Merck CEO Ken Frazier and Congressman John Lewis

Washington, DC: National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) has announced the winners for its Lifetime achievement award. Though John Lewis and Ken Frazier hail from different walks of life, they each share a common goal of raising the bar for building healthy and sustainable communities. NMQF’s Lifetime Achievement Award is given to members of society who are driven to ensuring that the vulnerable racial and ethnic portions of our population receive optimal healthcare. How they do that is as unique as they are.

Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis represents the 5th district in Atlanta, Georgia and is renowned for leadership across the country. His involvement in healthcare policy has helped the marginalized receive better care at a better value. His work with Medicare and Medicaid has allowed thousands of seniors, disabled and minority communities access to healthcare and medicine. “We face significant challenges,” says Lewis, “but we cannot break that commitment of healthcare for the most vulnerable among us and I will not allow our budget to be balanced on the backs of people who can least afford it.”

Kenneth C. Frazier, CEO at Merck & Co. and former Merck legal counsel, has succeeded in delivering medicine and vaccines to the underprivileged while still running a Fortune 500 enterprise. Frazier’s mission in serving vulnerable communities while still providing a good return for investors and shareholders is a delicate balance: Frazier says, “While a fundamental responsibility of business leaders is to create value for shareholders, I think businesses also exist to deliver value to society.” Receiving this award from the NMQF shows that he has achieved that balance.

NMQF CEO Dr. Gary Puckrein not only leads the organization but also works tirelessly for communities in the area of medicine and healthcare. “It is an honor to recognize these two men, both defenders of healthcare for all, and each a pillar in his chosen field. Their life’s work has borne out the mission of the National Minority Quality Forum: to improve the quality and safety of health care for the entire U.S. population,” says Mr. Puckrein.

About National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF): The NMQF aims to assist health-care providers, professionals, administrators, researchers, policy makers, community, and faith-based organizations in delivering appropriate health care to minority communities. This assistance must be based on science, research, and analysis that lead to the effective organization and management of system resources to improve the quality and safety of health care for the entire U.S. population, including minorities