Harmony Presents Jay Readey with a CommUnity Hero Award
CHICAGO and TAMPA, Fla., March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), on behalf of Harmony Health Plan of Illinois, Inc., recently recognized Jay S. Readey, chair of the Southland Human Services Leadership Council (SHSLC), with its CommUnity Hero Award for his efforts championing quality resources for residents of the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago. Under Readey's leadership, the SHSLC united area social service organizations to develop The HUB, a web-based referral system that links Southland residents with health, shelter and other basic needs, as well as professional services such as job training, credit counseling and family and addiction counseling.
The SHSLC membership includes more than 70 nonprofit agencies that serve nearly 1 million residents in 62 south and southwest suburban municipalities in Cook and Will counties. Through the organization, social service agencies work together to positively impact residents across the region, and receive support to increase their fiscal strength, such as grant planning workshops.
"Jay has spent his career championing civil rights through his leadership, activism and coalition-building in broad community networks," said Enrique Salgado Jr., senior community advocate Harmony Health Plan. "Our CommUnity Hero Awards recognize the unsung heroes who take action to improve our communities through health care, community action and advocacy. Jay ensures that underserved communities are not forgotten and takes steps to strengthen the social service organizations that provide a safety net for so many."
As executive director of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc., from 2010 through 2015, Readey revitalized existing programs such as the Voting Rights Project that aims to prevent, reduce and eliminate barriers to voting and civic participation in underrepresented and low-income communities. He also launched the Education Equity Project to promote civil rights in education and strong educational outcomes for minority children.
"Jay routinely goes above and beyond his role to bring resources to underprivileged communities in Chicago and the south suburbs," said Dr. Robert Hilliard, president, Harmony Health Plan. "Harmony is committed to working collaboratively with people and organizations that support our members and we are honored to recognize Jay for his contributions."
"My work with the Southland Human Services Leadership Council has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career because we have been able to build a truly collective effort with a large number of stakeholders," Readey said. "The engagement of the human services sector has given meaning to the concept of mission-driven work."
As of Dec. 31, 2015, WellCare and Harmony serve approximately 215,500 members in Illinois, including 168,000 Medicaid members, 15,500 Medicare Advantage plan members and 32,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The Company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the Company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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