NASHO Awards 'Most Influential In Specialty Health' Recognition to American Specialty Health Exec

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO) last night presented the first annual Most Influential in Specialty Health Award to George DeVries, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder  of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). The award recognizes leaders in specialty health who have played a major role in advancing the industry's mission to improve value, access and availability of high quality specialty health services.

In presenting the award, Julian Roberts, NASHO Executive Director noted, "George has guided ASH's growth to become one of the largest specialty health plans, insurers, and network administrators nationally for complementary and alternative health care—covering over 13 million Americans. George believes in both creativity and accountability.  Guided by his vision, ASH achieved a variety of industry firsts, including creating the first specialty health plan for chiropractic, the first specialty health plan for acupuncture, the first national insurer for complementary and alternative medicine, and receiving the first national accreditation for a specialty complementary/ alternative health plan."  

Upon accepting the award, Mr. DeVries commented, "Wellness, prevention, and non-traditional health programs have positively impacted more than 15 million Americans.  We believe ASH's population health management services and personalized member-centered approach add 'health' to health care, and give people the information and services they need to lead healthier lives.  We at ASH are pleased to be a leader helping people take action to adopt healthier lifestyles."  

Eligible nominees for the NASHO award were executives from specialty health plans and provider networks - organizations that facilitate and support the delivery of specialty health services including: dental, vision, hearing, pharmacy benefit management, behavioral health, chiropractic, complementary care, physical therapy, radiology management and other ancillary services.  Each year the award recognizes an individual whose drive, passion and effort improves the specialty health industry and the members it serves.

NASHO launched the "Most Influential" award in recognition of the evolution and maturity of the specialty health industry.   Said Mr. Roberts, "Specialty health services, such as the wellness programs created by Mr. DeVries, now have a prominent place in the health care dialogue.  These great strides could not have been accomplished without George's outstanding leadership. Through his leadership, wellness programs have matured to the point that they are considered essential to improving the health and wellbeing strived for by employers, plans, and members."

NASHO announced the award in July, 2010 and leaders were selected by an independent panel of employers, health plan executives, third party administrators and brokers based on their visibility, contribution, influence, and reputation.

About NASHO

NASHO is a subsidiary association of the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) (www.aappo.org), founded to advance and evolve specialty healthcare delivery in the United States. Its mission is to enhance and promote the value proposition of specialty health organizations. To learn more about NASHO, visit www.nasho.org.

SOURCE National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO)