2009 Honorees to be named in December 2009
The Sapphire Award is designed to recognize and promote programs that have demonstrated excellence and impact in improving the health-related outcomes of Florida's at-risk populations and communities. The Award's recognition of effective initiatives is meant to promote greater and more lasting support for improved services and systems that can be sustained over time.
Strategies that build on community assets, enhance organizational capacity, foster systemic change, and/or lead to lasting policy changes that improve health will be especially sought after for this Award. Successful nominations will support the goals of The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida.
An independent Selection Committee made up of medical, public health and health communication experts from across the country determines the recipients of The Sapphire Award.
Deadline for accepting completed nominations was May 12, 2009.
2008 Sapphire Award Honorees
2008 Sapphire Award Honorees (PDF)
A total of 21 nominations were received for the 2008 competition. Click here to view the list of all nominees.
Winner ($100,000 each)
Award of Distinction ($75,000 each)
Honorable Mention ($25,000)
2007 Sapphire Award Honorees
2007 Sapphire Award Honorees (PDF)
A total of 42 nominations were received. The five honorees are:
Winner ($100,000)
Award of Distinction ($75,000 each)
Honorable Mention ($25,000)
2006 Sapphire Award Honorees
2006 Sapphire Award Honorees (PDF)
Winners 2006 ($100,000 each)
Honorable Mention ($25,000)
Finalist ($5,000)
2005 Sapphire Award Honorees
2005 Sapphire Award Honorees (PDF)
Winners ($100,000 each)
Honorable Mentions ($15,000 each)
Finalists ($5,000 each)
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The Sapphire Award Selection Committee
Alina Perez-Stable
Committee Chair, 2009
Program Manager, College of Medicine, Florida International University; Miami, Fla.
Michael P. Beachler, MPH
Principal, MPB Consulting, Jamestown, N.C.
Cyril Blavo, DO, MPH
Director, Master of Public Health Program, Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
R. Paul Duncan, Ph.D.
Chairman, Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida; Gainesville, Fla.
M. Jane Icely
Vice President, Healthy Aging Services, Senior Friendship Centers; Sarasota, Fla.
Kristi Krueger
Television News Anchor and Health Reporter, WPLG-TV; Miami, Fla.
Penny Ralston, Ph.D.
Professor, Dean Emeritus and Director, Center on Better Health and Life for Underserved Populations; Florida State University; Tallahassee, Fla.
Lisa Simpson, MB, BCh, MPH, FAAP
Director, Child Policy Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati, Ohio
Randy Meg Kammer
President, Board of Directors, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, and Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Jacksonville, Fla.
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Contact Us
Inquiries can be made to: TheSapphireAward@bcbsfl.com, or toll-free at
1-800-477-3736, ext. 63215, option 2.
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View video of the 2008 Sapphire Award:
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