International Nonprofit Honors Norfolk Bank President

NORFOLK, VA (09/06/2011)(readMedia)-- On Oct. 15, Physicians for Peace is recognizing the committed support of Charlie Henderson, Hampton Roads market president for Bank of America, with a Medical Diplomat Award. The award ceremony will take place during the 2011 Physicians for Peace Gala in Norfolk, Va.

"Charlie has been a dedicated friend, donor and advocate for Physicians for Peace," said Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.), president and chief executive officer of Physicians for Peace. "By connecting Physicians for Peace with Bank of America and local Hampton Roads communities, Charlie has helped us reach even more people with stories of our work in underserved areas. It's a privilege to honor him with our Medical Diplomat Award."

Advocate and Friend

In 2010, Henderson helped organize a mobility device drive through Suffolk Christian Church, facilitating the collection of walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, canes and prostheses to benefit the Physicians for Peace Walking Free program. Through his support, Henderson has displayed humility and attention to personal details: moved by the story of a donor who wanted to support Physicians for Peace, Henderson has hand-delivered prostheses from his church directly to Physicians for Peace.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from Physicians for Peace," said Henderson. "It's a privilege for me to support and serve such a worthy organization and to be part of a company committed to strengthening and growing the impact of nonprofits in our community."

Last year, Henderson also delivered a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, which supported Physicians for Peace's efforts to improve maternal and child health in rural India. In November 2010, the grant enabled a six-person team of U.S. volunteer healthcare professionals to present lectures and training to 400 local doctors, surgeons, nurses and community health workers during a two-week mission in Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Sawangi, India. Without the grant, the mission to India would not have been possible.

In recent years, Henderson has spearheaded efforts with Bank of America employees to volunteer at Physicians for Peace events – a gift of time and talent that lets Physicians for Peace staff members devote themselves to the planning, coordination and support of current and future volunteer healthcare missions.

Henderson is one of three 2011 Medical Diplomat award winners. The other winners, Emily Tinsley, RN, MSNEd, an international burn care educator and consultant in Charlottesville, Va., and Josephine "Penny" Bundoc, MD, volunteer director of the Physicians for Peace-Philippines Walking Free program based in Manila, also will be recognized at the gala, alongside Harvey L. Lindsay Jr., chairman of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate in Norfolk, who will receive Physicians for Peace's Presidential Award.

Tickets and Sponsorships Available

The 2011 Physicians for Peace Gala will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside on Saturday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, visit www.physiciansforpeace.org or contact Laurie Harrison, (757) 625-7569.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace transforms lives by training, supporting and empowering healthcare professionals working with the world's underserved populations. Since 1989, volunteers have conducted medical missions in more than 60 countries. Find us online at www.physiciansforpeace.org and www.facebook.com/physiciansforpeace. Follow us on Twitter, Physician4Peace.

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