Saint Joseph's Mercy Care Services is honored to welcome back to Atlanta Richard Besser, MD, presenting him its fifth Mercy Moves through Me Award for his "committed and outstanding service and advocacy for the underserved."
Besser just returned from Haiti and spoke extensively on ABC's Good Morning America last week detailing former President Clinton's most recent heart procedure and hospitalization. The media is invited to cover Thursday's luncheon and after the event, Besser will be available for media Q&A.
Besser called Atlanta home for years, starting his career at the CDC in 1991. Prior to accepting his position at ABC News as senior health and medical editor, Besser was the director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Besser also served as Acting Director for the CDC and Acting Administrator for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from January through June 2009, leading the CDC and its response to the "swine flu" influenza outbreak. Staff writer David Montgomery of the Washington Post said of him,"He is a scientist who has mastered the healer's delicate art of simultaneously projecting deep concern and profound calm, telling national audiences to worry but not to worry."
The Mercy Moves through Me Award is given to individuals or organizations for committed and outstanding service or advocacy for the underserved. Inaugurated in 2005, celebration of Mercy Care Services' 20th anniversary has continued as an annual luncheon event and vehicle for honoring outstanding community servant leaders. Inaugural honorees were Mayor Shirley Franklin and Congressman John Lewis.
What: Award Luncheon honoring Dr. Richard Besser
When: Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Biltmore Hotel Georgian Ballroom
817 W. Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
About Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880, Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta is now a 410-bed, acute-care hospital recognized as one of the leading specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast. Saint Joseph's is the regions premier provider of cardiac, vascular oncology and orthopaedic services and home to the most comprehensive minimally invasive robotic surgery program in the world. Saint Joseph's is one of the 50 top hospitals and one of the few hospitals in the world to receive Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence. Saint Joseph's medical staff is comprised of over 750 physicians. Saint Joseph's Health System is based in Atlanta and has several subsidiaries including indigent care services, employed physician group, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Greensboro, GA, and research facilities. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's is a member of Catholic Health East. For more information, please visit www.saintjosephsatlanta.org.
