Claude Pepper Memorial Awards
A Brighter Tomorrow

The Claude Pepper Memorial Awards are intended to honor corporations and individuals who, like the Honorable Claude Pepper, have made a significant contribution to the needs of the elderly and/or the disabled in Miami-Dade County. Individuals, institutions, professionals, volunteers, or programs recognized must display through their actions, a commitment to their profession and/or community and serve as an inspiration to others in an effort to improve the quality of life and discover new ways to assist the elderly and/or disabled in Miami-Dade County.

Claude Pepper was referred to as a “National Treasure” by Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill. His legacy to this country was his belief that we should live in a world in which all people can pursue a better life with equal opportunity. He believed that healthcare in the home and community was indispensable and worked toward improvements in these services until his death. We are privileged to honor his dedication and his memory through these annual awards. 

Public Awareness/Media Award

Martha Flores (2004)
Thomas Garcia Fuste (2005)
Neighbors 4 Neighbors (2006)
Dr. Horacio Aguirre, Diario Las Americas (2007)
Angela G. Ramos, Univision (2008)
Jay Weaver, The Miami Herald (2009)
John Dorschner, The Miami Herald (2010)

Education/Advocacy Award

Eduardo Padron, Miami-Dade Community College (2005)
Modesto Maidique, Florida International University (2007)
Dr. Lori K. Parham, AARP Florida (2008)
Edwin Olsen, MD, JD, Miami Area Geriatric Education Center (2010)

Corporate Service Award (Healthcare and Non-healthcare)

United Way of Miami-Dade (1995)
University of Miami (1996)
Miami Herald Publishing Co. (1997)
Baptist Heath System (1998)
Vitas (1999)
The Miami Herald Wishbook (2000)
Mercy Hospital (2001)
Miami Jewish Home & Hospital (2002)
Florida Power & Light (2003)
Southern Wine & Spirits (2004)
CareFlorida (2004)
Alpha One (2005)
BellSouth (2005)
The Palace (2006)
DHL Express (2006)
George Foyo, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (2007)
Marvin O'Quinn, Jackson Health System (2007)
A. Alfonso Macedo, Ocean Bank (2008)
Benjamin Leon, Jr., Leon Medical Centers (2008)
Dennis Pastrana, Goodwill Industries (2009)
Kevin Kearns, Health Choice Network (2009)
Phillip R. Frost, MD, OPKO Health, Inc. (2010)

Public Service Award

Adele Graham (1995)
The Hon. Dante B. Fascell (1996)
The Hon. Rodolfo Garcia (1997)
E. Bentley Lipscomb (1997)
The Hon. Carrie P. Meek (1998)
John L. Stokesberry (1999)
The Hon. Mario Diaz-Balart (2000)
The Hon. Nancy Argenziano (2001)
The Hon. Dorrin Rolle (2002)
The Hon. Carole Green (2003)
The Hon. Dan Gelber (2003)
The Hon. Alex Diaz de la Portilla (2004)
The Hon. Alex Villalobos (2005)
The Hon. Marco Rubio (2006)
Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Miami-Dade County (2007)
Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, Miami-Dade County Commission (2007)
The Hon. Juan C. Zapata, State of Florida (2008)
The Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. House of Representatives (2009)
The Hon. Joe Negron, The Florida Senate (2010)

Community Builder/Life Time Achievement Award

The Hon. Bob Graham (2004)
Joe Arriola, City of Miami (2005)
“CACHAO” Israel Lopez (2006)
Otis Pitts, Peninsula Builders (2006)
Michael Aller, City of Miami Beach (2007)
Manuel Medina, Terremark Worldwide (2008)
Martin Fine & Pat P. Fine (2008)
Tere Zubizarreta, Zubi Advertising, Posthumous (2008)
Dr. Pedro Jose "Joe" Greer, Florida International University (2009)
Colonel Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., Community Health of South Florida (2010)

Thelma Gibson Volunteer & Community Service Award

Dr. Rosebud L Foster (1995)
Angel Fernandez-Varela (1996)
Geneva Miller (1996)
Thelma Gibson, RN (1997)
Octavio Verdeja (1998)
Hilarie Bass (1999)
Ramona Frischman (2000)
Athalie Range (2000)
Josefina Carbonell (2001)
Jorge L. Arrizurieta (2002)
Sheila Stieglitz (2003)
The Hon. Betty T. Ferguson (2004)
Anthony Brunson (2005)
Thelma A. Gibson, Theodore Gibson Memorial Fund (2007)
Dr. Rudolph G. Moise, Comprehensive Health Center (2008)
The Hon. Sally A. Heyman, Miami-Dade County Commission (2009)
Kevin E. Packman, Esq., Holland & Knight (2010)

35th Anniversary Pillar Award

Agency for Health Care Administration
Alliance for Aging, Inc.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Dade Community Foundation
Florida Department of Children & Families
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Health Foundation of South Florida
Miami-Dade County
United Way of Miami-Dade

30th Anniversary Partnership Award

United Way of Miami-Dade (2004)

Philanthropic Contribution Award

Health Foundation of South Florida (2006)

Commemorative Award

Margaret Pericak-Vance, PhD, Research Innovation Award (2010)
Hyman Pinsky, Active Living Award (2010)

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