People Acting in Community Together
Honors Health Trust CEO Frederick J.
Ferrer With Leadership Award

Ferrer Honored as a Community Builder at Annual PACT Luncheon

 

December 8, 2008 - Today Health Trust CEO Frederick J. Ferrer received People Acting in Community Together’s Community Builder award for outstanding leadership. People Acting in Community Together (PACT) is an inter-faith, grassroots organization that empowers everyday people to create a more just community. Ferrer leads The Health Trust, a Silicon Valley based nonprofit foundation that provides grants, services and advocacy to support its vision of Silicon Valley as the healthiest region in America.

 

“We are thrilled Fred has been recognized,” says Health Trust Board President Richard Triolo. “One of The Health Trust’s core focuses is healthy communities – reducing and eliminating health disparities. At its very core, this is a social justice issue. No one understands social justice in this community better than PACT.”

 

When accepting the award, Ferrer urged PACT members and other community leaders to start changing the way we think about becoming the healthiest region in America. “Silicon Valley will truly be the healthiest region, not when we see health and wellness in our country clubs, but when we see it is possible for every resident in our Valley; the AIDS patient who needs help managing his disease, the child who has never seen a dentist.” Ferrer underscored PACT’s important role in this effort.

 

“Fundamentally, reducing and eliminating health disparities is about social justice and equality. Changes to our society like reducing poverty, securing access to health care and making our streets safe come from the community—they come from each of you. But you can’t make change alone, so PACT plays a critical role helping us identify our shared values and goals and how we can act together to achieve them.”

 

Ferrer discussed The Health Trust’s upcoming Health Disparities Summit, scheduled for February 4, 2009. PACT will play a key role working with participants to develop an action plan to address disparities in Silicon Valley.

 

Ferrer says, “The partnership between The Health Trust and PACT is a critical one. I can’t wait to see what kind of changes we can make together in 2009.”

 

 

About The Health Trust

The Health Trust is a nonprofit foundation that provides grants, services and advocacy to support its vision of Silicon Valley as the healthiest region in America. The Health Trust is the largest provider of services to Santa Clara County residents with HIV/AIDS and empowers patients and families to solve their day-to-day needs. For more information, visit www.healthtrust.org.

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For more information contact
Nicole Kohleriter
The Health Trust
Office:  408.879.4112
Cell: 415.385.2283
nicolek@healthtrust.org