Oregon Bankers Association Presents 2014 Community Applause Awards to PacificSource Health Plans and Florence Dental Clinic

SALEM, Ore., Dec. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Oregon Bankers Association (OBA), in partnership with the Independent Community Banks of Oregon (ICBO) and OregonBusiness magazine, recently announced that PacificSource Health Plans of Springfield, Oregon and Florence Dental Clinic of Florence, Oregon are the recipients of the 2014 Community Applause Awards.  Founded in 1996, the award competition is open for banks doing business in Oregon to nominate their business customers in recognition of their service in the community.  An independent panel of judges reviews each nomination and selects one winner annually in each award category: Businesses with 50 or more employees and Businesses with less than 50 employees. Since their inception, 37 Oregon businesses have been recognized, including this year's honorees. 

During the Northwest Bank Executive Conference held December 8 in Seattle, OBA Chair Steve Rice, executive vice president at Umpqua Bank, presented a commemorative plaque to both companies, who also each received a $1,000 check to the nonprofit organization of their choice. Ken Provencher, president and CEO of PacificSource, accepted the award and the $1,000 donation to Food for Lane County on behalf of PacificSource. Co-owners of Florence Dental Clinic, Dr. Brian Holmes and Dr. Justin Linton, accepted their award and the $1,000 donation to Mapleton Food Share.  The award ceremony also included videos about each award recipient which can be viewed online at www.oregonbankers.com/community/applause-awards. 

PacificSource Health Plans won in the category of "businesses with 50 or more employees" and was nominated by Brooke Garcia, vice president and professional banking officer at Bank of the Cascades.  PacificSource Health Plans delivers healthcare solutions to businesses and individuals throughout the Northwest and has an 81-year history and reputation for taking care of people.

Committed to improving the health of the communities they serve, PacificSource provides resources and funds for the health and welfare of the undeserved and vulnerable populations with an emphasis on children and youth. This year alone, PacificSource has granted nearly $500,000 to support organizations providing access to high quality healthcare, improving community health and lowering costs across the system.

In addition to the significant investments made by PacificSource as an organization, their employees also are highly involved in the company's philanthropic efforts.  An example of this is PacificSource's employee-driven contributions, where last year alone employees raised more than $90,000 for United Way. Through a committee, PacificSource employees also champion the Healthy Communities Program by reviewing requests and making recommendations on PacificSource's involvement.  The program provides financial support, in-kind donations, and employee volunteer assistance.  Last year this initiative supported more than 125 organizations.

"Bank of the Cascades is proud to nominate PacificSource Health Plans for the Community Applause Award.  PacificSource has a long history and reputation of taking great care of people.  Between the organization's charitable contributions and the employees' donations and volunteer hours, PacificSource makes a big impact on the communities they serve," said Garcia.

Florence Dental Clinic won in the category of "businesses with less than 50 employees" and was nominated by Debra Dee Osborne, vice president at Siuslaw Bank. Devoted to comprehensive and preventative patient care, Dr. Brian Holmes and Dr. Justin Linton of Florence Dental Clinic have an unwavering commitment to bettering the lives and the health of adults and children in their community.

For the dentists, improved health starts with teaching children proper dental care, which is why they provide dental education to all kindergarten, preschoolers and first graders in their community.  And since 2002, the dentists and their staff have brought in dental vans to Mapleton and Siuslaw elementary schools, screening every child for emergency dental needs. They then return to the schools to provide critical services free of charge.  Dr. Holmes and Dr. Linton host the dental vans multiple times per year, for a combined total of 48 volunteer days and over $400,000 in free care provided.  The dentists at Florence Dental Clinic also support many nonprofits, assist with fundraisers and donate volunteer time to a variety of organizations.              

In commenting about her nomination, Osborne said, "Florence Dental Clinic is the kind of business every town dreams of.  Dr. Holmes and Dr. Linton are professional, successful businessmen, and with that success they give back to the community by donating services, volunteer time and money.  I am proud to be their banker and customer."

About The Oregon Bankers Association
Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is Oregon's only full-service trade association representing state and national commercial banks, thrifts and savings banks chartered to do business in Oregon.  More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com.

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SOURCE Oregon Bankers Association

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http://www.oregonbankers.com