Former HHS Sec. Donna Shalala to Speak at CHOICE Awards; Event to Honor Outstanding Physicians

U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services former Secretary Donna E. Shalala will be the keynote speaker and recognize outstanding physicians who treat workers’ compensation patients during the Aug. 23, Third Annual Florida CHOICE Awards for Workers’ Compensation in Orlando, Fla. More than 600 industry professionals, including insurance carriers, physicians, claims professionals, governmental entities and other self-insured employers are expected to attend the event.

The program will be held in conjunction with the 60th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Award winners, to be announced at the event, are physicians who demonstrate their ability to deliver high quality care, promote return-to-work and achieve a high rate of patient satisfaction.

The awards are sponsored by CHOICE Medical Management Services LLC, a full-service, fully integrated workers’ compensation care management and a certified Florida Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Arrangement (MCA). Based in Tampa, Florida, CHOICE serves insurance carriers, third-party administrators, governmental entities and other self-insured employers in 30 states.

Since 2002, Shalala has been president of the University of Miami. She served as HHS Secretary from 1993-2000 under President Clinton. Shalala is recognized for revitalizing the National Institutes of Health and directing a major management and policy reform of Medicare. At the end of her tenure as HHS Secretary, The Washington Post described her as “one of the most successful government managers of modern times.”

Shalala is noted for expanding Head Start and AIDS research and for seeking universal immunizations for children and reforming welfare.

For information about the event or to nominate a candidate for the awards visit www.choicemedmgt.com or contact Yvonne Halvaei, marketing manager at yhalvaei@choicemedmgt.com, or (813) 282-9801. Nominations will be accepted until June 24 at www.FloridaChoiceAwards.com or 888-823-5377.