“Let’s Do the Twist”
On Saturday evening I attended the annual Health Kentucky's Twist & Bid 2009 Gala and Auction to benefit Health Kentucky. http://www.healthkentucky.org/ When I was initially invited to this event I immediately thought of Chubby Checker back in 1960s and his hit "The Twist." I have early childhood memories watching the teenagers dance the Twist on the weekly TV show, American Bandstand. I'm pretty sure this song has reached many generations and it is always a hit at wedding receptions, but that still doesn't mean I am going to do the dance!
I recall when former Governor Brereton Jones provided the leadership to create Health Kentucky in 1984. It was created to assist low-income uninsured Kentuckians with free medical services and prescription medications through a statewide non-profit network of health care providers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies. With the rising costs of healthcare, Health Kentucky works to reduce the number of visits to emergency rooms by providing the routine medical treatments. While looking through the Twist & Bid program I was amazed at the number of patients that have received treatment through Health Kentucky. According to Health Kentucky, through their hotline, they coordinated services for more than 42,000 patients and over 100,000 prescriptions just last year. This is truly an outstanding service to our Commonwealth.
This was the fourth year in a row for me to attend Twist & Bid. This is not only a great fundraiser, but an opportunity to see many legislative leaders and many of my colleagues from the health care field from all across Kentucky. I was also very impressed with the award recipients. The Lifetime Service Award went to Dr. Salem George from Lebanon. I have known Dr. George for several years and I have always heard great things about his practice of Medicine. A couple of Kentucky's outstanding legislators were recognized with Advocacy Awards. Representatives Mary Lou Marzian and Senator Julie Denton received these awards. I commend the efforts of all of these individuals and I am glad that they were recognized for the work they do.
For those of you who may be wondering, NO - I still didn't do the Twist!!!
Left to Right: Senator Denise Harper Angel, Jim Cole, Senator Julie Denton and Barry Denton
2009 Honorees from Left to Right: Jim Taylor with University Hospital, Don Kupper with University Hospital, Larry Forgy, President of Health Kentucky, Inc., Senator Julie Denton, Dr. Salem George of Lebanon, Kentucky and Dr. Phillip Aaron of Columbia Kentucky