helps members with respiratory disease learn how to self manage their illness and she helps guide them through the health care process.
"Working with people who have respiratory problems made me see the importance of the American Lung Association's work," said Michele. "Many of these conditions are treatable, and with the right education we can help prevent premature deaths and help people live fuller lives. I'm honored to receive this award."
At the ALAPA, Michele has worked on numerous fundraisers including the Asthma Walk and the Sapphire Gala.
"Michele is a selfless and dedicated employee who leads through example," said Francis S. Soistman, Jr., president and CEO of HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance. "Her commitment to helping people live healthier lives -- at work and outside of work -- is exemplary."
For more information about the American Lung Association or to find an Asthma Walk in your community, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org/ .
About HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance
HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc., has a 29-year record in managed care. HealthAmerica, HealthAssurance Pennsylvania, Inc., and affiliate companies cover over 735,000 members in Pennsylvania and Ohio through HMO, POS, PPO, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans. In addition, HealthAmerica earned an "Excellent" Accreditation for its HMO plan and HealthAssurance earned an "Excellent" Accreditation for the HealthAssurance POS by the National Committee for Quality
Assurance, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health care. With corporate offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance provide managed health care products and services to over 11,000 employers in Pennsylvania and Ohio. HealthAmerica and its affiliates employ over 1,500 people in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit HealthAmerica's website at http://www.healthamerica.cvty.com/ .
About the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania
The American Lung Association of Pennsylvania (ALAPA) is a charitable health organization dedicated to preventing lung disease and promoting lung health, through research, education, advocacy and community service. Founded in 1892 to fight tuberculosis, ALAPA today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. ALAPA is supported by donations to Christmas Seals(R) and other voluntary contributions. You may obtain additional information via their web site at http://www.lunginfo.org/ , or visit their national website at http://www.lungusa.org/ . The official registration and financial information of the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
HealthAmerica and HealthAssuranceCONTACT: Kendall Marcocci, Director of Communications of HealthAmericaand HealthAssurance, +1-717-540-6746, or kmarcocci@cvty.com