Health Plus - Brooklyn's "Man Of The Year"

For Immediate Release

Brooklyn's "Man Of The Year"
Health Plus's Executive Director Honored For Compassion

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Brooklyn, NY - June 10, 2004 — To be recognized as "Man of the Year" and to be awarded a citation from the Brooklyn Borough President all in one night would be enough to make anyone feel good. And sure, it makes Tom Early, Executive Director for Health Plus, feel good, but he doesn't get up every morning for the accolades.

That's because he leads New York City's largest provider of government sponsored insurance. Tom gets enough satisfaction out of knowing that his company keeps a quarter-million New Yorkers healthy, happy, and strong. Nonetheless, it was sweet icing on the cake as Early received "Man of the Year" and a Citation from Brooklyn Borough Hall during last night's Madison Square Boys and Girls Club 78th Annual Benefit and Silent Auction, at the El Caribe Country Club.

Additional honorees included Gina L. Bolden-Rivera, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Community Capital Bank, who received "Woman of the Year". The Community Service Award went to Russell Carter, Vice President of Community Affairs for Delta Funding Corporation.

"It pleases me that Brooklyn and the community recognize me and Health Plus for all the hard work we do," said Early. Referring to the children of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, dressed in shirts and hair adornments they created themselves, and who performed a unique and lovely version of Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" for the event attendees, Early continued, "Seeing the kids here tonight performing and laughing, reminds me of why Health Plus is in this business in the first place."

Last night's event turned out to be all about the kids, too, as three outstanding Brooklyn high school seniors and members of the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, were awarded scholarships. To the audiences surprise, Early announced would tack on an additional $500 to each individual scholarship. This led the two other honorees to match his contribution, allowing the three students - Stevenson Andre of Erasmus High School; Maurice Davis-Lane, of Transit Tech High School; and Maurice Ross, of John Jay High School - to walk away with an additional $1,500.

Additionally, Monique McAllister, who joined the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club at age 11, was recognized with the Alumni of Distinction Award. She is currently studying to earn her B.S. from Nyack College, but still finds time to volunteer for various causes including working on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club.

Ronald Skeete, Vanessa Sanchez, Ms. Lance, Monique McAllister, Tom Early, Gina L. Bolden-Rivera, Russell Carter, Shawonda Swain, Elenora Bernard, and Albert C. Wiltshire at the Madison Square Boy's and Girl's Club's Annual Awards benefit

Health Plus's Executive Director, Tom Early, stands with his Citation from the Brooklyn Borough President at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Annual benefit at El Caribe Country Club.

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Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.