At its second annual "Excellence in Health Care Leadership Awards Dinner," America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a national trade organization, presented Brooklyn’s own managed care organization, Health Plus, with its 2004 Ellis J. Bonner Community Leadership Award, honoring the company for their community service and outstanding contributions in healthcare. 

The independent HMO was recognized for its "Keeping Kids in School Asthma Education Program" that improves the quality of life of children with asthma in underserved communities through partnerships with the New York City Department of Education and other agencies.

"Health Plus is thrilled to receive the AHIP Ellis J. Bonner Community Leadership Award," says Dr. Cliff Marbut, Chief Medical Officer for Health Plus.  "With asthma rates for children in our city ranking among the highest in the country, it is particularly satisfying to be recognized for our efforts in combating this debilitating and even deadly disease."

AHIP, the national association that represents most health insurance plans throughout the country, awards its Ellis J. Bonner Community Leadership Awards annually to showcase organizations that demonstrate excellence in community outreach by identifying a specific problem in the community, designing innovative solutions, and leading community partnerships for success. The award is supported by grants from AstraZeneca and Aventis.  Aventis additionally presented Health Plus with funds to support the continuation of the award-winning program. 

Health Plus developed their "Keeping Kids in School Asthma Education Program" to increase asthma awareness and management, and improve the quality of life of children with asthma in underserved communities.  The four program components include: A school-based interactive asthma program in the classroom; asthma workshops for parents and adults at schools, and community and faith-based organizations; an educational asthma play performed by Health Plus staff at schools and summer camps; and an annual citywide asthma school poster contest for children in New York City's public elementary schools.

Through collaborative partnerships with the New York City Dept. of Education, the Dept. of Transportation, and other agencies, Health Plus's asthma program continues to promote asthma awareness and management through a video for school staff, public service announcements at bus shelters, and participation in coalitions citywide, with the goal of promoting healthy, active lives for people with asthma.

"We present health education workshops throughout the city," says Director of Health Education for Health Plus, Margie Bowen.  "We've partnered with the American Lung Association in this year’s fundraising walk. We host asthma plays and a citywide asthma poster contest; we've developed an educational video, in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education, for the New York City schools; and have even enlisted New York Giant star Amani Toomer - himself an asthma sufferer - to help draw attention to our efforts at educating people on asthma. We do so much, "she continues, "to fight asthma, it’s really great to see all our separate endeavors come together in fruition and be recognized on a national level by earning the Ellis J. Bonner Community Leadership Award."

"It was a great honor receiving this award and receiving this national recognition," says Executive Director for Health Plus, Tom Early.  "I'm particularly proud of the work our Health Education and Outreach departments have done to fight asthma in our communities. But this award is really for everyone at our company.  Without all the hard work they do everyday, this would not be possible."

Named for the late Ellis James Bonner, this award is presented annually to the health insurance plans that best exemplify the community outreach and spirit that were an integral part of his life's work.  Mr. Bonner was a Board member of the Group Health Association of America and served as president and CEO of Detroit-based The Wellness Plan/Comprehensive Health Services beginning in 1980. Mr. Bonner was known throughout the healthcare community as a leader in ensuring that the underprivileged had access to quality healthcare.  In addition, he was instrumental in developing what has evolved into the AHIP Foundation's Minority Management Development Program -- a program that aids in the professional development of minority candidates as they pursue careers in health management.

Claribel Blake, Health Education Manager for Health Plus, in graciously accepting the silver, star-shaped award for her company, stated, "We are proud to have received such a prestigious honor for our comprehensive approach to promoting asthma awareness and management. We hope this innovative program can be replicated in other underserved communities across the United States."