Indianapolis, May 26, 2011 -- Wishard Health Services received the Malden Mills Promise Award for its outstanding dedication to workforce diversity, its commitment to employee relations, and its contributions to the advancement of the Indianapolis community.
"This award exemplifies the great work Wishard performs in our community on a daily basis," said Chrystal Ratcliffe, president of the Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch. "I can't think of a more deserving organization for this year’s Malden Mills Promise Award."
Wishard received the award on Thursday, May 19, at the 2011 Indianapolis NAACP Lettie Oliver Labor and Industry Luncheon.
"The individuals who work at Wishard, who give of their time, energy, skills and abilities to provide excellent care for our patients, to advance our mission to advocate, care, teach and serve, and to further the overall health of the community, embody the true spirit of our organization," said Dr. Lisa Harris, CEO and medical director at Wishard Health Services. "We cherish the people who compose our staff, and we are buoyed by the Greater Indianapolis NAACP’s recognition of our progress in ensuring fair and equal conditions."
The Greater Indianapolis NAACP presented the award at its Lettie Oliver Labor and Industry Luncheon. Lettie Oliver, who passed away in March 2010, was a dedicated advocate who worked tirelessly for working people and humanity at large. As the associate director AFSCME Local 62, and president for the Central Indiana Labor Council, Oliver represented more than 10,000 workers in central Indiana, and was a voice for organized labor, and a strong advocate for women workers. Always outspoken about public health issues, she was instrumental in organizing and rallying support for the referendum to build The New Wishard. Oliver’s passion for health care, education, and jobs resulted in the betterment of all lives she touched.
"The designation of the presentation luncheon as the Indianapolis NAACP Lettie Oliver Labor and Industry Luncheon heightens our gratitude and spirit of pride in this award," said Matthew Gutwein, president and CEO, Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. "We will forever remember Lettie as a passionate supporter of our dedicated staff and our mission. Lettie was a champion for equality and fairness."
The Malden Mills Promise Award is named in recognition of Aaron Feuerstein’s efforts to support his workers after a fire burned down the Malden Mills Industries factory in 1995. As the owner and CEO, Feurstein decided not only to use his insurance money to rebuild the factory, but also to continue paying the salaries of all the unemployed workers while the factory was being rebuilt. By going against common CEO business practices, especially at a time when most companies were downsizing and moving overseas, he became a champion for workers’ rights.