Awards Given
In 1999, Senior PharmAssist created two awards in conjunction with its fifth anniversary to honor two individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the health and lives of Durham residents. The Thomas R. Howerton Award for Leadership and the Margaret K. Goodwin Award for Service have been presented six times since their inception and were most recently conferred on June 23, 2009, when Senior PharmAssist marked its 15th anniversary.
Dr. Franc A. Barada Jr., a rheumatologist, received the Thomas R. Howerton Award for his leadership with Senior PharmAssist and in the community to help un- and underinsured Durham residents. "Andy" is past president of the Senior PharmAssist Board and currently serves as board president for Project Access of Durham County, which provides in-kind specialty care to uninsured Durham County residents. At the state level, he chairs the Access to Health Care Committee for the North Carolina Medical Society and serves on the newly created Care Share Health Alliance, conceived to help communities more effectively organize and marshal resources to better serve the un- and underinsured throughout North Carolina.
Dr. Elaine M. Hart-Brothers earned the Margaret K. Goodwin Award for her exemplary service in improving the lives of Durham seniors. Dr. Hart-Brothers co-founded the Community Health Coalition in 1989, which works to reduce preventable death and illness among Durham's African-American population - through health education and promotion, and disease prevention. Dr. Hart-Brothers is active with the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy; the Old North State Medical Society; and numerous Durham Regional and Duke Hospital initiatives.
Thomas R. Howerton Award for Leadership
The Thomas R. Howerton Award for Leadership is presented to an individual or organization for providing exemplary leadership to help Durham senior adults lead healthier and more independent lives through medication assistance and other preventive health measures.
Tom Howerton was instrumental in the creation of the Durham County Hospital Corporation, eased the merger of Lincoln and Watts hospitals in the early 1970s, and supervised the construction of Durham County General Hospital (now Durham Regional), which opened in October 1976. He was actively involved with the Foundation for Better Health of Durham and the Coordinating Council for Senior Citizens, and was one of six “program developers” who helped give birth to Senior PharmAssist. Tom served as Treasurer on our Board for many years, and in 2002, reflected on why his long affiliation with our program had meant so much: “We were engaged in a project that was well-conceived, well-managed, and deeply appreciated by those who received benefit from it.” Tom retired from our Board that same year, and since then, he and his wife, Martha, have remained strong supporters of our efforts – and much beloved by those connected with Senior PharmAssist. He approached his work with our program as he approached his entire career: merging a sharp business sense with a heart of gold.
Recipients of the Howerton Award:
Richard Myers (1999)
Vic Moore (2000)
Margaret Keller (2001)
Carolyn Robbins (2004)
Lisa Nadler (2006)
Andy Barada (2009)
Margaret K. Goodwin Award for Service
The Margaret K. Goodwin Award for Service is presented to an individual or organization for providing exemplary service to help Durham senior adults lead healthier and more independent lives through medication assistance and other preventive health measures.
On Jan. 23, 2010, Senior PharmAssist and the Durham community lost a dear friend with the passing of Margaret Catherine Kennedy Goodwin. Throughout her 91 years, Margaret nurtured and displayed an infinite love for life - and compassion for others. She was also an unabashed trailblazer who broke down walls of social injustice. Margaret was the first person of color to hold office with the American Society of X-Ray Technicians. This national recognition prompted the NC Society of Radiologic Technologists, which had denied her admission, to reconsider, and she later became the first Black President of that organization. Margaret served as Chief of Radiology and Laboratory Services at Lincoln Hospital (now Lincoln Community Health Center), where she worked for 35 years. Margaret was a strong advocate - for decades - for the healthcare of all those who call Durham home, and she was a special friend to Senior PharmAssist, delivering her "monthly dues" and pound cake until the last few months of her magnificent life.
Recipients of the Goodwin Award:
Joan Pellettier (1999)
Hal Silberman, Senior Health Center (2000)
Information and Case Assistance Staff at the Council for Senior Citizens (2001)
Ann Carole Moylan (2004)
Betty K. Borden (2006)
Elaine Hart-Brothers (2009)