For Immediate Release:	Contact:
July 30, 2009	Kristin Milam
	Johanna Royo
	(919) 733-5238
SHIIP Announces Statewide Award Winners
RALEIGH -- Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the winners of four statewide awards from the Department's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program, SHIIP, Division. They are: SHIIP Coordinator of the Year, SHIIP County of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Jim Long Outstanding Service Award.
"We are lucky to have such a large volunteer base - more than 800 volunteers in all 100 counties - to provide North Carolina's 1.3 million citizens enrolled in Medicare answers to their questions. These awards recognize the best of the best when it comes to SHIIP volunteers and coordinators. These award winners have truly provided excellent service to North Carolinians, and I'm proud that they are a part of our SHIIP family," said Commissioner Goodwin.
This year's award winners were announced at SHIIP's annual coordinators' conference in Southern Pines, July 29-30. Congratulations to the following recipients:
SHIIP Coordinator of the Year -- Coryn Harris with Council on Aging of Buncombe County, SHIIP's coordinating site in Buncombe County. Through her counseling and outreach efforts, Coryn reached more than 9,000 beneficiaries. SHIIP County of the Year -- SHIIP's coordinating site in New Hanover County is the RSVP, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. This site and volunteers provided more than 2,700 hours of volunteer service to clients in their county. Mickey Hanula Volunteer of the Year -- Anne Gaddis, from SHIIP's Lenoir County office. Anne counseled 269 beneficiaries and held nine outreach events/workshops in Lenoir County. Jim Long Outstanding SHIIP Service Award -- Gina Upchurch, Senior PharmAssist Executive Director. Gina worked countless hours work with SHIIP's state office and served as an advocate of SHIIP and other senior services.
"Congratulations to the 2009 award winners," said Commissioner Goodwin. "SHIIP volunteers provide one of the most valuable services in the state for our seniors and citizens with disabilities -helping them navigate the confusing Medicare system and making sure their health care and insurance needs are met."
SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance that offers free, objective information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance information. SHIIP's trained volunteers provide one-on-one counseling in all 100 counties. For more information about SHIIP or to get answers to Medicare questions, call SHIIP directly at 800-443-0354 or visit the SHIIP Web site.
-- NCDOI --