ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) today announced the recipients of the 2012 George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award and 2012 Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award, which were presented during the 2013 MedAssets Healthcare Business Summit, held April 2-4 in Las Vegas.
The 2012 George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award honoree is Sean Parnell, a retired captain of the U.S. Army Airborne Rangers 10th Mountain Division, who served in combat during the war on terror in Afghanistan. The 2012 Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award honorees are Linda Egle, founder of Eternal Threads and sisters Jamie and Ali McMutrie, founders of Haitian Families First.
2012 George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award Winner Sean Parnell
“Veteran Sean Parnell represents the American spirit of the George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award through his exemplary service during the war on terror, and advocacy on behalf of veterans’ issues,” said John Bardis, chairman, president and chief executive officer, MedAssets. “We are honored to highlight Sean’s story and efforts to make more Americans aware that we can do more to help our brave service men and women heal from what often are invisible wounds of war.”
A Pennsylvania native, Sean Parnell transitioned from college student to Army Ranger after the events of September 11, 2001. At age 24, he led a 40-man elite infantry, known also as the Outlaw Platoon, through 16 months of brutal combat while serving patrol in Afghanistan. His leadership and dedication to his men during an ambush led Sean to earn the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars, including one for valor. In addition, 80 percent of his men earned Purple Hearts. Now retired and healing from post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder, Sean is sharing his experiences with the hope that other soldiers will be open to seeking help. As part of his own healing process, Sean wrote, “Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan,” a New York Times bestseller. He serves as a national ambassador for veterans issues and is working on a post graduate degree in clinical psychology to one day counsel and help soldiers heal from the psychological and emotional wounds suffered while serving in combat.
2012 Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award Winners Linda Egle, Jamie and Ali McMutrie
“Linda, Jamie and Ali each represent the spirit of the Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award, and we celebrate the impact that their life’s work is making for women, children and families in need,” said Bardis. “Linda is empowering women around the world with an income source to avoid exploitation. Ali and Jamie are enriching the lives of children and families in Haiti with essential social services for survival and self-sustainability,” he said. “These amazing women are making the world a better place, one person at a time.”
Linda Egle, founder of Eternal Threads
In 2000, Linda Egle of Texas founded Eternal Threads, a non-profit artisan import organization that directly provides a fair trade wage to women artisans in developing countries. Linda’s life’s work began in 1988 during a mission trip to India to help educate children. Moved by the plight of Indian women and children at risk of extreme poverty and exploitation, she started Eternal Threads. Initially, she purchased lace and totes from women artisans in India. Today, Eternal Threads purchases handmade crafts from women in 12 developing countries. After paying an upfront fair trade wage, she sells the artisan crafts in the U.S. through a market that is lacking in the women’s own countries. Eternal Threads has returned 100 percent of its profits to hundreds of women around the world. In addition, Eternal Threads supports safe houses for girls rescued from human trafficking and funds anti-trafficking border units in Nepal, where more than 12,000 girls are trafficked each year. Working with local partners, Eternal Threads helps rescue, house, counsel and educate girls so that they can live a better life. Support Eternal Threads at www.eternalthreads.org.
Jamie and Ali McMutrie, founders of Haitian Families First
Pennsylvania sisters Jamie and Ali McMutrie moved to Haiti in 2002 and 2006, respectively, after years of volunteering in Port-au-Prince to help find homes overseas for orphaned children. When Haiti’s earthquake in 2010 destroyed the orphanage, they founded Haitian Families First to help struggling families stay together. The American non-profit has provided social services to more than 80 children, and even more parents. Support services help Haitian children receive nutrition, including formula for babies, and access education and life-sustaining medical care. Haitian Families First helps parents find employment to better provide for their families, and offers a safe house shelter during extended periods of need. These social and community services, lacking from the Haitian government, alleviate poverty and guide Haitians toward self-sustainability. The McMutries are showing Haitian families that options exist to survive and thrive together as a family, even in times of need. Support Haitian Families First at www.haitianfamiliesfirst.org.
About the George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award
The George Herbert Walker Bush Pacesetter Award honors the 41st President of the United States, who pledged to use American strength as a “force for good.” This award, presented annually by MedAssets, recognizes and celebrates the personal desire and determination of an individual to serve our country inside and outside of the United States Armed Forces. A veteran of World War II, Bush served in the United States Armed Forces and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. Bush also has served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States, Texas congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, and Director of Central Intelligence.
About the Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award
The Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award honors the memory of an innovative, inspirational spirit and a lifetime humanitarian. This humanitarian award, presented annually by MedAssets, recognizes an equally ambitious desire and determination of an individual(s) to address unmet needs in the world by helping communities and those less fortunate. Dr. Borlaug is known as “the man who saved a billion lives.” His revolutionary approach to plant breeding radically changed agriculture and resulted in a wheat variety that exponentially increased yields while actively resisting drought and disease. Dr. Borlaug’s “green revolution” uplifted the rural poor in Mexico and saved hundreds of millions from famine and outright starvation in India and Pakistan. He is one of six people to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
About MedAssets
MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) helps healthcare organizations to improve financial strength through innovative revenue cycle, spend and clinical resource management solutions that enable improved margins, cash flow, quality of care and patient satisfaction. More than 4,200 hospitals and 122,000 non-acute healthcare providers currently use the company's Web-based technologies and evidence-based solutions to help capture revenue, control cost, increase regulatory compliance and optimize operational efficiency to improve the care delivery process. As a result, the company manages annually $50 billion in healthcare supply spend and touches over $365 billion in gross patient revenues. For more information, please visit www.medassets.com.
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