| August 18, 2010 | For More Information Contact: Andy Van Pelt 503-479-6018 |
OAHHS presents highest honor to Lynn Read of Salem
The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) honored its fourth recipient of the Ellen C. Lowe Community Advocate Award during its annual membership meeting. This is the association's highest honor for a community member. This year's recipient is Lynn Read from Salem, Oregon. The award was presented by Ellen C. Lowe, OAHHS community advocate and inaugural recipient.
"Lynn is not your typical community advocate," said Lowe. "Her community is the whole state. Her advocacy comes quietly through the questions she answers in a most factual, thoughtful way. As she answers, she may ask why the question is being asked and then in turn mention other possible routes to lower the barriers to health care."
Read joined DHS in 1979. She initially worked in the field helping Oregonians accessing Medicaid services. Other assignments included education coordinator for Medicaid providers and field staff, fiscal manager, program and policy manager, DMAP administrator, assistant DMAP administrator and project director for the design, development and 1994 implementation of the Oregon Health Plan. Her current title is the deputy administrator of the Division of Medical Assistance Programs.
"At each step in my career I moved a bit farther away from direct client interactions and yet was able to make more profound impacts on the health and well being of Oregonians," said Read in a recorded speech. "We are only three and a half years away from universal health care access under national health care reform. This is an exciting, rewarding time for those committed to health care reform in Oregon and in the nation, and I accept [the award] as a representative for all who have helped the Oregon Health Plan grow and serve Oregonians." CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LYNN'S SPEECH
"Lynn's understanding of the exquisite complexities of health care has made her the mentor of all of us, no matter what our role," said Lowe. "We trust her; she merits that trust."
About the Award: Started in 2007, The Ellen C. Lowe Community Advocate Award honors a community member for his or her unique, unusual or continuous support of a hospital mission and/or the health of its community. The recipient possesses compassion, understanding, wisdom and a clear vision to see to the core of community issues. This is an award for a community member and not a hospital employee.
Past Recipients:
- 2007: Ellen C. Lowe, Inaugural Recipient
- 2008: Judie Foreman, Salem, Oregon
- 2009: Betty Johnson, Corvallis, Oregon
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