SHIIP Announces Annual Regional Awards Honorees recognized for outstanding service to Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has announced the recipients of the annual regional awards from SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program. SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance that offers free, objective information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues.

Commissioner Causey congratulated the following honorees:

Northeast Coordinator of the Year - Carolyn Keith, Granville County
Southeast Coordinator of the Year – LeAnn Blackmon, Harnett County
Central Coordinator of the Year – Katie Huffman, Durham County
Piedmont Coordinator of the Year – Rick Cook, Wilkes County

Piedmont County of the Year – Union County
Southeast County of the Year – Carteret County
Central County of the Year – Orange County
Western County of the Year – Alexander County

Northeast Volunteer of the Year – Gwyn McGhee, Pasquotank County
Southeast Volunteer of the Year – JoAnne Poore, Beaufort County
Central Volunteer of the Year – George Miller, Lee County
Western Volunteers of the Year – Caroline Crunkleton, Macon County

While SHIIP has a small paid staff, it relies on county coordinators to help organize nearly 1,000 trained volunteers to provide Medicare counseling in all 100 counties in North Carolina.

“I am humbled by the dedication and service that our SHIIP Coordinators provide to all local senior citizens and disabled Medicare recipients,” said Causey. “It is my honor to congratulate these award winners for their tireless efforts.”