November 21, 2002

Genesis Receives Governor's Volunteer Award

The Iowa Insurance Division has awarded Genesis Medical Center (GMC) the Governor's Volunteer Award for its outstanding contribution of volunteer service to the State of Iowa.

Lt. Governor Sally Pederson presented the award to Joe Curta, Manager of Genesis Medical Center Senior Services, for his recruitment and support of Byron Rovine, M.D., Donald Tupper, Inga Nabb, Kenneth Conlon, Darrell Lietz and James Ingram, volunteer counselors for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at GMC.

SHIIP provides free informational materials as well as one-to-one assistance with Medicare coverage, Medicare supplement insurance, long-term care insurance, Medicare and insurance claims and other related issues.

Volunteers are well trained by the State of Iowa Insurance Division, initially participating in 30 hours of training with 12 hours of updates annually. They are highly skilled, capable people whose services saved Iowa seniors more than $507,000 in 2001.

The State of Iowa created SHIIP in 1990, in response to the statewide need for senior health insurance information. SHIIP does not recommend insurance companies, plans or agents; they answer questions and provide impartial information to help seniors make well-informed decisions.

SHIIP volunteers are at Genesis Medical Center's West campus, 1401 West Central Park, from 8:30 -11 a.m. every Wednesday in the lobby next to the emergency room entrance. Counselors are also at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, from 10 a.m. to noon the first and third Monday and from 9 to 11 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

SHIIP is a free, confidential and unbiased service. For more information or to make an appointment call the SHIIP office at Genesis Medical Center, 563-421-1095 or 800-383-2555 and at DeWitt Community Hospital at 563-659-4288.