Jeffrey McWaters To Chair Physicians For Peace Annual Gala

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NORFOLK, VA (05/20/2008)(readMedia)-- Physicians for Peace, an international organization focusing on medical education in developing nations, today announced that Jeffrey L. McWaters, former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Amerigroup Corporation, will chair the nonprofit’s annual gala, “Celebrate the Nations,” to be held Oct. 4, 2008 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

The 2008 Celebrate the Nations Gala will treat attendees to sights, sounds and tastes from around the world while drawing attention to the developing world’s need for improved healthcare. Physicians for Peace uses the annual event to highlight its efforts abroad while also calling attention to the efforts of influential individuals both locally and nationally.

“Jeffrey McWaters recognized a need in the healthcare market and built a solution for that need in Amerigroup,” said Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers, Physicians for Peace president and CEO. “His organization has helped improve not only the managed healthcare system but the fundamental health of the neediest Americans. Jeffrey’s devotion to providing healthcare to millions embodies the Physicians for Peace commitment to better the lives of the most underserved populations around the world. ”

Founded by McWaters in 1994, Amerigroup Corporation specializes in meeting the healthcare needs of low-income Americans enrolled in government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. In May 2008 he retired as the company’s Chairman of the Board. The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach and serves approximately 1.7 million members in 11 states nationwide. McWaters recently founded NationCare, designed to assist foreign governments in developing modern systems of education and access to healthcare.

“I am honored by the opportunity to join with Physicians for Peace in support of a cause to which I have dedicated much of my professional and personal life,” McWaters said. “Here in the United States and worldwide, millions of individuals still lack proper healthcare. But we can make a difference, and raising awareness is an important step. That’s why I am eager to participate in these efforts to help the underserved, and to welcome my friend Sen. Bill Frist, M.D. and join in expressing gratitude for his contributions as well.”

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. will deliver the 2008 Celebrate the Nations Gala keynote address. During the event, Dr. Frist will receive the Charles E. Horton Humanitarian Award for Global Health, named in honor of Dr. Charles E. Horton, Sr., an internationally recognized humanitarian, and founder of Physicians for Peace. Frist is only the second recipient of the prestigious award.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international private voluntary organization that mobilizes healthcare educators to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace creates long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based projects to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Volunteers for the 501©(3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 50 countries. More information is available at www.physiciansforpeace.org.

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