Ed Blechschmidt to be Honored with C.W.
Post's
Prestigious William Zeckendorf Award
The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University has selected
the newly named Gentiva Health Services (formerly Olsten Health
Services, North America's largest home healthcare company) and
its chairman, CEO and president, Ed Blechschmidt, to receive
the prestigious William Zeckendorf, Sr. Award. The ceremony will
take place February 9, 2000 at the Garden City Hotel in Garden
City, New York.
Mr. Zeckendorf was one of America's master builders and a
longtime Long Island University trustee. This award commemorates
his devotion, brilliance and achievement by recognizing an individual
who embodies the values of entrepreneurship and vision of the
future that he held so dear. Past recipients include Mario Sbarro,
CEO of Sbarro, Inc., and Steve Kaufman, CEO of Arrow Electronics.
Gentiva Health Services has more than 400 offices, 38 pharmacies
(including two national distribution centers) and four regional
network management locations, as well as a caregiver staff of
more than 60,000 strong across the United States and Canada.
Under its new name, Gentiva is the largest provider of home infusion
therapy, as well as home health nursing and medical staffing
solutions. It will remain dedicated to improving the lives of
patients and their families, providing meaningful jobs for its
caregivers and value for its customers and shareholders.
Mr. Blechschmidt has been at the helm of Gentiva since 1998.
He had been president and CEO of both Siemens Nixdorf Americas
and Siemens' Pyramid Technology since 1996, as well as executive
vice president and board member of parent company Siemens Nixdorf
Information Systems AG of Munich, Germany. Prior to joining Siemens,
Mr. Blechschmidt served for more than 20 years with Unisys Corporation.
The February 9 benefit for Mr. Blechschmidt and Gentiva Health
Services will feature a performance by The Capitol Steps, a troupe
of current and former congressional staffers who monitor events
and personalities on Capitol Hill, in the Oval Office and in
other centers of power and prestige around the world. They take
a humorous look at serious issues while providing a nationwide
laugh for millions.
The majority of the proceeds from this event will support
healthcare scholarships for students at the C.W. Post Campus.
Other funding will go toward a Long Island University initiative
to educate over 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students at
the University's other campuses who are studying either pharmacy,
nursing, physical therapy or other health care programs.
For additional information, call the C.W. Post Public Relations
Office at (516) 299-2333 or email pr@cwpost.liu.edu.
