October 7, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will receive the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Pathfinders in Medicine Award to honor her commitment to protecting healthcare access for Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens in the face of economic hardships in the state.
 
Granholm will be presented the award at a ceremony at Ford Field in Detroit at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8.
 
“Seniors, children, the poor and pregnant women – providing for their basic health and safety has to be our priority,” Granholm said.  “I am honored to receive an award for such a critical cause, and I thank the medical professionals and community leaders who work every day to protect and serve the most vulnerable in Michigan.”
 
Wayne State University School of Medicine is presenting the Governor with the Pathfinders in Medicine Award for her leading role in the establishment of the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and her involvement in forming a temporary oversight committee which provided $50 million to bolster the Detroit Medical Center.
 
Governor Granholm’s commitment to ensuring that Michigan citizens have access to health care extends beyond her work with the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and the Detroit Medical Center.  Last month she announced that 30,000 uninsured seniors and people from working families have signed up for the MI-Rx prescription drug discount card, which offers an average savings of 20 percent off everyday medications at more than 2,000 neighborhood pharmacies statewide.  She also signed a budget for the 2006 fiscal year that preserves full funding for Medicaid caseloads and the Children’s Special Health Care Services program, and restores funding for Medicaid chiropractic and dental services.
 
The Pathfinders in Medicine Award honors outstanding vision and leadership in medicine, progressive scientific research, and efforts that promote the availability of quality health care within the community.