Pittsburgh Business Group On Health Announces 2015 Excellence Award Winners

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh Business Group on Health today announces the winners of its 2015 Excellence Awards presented in conjunction with the 16^th annual Health Care and Benefits Futures Symposium, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, 7:30 a.m., Marriott Pittsburgh City Center.

According to Diane McClune, vice president, operations, Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, the organization presents Excellence Awards to some of the region's leading C-suite officers and companies that have demonstrated substantial commitment to advancing and promoting health care initiatives across southwestern Pennsylvania and among employees.

Excellence Award for 2015 were recognized during a special C-suite dinner Wednesday, Sept. 9, and at the Annual Symposium Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 10:

• Philanthropy in Health Care
  Yvonne Cook, Highmark Foundation
• CEO Excellence in Driving Innovations for Employee Health
  T. Michael Price, President & CEO, First Commonwealth Financial Corp.
• Company Excellence in Driving Innovations for Employee Health & Wellness
  Ellwood Group, Inc. (PBGH Employer Member)
• Company Excellence in Strategic Partnerships for Employee Health
  Giant Eagle (PBGH Employer Member)
• Associate Member – Excellence in Strategic Partnership
  Sanofi Aventis

"We are honored to have so many important employer-members actively participate in Pittsburgh Business Group on Health initiatives," McClune said, "but it's also important to recognize those organizations that have truly gone above and beyond to foster understanding about health care among employees and across the region."

The PBGH Excellence Awards were first presented in 2009.

About the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health

Founded in 1981, the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health is a non-profit organization and business-only coalition representing more than 80 employer-member companies. PBGH promotes health care and benefits strategies through education, collaboration and innovation among members, and in the community, to deliver value and quality for members and their employees.

PITTSBURGH BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH
2015 EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Additional Background on Excellence Award Winners 2015

Philanthropy in Health Care
Yvonne Cook, Highmark Foundation

This first-ever award is being presented to Yvonne Cook for her vision and support of improvement in health care for the Pittsburgh region.

Ms. Cook has served as the Highmark Foundation's president since 2003. In this position, She oversees development, implementation, administration and evaluation of innovative and effective community and health initiative activities, as well as the exploration and evaluation of marketplace needs. For more than 30 years, moreover, Ms. Cook has volunteered her time and expertise by serving on many boards and committees.

CEO Excellence in Driving Innovations for Employee Health
T. Michael Price, President & CEO, First Commonwealth Financial Corp.

Price is a 25-year veteran of the banking industry and leads the Pittsburgh region's seventh largest bank by deposits.

This first-ever award honors a chief executive officer of an organization who is intimately involved in supporting and promoting employee health innovations within their company. Mr. Price is being recognized for his early adoption of comprehensive wellness programs and for helping to maintain a culture of health among First Commonwealth's employees as a strategic business priority.

Mr. Price is also committed to driving health care innovation across the region by serving on as a board of director for Indiana Regional Medical Center, advisory board member for the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University, chairman of the 2010 and 2011 Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Annual Campaign, and board member of the Boy Scouts of America, Laurel Highlands Council, as well as numerous other organizations.

Company Excellence in Driving Innovations for Employee Health & Wellness
Ellwood Group, Inc. (PBGH Employer Member)

The company-focused Excellence in Driving Innovations for Employee Health & Wellness is awarded to organizations, which have deep participation in Pittsburgh Business Group on Health initiatives. Based in Ellwood City, PA, Ellwood Group, Inc., participates in the PBGH Rx Program, Medical Program, and the PBGH Corporate Wellness Challenge.

Ellwood Group also participates in the National Health Strategies Project, Know Your Numbers Campaign, and Ellwood Group representatives presented alongside PBGH at the 2015 National Business Coalition on Health national conference.

Company Excellence in Strategic Partnerships for Employee Health 
Giant Eagle

For more than five years, Giant Eagle has supported the PBGH Flu Vaccine Program regionally for PBGH employer-members, offering competitive rates, exceptional services and additional value-added services beyond those expected.

Giant Eagle was one of the leading organizations in the development of the PBGH LivingMyLife for Diabetes Program, and recently presented with PBGH at the National HERO Conference, where the company shared its successfully implementation of smoking cessation programs. The company also participates with PBGH in webinars related to preventative services under the Affordable Care Act.

Associate Member – Excellence in Strategic Partnership 
Sanofi Aventis

Bridgewater, NJ-based Sanofi Aventis a global healthcare leader that discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patient's needs.

The company has produced the annual PBGH Diabetes Report for seven years at no cost to PBGH, supported the Diabetes LivingMyLife Program, presented at the 2014 PBGH Annual Meeting with a diabetes champion focused on, "A Patient's Story," annually supports the PBGH Symposium, and continues to bring innovative ideas and partnerships to PBGH employer members.

SOURCE The Pittsburgh Business Group on Health