Medicare News
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: |
| Thursday, January 18, 2001 | CMS Office of Public Affairs 202-690-6145 |
For questions about Medicare please call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov. |
|
SECRETARY SHALALA PRESENTS HAMMER AWARD FROM ADMINISTRATION TO HCFA EMPLOYEES IN BALTIMORE
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala has presented a federal award to employees of the Health Care Financing Administration for their outstanding work in increasing the number of flu shots given to Baltimore area residents.
Secretary Shalala gave out the Clinton Administration's Hammer Award on Jan. 16 during her farewell visit to HCFA staff at HCFA headquarters on Security Boulevard in Baltimore.
The Secretary honored HCFA's Good Neighbor Flu Project Team, which began more than four years ago when a group of HCFA employees at the Baltimore headquarters volunteered their time and services to work with clinics in Maryland to raise adult immunization rates.
HCFA's campaign began in October 1996 in Baltimore City with 47 people getting flu shots. By 1999, the project had expanded to 35 clinics, with 10,000 flu shots given in Baltimore alone. Besides HCFA staff, team members now include a Baltimore coalition called the Action for Community Enrichment, and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention. Good Neighbor Flu Projects have grown to include HCFA regional offices in Boston and Dallas.
"Once again this flu season, as a result of HCFA's efforts, millions of Americans, including thousands in Baltimore, have received shots to prevent the flu, which can be life-threatening and is easily preventable," said Acting Deputy HCFA Administrator Robert A. Berenson, M.D. "Flu and pneumonia shots also are often free under Medicare." HCFA oversees Medicare, the nation's largest insurer, providing health insurance coverage for more than 39 million Americans over 65, and people with disabilities.
Vice President Gore created the Hammer Awards as part of the Administration’s reinventing government initiative, which sought to create government that works better, costs less, and achieves results Americans care about. Hammer Awards recognize the innovative and important work done by government employees.
HCFA employees on the Good Neighbor Flu Project Team are Diana Ayres, Mary Case, Jim Coan, Dr. Marsha Davenport, Cheryl Dammons, Lisa Galvin, Jackie Harley, Earl Johnson, Annetta Lang, William McQueeney, Rosemarie Murphy and Tauret Wilkins. Team members from the Action for Community Enrichment are Dorene Holloman and Mariellen Synan, and from the Maryland Partnership for Prevention, Dr. Andrew Bernstein, who is now with HCFA's regional office in Philadelphia, and Susan Hammond.
