(l-r) Sandra Peebles, Univision 23; Dr. Jeffrey Horstmyer, UHCS Board Member; Hermes Alvarez, TD Bank Event Sponsor; Claude Pepper Award recipient, Dr. Phillip Frost; and José R. Fox, President & CEO of UHCS. 

United HomeCare Services (UHCS) recently hosted the 16th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards event. The event honored six South Florida champions who, like the Honorable Claude Pepper, have made a significant contribution to meeting the needs of the growing elderly and disabled population in Miami-Dade County. In addition, commemorative awards were presented to two inspiring individuals in the areas of innovative research and active living.

Honorees included:
· Corporate Service – Healthcare: Philip Frost, M.D., Chairman and CEO, OPKO Health
· Public Service: The Honorable Joe Negron, The Florida Senate
· Thelma Gibson Community Service: Kevin Packman, Partner, Holland & Knight
· Public Awareness/Media: John Dorschner, Reporter, The Miami Herald
· Advocacy: Edwin Olsen, M.D., Miami Area Geriatric Education Center
· Community Builder/Contributor: Colonel Brodes H. Hartley, Jr., Community Health of South Florida, Inc.
· Commemorative Awards:
– Innovative Research: Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D., John P. Hussman Institute for

(l-r) Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance, Commemorative Award recipient for Research Innovation, and Jose K. Fuentes, UHCS Board Member.
Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
– Active Living: Hyman Pinsky, 2003 National Senior Olympic 10K Cycling Champion