MINNEAPOLIS, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Abbott Northwestern Hospital Foundation has named VJ Smith and John Munger as the recipients of the 2005 Mayor's Healthy City award. The award recognizes individuals who have carried out extraordinary work to make Minneapolis a world-class healthy city.
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VJ Smith, winner of the seasoned leader award, is the founder and president of the Minneapolis Chapter of MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction- Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder). After running away from foster care at age 9, Smith was involved with gangs and drugs. Now his life's work is helping troubled youth, prostitutes and drug dealers and encouraging them to change their lives in a positive way.
John Munger, winner of the emerging leader award, is founder, director and fundraiser of the City of Lakes Loppet, the largest urban cross-country ski race in North America. Munger is also a founder and the president of the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation, a board member of the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society and is involved with the Above the Falls Citizen's Advisory Committee. In addition, Munger is a litigator and provides pro bono work for children's social services agencies.
To honor the recipients, the Mayor's Healthy City Award Reception, sponsored by Wells Fargo, was held on Tuesday, May 17 at the Depot in Minneapolis. Proceeds from the event will benefit Abbott Northwestern's Medicine Clinic, the residency teaching clinic that serves the community. Operated through Abbott Northwestern's Residency Education program, the Medicine Clinic provides resident physicians clinical experience caring for a diverse population. It provides patients with a primary care physician who supports them through the health care process.
Minneapolis-based Abbott Northwestern Hospital is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services. Abbott Northwestern is found online at http://www.abbottnorthwestern.com/ .
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000407/ALLINAHCLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comAbbott Northwestern Hospital FoundationCONTACT: Jennifer Syltie Johnson of Abbott Northwestern Hospital MediaRelations, +1-612-863-4801 (phone), or +1-612-654-7488 (pager)
Web site: http://www.abbottnorthwestern.com/