Dr. Richard Merkin, CEO, Heritage Provider Network, Joins the Cleveland Cavaliers in Honoring Two Generations of Co-Captains From Olympic Gold Medal Basketball Teams, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network, will present a commemorative award to two generations of Co-Captains from Olympic Gold Medal Basketball Teams on February 18th, 2010 at the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets Game to help raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research.  

Oscar Robertson and Jerry West, co-captains of the 1960 United States Olympic gold medal basketball team, and 2008 United States Olympic gold medal basketball team co-captains, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, will be honored in a pregame ceremony at center court at the Quicken Loans Arena just prior to tip off and it will be televised by TNT.

"I am thrilled and delighted to raise money and awareness for such an important men's health issue -- prostate cancer," said Dr. Richard Merkin. "I look forward to a day when prostate cancer is no longer a crisis for any family on the planet, moments like these help spread that message."

2010 marks the 50-year anniversary of the gold medal won by the United States men's basketball team at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. The 1960 squad put on one of the most dominant basketball performances in Olympic history and finished a perfect 8-0, outscoring their opponents by an average of over 42 points per game. Robertson averaged 17.0 points per game and West averaged 13.8 points per game.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, the United States men's basketball team also went 8-0, defeating their opponents by an average of over 27 points on their way to another gold medal.  James averaged 15.5 points per game and Anthony averaged 11.5 points per game.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation, over its lifespan, has raised over $370 million for research.  It has supported globally over 1,500 investigators, scientists and doctors throughout 200 research institutions working on prostrate cancer. The Foundation has been active with two great partners.  The National Cancer Institute -- in trying to push scientific frontiers to a point with venture philanthropy, where NCI dollars can leverage and continue to drive new treatment and diagnostics. Another essential partner has been the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Effort.  Over the last decade, it's had an enormous impact on our ability to start to translate science into the lives of prostate cancer patients.

About Heritage Provider Network

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is on the cutting edge of the accountable care model of health care delivery: coordinated, patient-doctor centric, integrated health care systems that represent the future of health care in the United States. HPN develops programs and services that are responsive to the healthcare needs of today's patient. HPN designs its networks to offer patients a comprehensive range of medical care in convenient locations.  It organizes and manages medical groups and independent practice associations, integrating with hospitals and ancillary care providers. This system represents a workable, successful business model that has been duplicated with medical groups, IPAs and medical facilities throughout California.  HPN is dedicated to quality, affordable health care and putting patients' wellness first.

SOURCE Heritage Provider Network, Inc.