VERO BEACH — The Gifford Youth Activity Center has announced Jeffrey L. Susi as the 2013 Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award honoree. Mr. Susi, president and CEO of Indian River Medical Center, will receive the award at a celebration on Nov. 4 at The Moorings Club in Vero Beach.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour, followed by dinner and music from the Gifford Youth Orchestra. Tickets are $200 per person and can be reserved by sending a check to Gifford Youth Activity Center.
The Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award was established seven years ago by the Gifford Youth Activity Center Board of Directors to honor the leadership role Mr. Richardson played as a founder of GYAC and numerous other charitable endeavors.
The award is presented to citizens who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to improving the welfare and happiness of all people who live and work in Indian River County.
Joining the medical center in 1998, Mr. Susi’s vision and leadership have been the driving force behind the transformation of Indian River Medical Center from a good community hospital to an outstanding, top-quality medical center affiliated with Duke Medicine for heart and cancer care services.
Under his direction, since 2005, the medical center has completed a $105-million master facility plan including a state of the art ER, a heart center consistently rated one of the top cardiac surgery programs in America, a surgical intensive care unit and recovery room, and a patient pavilion.
IRMC’s current focus is to elevate cancer care for our community with a comprehensive cancer program affiliated with Duke Medicine already underway.
In addition to his professional contributions, Jeff’s volunteer involvement over the years has included serving as Healthcare Division Chair for United Way, being a board member for the Florida Hospital Association and Red Cross, and involvement in the Mental Health Association and Mental Health Collaboration.
He presently serves on the board of directors for The Moorings Club, the Florida State University College of Medicine Community Board, and as an affiliate faculty member of Xavier University.
The inaugural recipient and namesake of the award was Mr. Dan Richardson. Alma Lee Loy, Ellie & Bob McCabe, Father Richard Murphy, Dr. Hugh & Ann Marie McCrystal, Carter W. Hopkins & Dr. A Ronald Hudson, and Champ & Debbie Sheridan have also received this honor.
GYAC is located at 4875 43rd Ave. in Gifford. It is a 501(c)3 organization and a United Way Agency.
For additional information, please contact Nathan Bruckner at Gifford Youth Activity Center at (772) 794-1005 ext. 224 or by email at NBruckner@GYAC.net.