Van Gorder Receives MedAssets' Outstanding Humanitarian Award for Exceptional Community Service
Chris Van Gorder, chief executive officer of Scripps Health in San Diego, Calif., received MedAssets’ 2007 Outstanding Humanitarian Award in recognition of his commitment to volunteerism on a local and national basis.
The award, which was presented Thursday, April 12 during MedAssets’ Healthcare Business Summit in Las Vegas, reflects the corporate values of MedAssets and is given to a person who has consistently gone beyond typical expectations to make a difference in their community.
“Chris Van Gorder is an inspiration,” said John Bardis, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, MedAssets, Inc. “Throughout his career, he has selflessly given his time and talents. His generosity and tireless spirit has made a difference not only in his community but nationwide.”
Van Gorder, a former police officer and EMT, continues to volunteer his time and skills to the San Diego County Search and Rescue Team. In 2006, he volunteered more than 1,000 hours to search and rescue efforts in San Diego County, and he assisted in 26 out of the 33 total recorded rescues. He was recently named the reserve commander of this unit and also assists the search and rescue team with training new volunteers. As an instructor for the Red Cross, he also certifies Scripps employees in CPR, first aid and emergency response.
During the Hurricane Katrina devastation, Van Gorder worked with the chief medical officer of Scripps and the Surgeon General of the United States to organize and deploy a team of clinicians and aid workers to the region. He traveled with the team and worked long hours providing guidance and reassurance to hurricane victims.
Along with the many hours Van Gorder spends volunteering with various organizations, he manages his CEO responsibilities at Scripps, a large multi-hospital system. He played an integral role in the financial turnaround of Scripps and continues to drive the company to new heights both regionally and nationally. He is a devoted husband and father.
“What I find amazing is, here’s a man who’s CEO of a major healthcare system like Scripps, who still has the time to give back to the community,” said Undersheriff Bill Gore, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
In addition to the Outstanding Humanitarian Award, MedAssets presented the Scripps Foundation with a donation of $5000 in honor of Van Gorder’s volunteer service. Tyco Healthcare also donated ten handheld pulse oximeters to the San Diego Search and Rescue department to recognize Van Gorder’s efforts in this area.
Past recipients of the MedAssets Outstanding Humanitarian Award include Bob Boyle from Charleston Area Medical Center in West Virginia for extensive work with foster children; Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans for assisting healthcare facilities in Pensacola and other Gulf Coast towns who were hit in Hurricane Ivan; Sister Alice Marie Quinn, President of Meals on Wheels Association of America for her national and local work with MOWAA and providing for the aging in Southern California.
About MedAssets
MedAssets partners with healthcare providers to improve operating margins and cash flow while supporting quality of care goals. MedAssets implements integrated solutions to address the greatest opportunities for financial and process improvement and drives performance in revenue cycle, supply chain and clinical service line management. MedAssets is a business partner to more than 2,400 hospitals and 25,000 non-acute care healthcare providers. For more information, go to www.medassets.com.