SHIIP Statewide Award Winners Announced

SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, congratulates the winners of four statewide awards for their outstanding work in providing free, unbiased counseling about Medicare and other health insurance issues to seniors in North Carolina.

SHIIP County of the Year: SHIIP’s coordinating site in Camden County is the Camden County Senior Center. Coordinator Jasmine Wilson and her single volunteer initiated participation in a community event for 72 churches and have done outreach via Senior Games, Home Delivered Meals and congregate meal sites reaching more than 22,800 people in Camden County.

Deputy Commissioner and SHIIP Director Melinda Munden presents the SHIIP County of the Year award to Camden County Coordinator, Jasmine Wilson.

SHIIP Coordinator of the Year: Elaine Deppe is the SHIIP volunteer coordinator at the Transylvania County Cooperative Extension. Elaine has been the Transylvania County Coordinator since 2014 and in that time she has strengthened the program not only through her outreach and counseling efforts but also by having a strong volunteer presence. Her ability to build strong and lasting partnerships has contributed to her excellent outcomes. 

Deputy Commissioner and SHIIP Director Melinda Munden presents the SHIIP Coordinator of the Year Award to Elaine Deppe of Transylvania County.

Mickey Hanula Volunteer of the Year: Barry Edelman counsels at the Council on Aging in Union County.  Barry began service as a SHIIP volunteer in 2016 and has been the most active volunteer in Union County.  Not only did he counsel 167 individuals last year, he also participated in 46 outreach events in his county.  His passion for service is evident in all he does.

Deputy Commissioner and SHIIP Director Melinda Munden presents the SHIIP Mickey Hanula Volunteer of the Year Award to Andrew Friend, who accepted on behalf of Barry Edelman of Union County.

Jim Long Outstanding SHIIP Service Award: North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees Association (NCRGEA) has been a valuable partner with SHIIP in their efforts to bring SHIIP services across the state.  Their support and endorsement of SHIIP continues to improve health insurance education for citizens in North Carolina. 

North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees Association: Deputy Commissioner and SHIIP Director Melinda Munden presents NCRGEA with the Jim Long Outstanding SHIIP Service Award. The award was accepted on behalf of the NCCHCA by Richard Rogers, Executive Director of NCRGEA and Michele Nelson, Board Secretary/District 8.

“I am humbled by the outstanding services provided to the citizens of North Carolina and I congratulate each one of these deserving award winners for their dedication to SHIIP and to the Medicare beneficiaries in their communities,” Causey said. “Without the assistance of our coordinators and volunteers, we would not be able to assist as many people in our great State.”

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. SHIIP has nearly 1,000 trained volunteers across the state that provide one-on-one counseling in all 100 counties. For more information about SHIIP or to get answers to Medicare questions, call SHIIP at 855-408-1212 or visit www.ncshiip.com.