DETROIT, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- A $40,000 annual award program to promote research seeking ways to improve health and medical care in Michigan will be named after former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Board Chairman Frank J. McDevitt, DO, who died earlier this year.
Beginning in 2005, the BCBSM Foundation’s Frank J. McDevitt Excellence in Research Award for Health Services, Policy & Clinical Care will present four $10,000 awards each year for excellence in research to physician or doctoral- level researchers to conduct research on health services, policy or clinical care.
A former president of the American Osteopathic Association, McDevitt served on the BCBSM Foundation board for 20 years, including the past 10 years as chairman of the Board and Grants Committee.
“Frank McDevitt will always be remembered as an integral part of the Blues,” said Ira Strumwasser, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. “This tribute recognizes his commitment to supporting research that contributed to knowledge and improved the quality of and access to health care for the uninsured and under-served.”
Applications for the 2005 award program must be received by Jan. 1, 2005. Awards will be granted during the second quarter of 2005. Information and application instructions for the award program may be found on the BCBSM Foundation’s Web site at http://www.bcbsm.com/foundation .
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents through the support of research and innovative health programs. BCBSM Foundation grant programs are conducted in Michigan by Michigan-based researchers and nonprofit organizations to address issues of quality and costs of care, access to care, and community health. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsm.com/foundation .
The BCBSM Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, incorporated separately from BCBSM. The Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. None of the BCBSM Foundation’s grant-making resources come from BCBSM customer premium payments. The BCBSM Foundation was funded through an endowment from Michigan physicians in 1983 and from proceeds of an earlier prescription drug lawsuit settlement.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
CONTACT: Cheryl McDonald of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,+1-313-225-8121, MediaRelations@bcbsm.com
