Florida Blue Foundation Announces 2015 Sapphire Awards Finalists

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Mar 19, 2015, 01:40 ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Sapphire Awards, Florida Blue Foundation announces five finalists for the 2015 awards. The Sapphire Awards honor outstanding individuals, programs and nonprofit organizations in community health care, or health care related fields, whose work is distinguished by leadership, innovation and achievements in community health. The winners will be announced at the 2015 Sapphire Awards and Symposium during a luncheon ceremony April 23 at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, Fla.

The finalists are:

Organization Category

Florida Department of Health in Indian River County, Vero Beach
The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Miami-Dade

Program Category

Pesticide Safety and Environmental Health Program, Farmworker Association of Florida, Apopka

Individual Category

Moody Chisholm, M.B.A., President and CEO, St. Vincent's HealthCare, Jacksonville
Margarita Romo, Founder and Executive Director, Farmworkers Self-Help, Dade City

Finalists were selected from among 164 nominees. An independent panel of experts with state and national expertise in community health best practices will make the final decision on the winners.

Since 2005, Florida Blue Foundation has presented 55 Sapphire Awards, totaling more than $3.1 million, to seven individuals and 48 programs and organizations from across Florida.

"These honorees represent those who have made significant, positive impact on health-related outcomes for Florida's at-risk people and communities," said Susan Towler, vice president, Florida Blue Foundation.

For more information and to register for the 2015 Sapphire Awards and Symposium, visit www.floridabluefoundation.com.

Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc. Florida Blue Foundation is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield company. The Foundation and its parent are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.floridabluefoundation.com.

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SOURCE Florida Blue Foundation