United HomeCare^® celebrates 50 years of caring by honoring of champions of aging at its Annual Claude Pepper Awards

Miami, FL—May 12, 2023—United HomeCare® (UHC), a leader and pioneer of home and community-based care and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving South Florida’s older adults, disabled adults, and family caregivers since 1973 helping seniors to age in place at-home with dignity, celebrated a milestone anniversary of 50 years of caring at its Annual Claude Pepper Awards luncheon on May 11, 2023.

Photo (l-r): Michael Salem, UHC Vice Chairman; Maria Gomez, UHC Board Secretary; Maria Lamas, UHC Board Member; Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, UHC Board Member; Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Healthcare Innovation Award; Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq., Thelma Gibson Community Service Award; Maximo Alvarez, Corporate Service Award; Senator Ileana Garcia, Public Service Award; Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Community Builder Award; Joe Natoli, Corporate Service - Healthcare Award; Carlos L. Martinez, UHC President and CEO; Michelle Barton King, Esq., UHC Chairperson of the Board; Jose K. Fuentes, UHC Immediate Past Chairman of the Board; Dr. Rudolph "Rudy" Moise, UHC Board Member

This year, United HomeCare proudly awarded the Claude Pepper Award to six extraordinary honorees: Maximo Alvarez, Founder & President, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc., Corporate Service; Joe Natoli, EVP and Chief Administrative Officer, Baptist Health South Florida, Corporate Service –Healthcare; The Honorable Ileana Garcia, Senator, District 36, Florida Senate, Public Service; The Honorable Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, Community Builder; Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Healthcare Innovation Award; and Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq., Shareholder, Becker, Thelma Gibson Community Service Award.

Carlos L. Martinez, UHC President and CEO with Calvin Hughes, Newscaster, WPLG-Local 10

Over 370 community leaders, healthcare professionals and dignitaries gathered in honor of the 2023 Claude Pepper Award recipients and gave a toast to celebrate the organization’s 50-years milestone anniversary. The sold-out event honoring champions of aging was led by United HomeCare, President and CEO, Carlos L. Martinez and Michelle Barton King, Chairperson of the Board, joined by all UHC Volunteer Board of Directors. Dr.h.c. Rachel Tourgeman delivered a moving invocation and Calvin Hughes, Newscaster, WPLG-Local 10, officiated as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Special recognition was given to all sponsors and supporters for their continued support. The Claude Pepper Foundation and their Chair and President, Thomas J. Spulak was also present in recognition of the event’s 28^th year. The Claude Pepper Awards luncheon is a signature event which pays tribute to the legacy of The Honorable Claude D. Pepper for his advocacy on behalf of the elderly and disabled, and honors exceptional individuals and organizations from the private and public sector who exemplify the spirit and ideals of the award’s namesake.

“Life is like riding a bicycle: you don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling,” an inspiring quote by the late Senator Pepper was the Gala’s theme conveying United HomeCare’s promise to continue its mission of caring, one that it has rendered to hundreds of thousands older Floridians for 50 years.

To learn more about United HomeCare or give your support to its vital cause, please visit www.unitedhomecare.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:        Alina Palenzuela CAP-OM

                                         Chief Marketing & Volunteer Engagement Officer

                                         Email: [email protected]

                                         Blanca Ceballos

                                         Community Relations Manager

       Email: [email protected]

Congratulations to the

2023 Claude Pepper Award Honorees

Thelma Gibson Community Service Award 

Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq.

Shareholder, Becker

Corporate Service Award

Maximo Alvarez

Founder & President, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc.

Community Builder Award

The Honorable Daniella Levine Cava

Mayor, Miami-Dade County

Corporate Service - Healthcare Award

Joe Natoli

EVP and Chief Administrative Officer, Baptist Health South Florida

Public Service Award

The Honorable Ileana Garcia

Senator, District 36, Florida Senate

Healthcare Innovation Award

Stephen D. Nimer, M.D.

Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Executive Dean for Research, Miller School of Medicine

Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

University of Miami Health System

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Anthony Brunson, P.A.

Baptist Health

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Fausto and Remedios Diaz-Oliver

First Quality Products, Inc.

HHAeXchange

Humana

José Milton Foundation

MagicWaste Youth Foundation

Pacific National Bank

Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon

Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc.

The Elias Law Firm

Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, Inc.

Trembly Law Firm

United Way Miami



Dare to Dream Sponsors

Avison Young

Bank of America

Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, MD, F.A.C.C.

FIU Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Forrestal Capital

The Claude Pepper Foundation

Thelma V. A. Gibson, RN

Truist

TwinMed, LLC

In-Kind and Media Sponsors

Doral Family Journal

El Vocero News

Latino Center on Aging

Miami Empresarial

Miami's Community Newspapers

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

The Pullman Hotel Miami

Silent Auction Donors

Bradford Portraits

Charity Connections

Grand Stand Sports

GSM Auctions

Wines for Humanity

Yip Fitness

Special Thank You to Our Vendors

CAO Chocolates

Casa Faroy Trophies

Dan Perez Films

DJ Peoples

Event Design Productions

Stacy E. Printing, Inc.

The Pullman Hotel Miami

TieMood on Etsy

WeddingGiftsbyEzzy on Etsy

WeddingUkraine on Etsy

World Red Eye Productions

unitedhomecare.com

(305) 716-0710