Recognizing National Excellence in Supporting Blood Donation and Strengthening the Blood Supply
ABC is proud to recognize the following leaders from across the country for excellence in supporting the nation’s blood supply over the last year as part of our annual Awards of Excellence. These award recipients were honored in Washington, DC as part of our 2024 Annual Meeting, which brought together blood center executives and national leaders to discuss advocacy and regulatory updates; the latest in science, medicine, and technical affairs; and key topics facing the industry.
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Abel Martinez, Group Vice-President of Partner Relations, Risk Solutions, & Government Affairs at H-E-B, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
ABC Corporation of the Year Award
H-E-B
This award is given to a corporation that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the volunteer blood community. H-E-B hosted more than 50 community blood drives across South Texas last year, while also conducting drives for their employees. These efforts brought in more than 1,000 units of blood to the South Texas blood supply in 2023 alone.
ABC Outstanding Blood Drive of the Year Award
Barnett Harley-Davidson Blood Drive
This award is given to one blood drive that has demonstrated excellence in promoting blood donation through recruitment and collection efforts and establishing blood donation as a priority within an organization. The drive was started by Mr. Barnett after his cancer diagnosis in 2003 to promote the lifesaving power of blood donation that he saw firsthand. This drive marked its 20th year in July, having collected its 32,000th blood donation and awarded its 36th Harley-Davidson Motorcycle to a lucky donor.
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Kimberly Barnett, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Audra Taylor, Vice President of Blood Operations, South Texas Blood and Tissue, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
ABC Outstanding Public Relations Campaign
“Double Your Impact”
This award is presented to a member blood center for an outstanding public relations campaign that used print, radio, television media, and/or social media to promote blood donation awareness through original content and creativity. By allowing donors to donate their points accumulated with South Texas Blood and Tissue to a local nonprofit of their choice, this campaign has made a positive impact across the local community. More than 215,000 meals were provided to families in need through partnerships with food banks, more than 2,000 trees were planted in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, and camp experiences were organized for nearly two dozen pediatric cancer patients.
Larry Frederick Award
Angeleck Williams
This award is named after former Oakland police officer Larry Frederick, who was struck in a hit and run accident in 1982 while performing a routine traffic stop and received over 110 units of blood. It recognizes individuals for community leadership in raising awareness about blood donation. Working with LifeSouth blood center, Ms. Williams has organized 12 successful birthday blood drives that have helped collect more than 1,345 units of blood.
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Angeleck Williams, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
Debra Kessler, RN, MS, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
Thomas F. Zuck Lifetime Achievement Award
Debra Kessler, RN, MS
This award honors an individual for career achievement in the application of clinical, medical, and scientific research to improve methods of blood collection and safety and efficacy of blood products provided to patients. Since 1987, Ms. Kessler she has played key roles at the New York Blood Center, currently serving as Vice President of Medical Programs and Services. Ms. Kessler has been extensively involved in many in organizations over the years, while making significant contributions to TTID surveillance and research and work chairing the AABB Donor History Task Force.
ITxM Award for Excellence in Technical Operations
Alicia Bellido Prichard
This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the field of technical and laboratory operations in the blood banking field. Ms. Bellido Prichard has worked across the blood banking industry for more than 35 years. She has continuously demonstrated a dedication to patient care, leadership in implementing key initiatives, and driving innovation. This includes playing a pivotal role in manufacturing COVID-19 convalescent plasma and implementing Pathogen Reduction Technology.
Alicia Bellido Prichard, Senior Vice President, Biologics Laboratory and Supply Chain at OneBlood, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
Laurie Sutor with Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood CentersÂ
William M. Coenen President’s Award
Laurie Sutor, MD, MBA
Dr. Sutor is a distinguished national leader with a 30-year career at Carter BloodCare and over 40 years in healthcare. As the Vice President of Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer at Carter BloodCare, she has overseen multiple departments and held key positions at organizations, including the American Association of Tissue Banks, the American Medical Association, and the American Society for Apheresis. Dr. Sutor is also a renowned member of numerous professional associations, including serving as president of the North Texas Society of Pathologists, chair of ABC’s Scientific Medical Technical Committee, and chair of the Physician’s Council with the American Association of Tissue Banks.
William M. Coenen President’s Award
The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC)
This award was established in 2015 to honor Bill Coenen, former Chief Financial Officer of America’s Blood Centers, for his long service and commitment to ABC members. The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) is a national collaboration of blood centers that strategically collect and share surplus blood units on a rotating on-call basis, ensuring communities are well-prepared for demanding transfusion needs during natural disasters and large-scale accidents. BERC's proactive approach has effectively addressed periods of low blood supply, ensuring the continuous availability of blood products and reducing delays in life-saving blood transfusions.
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Nelson Hellwig, CEO of ACTS (Alliance for Community Transfusion Services), Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
Kate Fry, CEO of America's Blood Centers, Chris Staub, President and CEO of the Central California Blood Center, Rob Van Tuyle, President of America's Blood Centers
The Blood Community Advocate of the Year
Blood Centers of California
This award honors individuals who demonstrate leadership, commitment, or extraordinary service in advocating on behalf of ABC member blood centers and the blood community. Blood Centers of California is a collaborative network comprised of 11 non-profit blood centers across the state that ensure a safe and available blood supply for California's healthcare facilities, physicians, and patients. Each year, it provides over 1.4 million units of blood and blood products, meeting more than 90 percent of the state's demand.
National Partner of the Year
HOSA-Future Health Professionals
This award recognizes an ABC partner for their commitment to saving lives, helping communities, and supporting the blood supply. ABC and HOSA announced a multi-year national partnership in 2022 to encourage blood donation and careers at community blood centers. During the last academic year, more than 24,000 HOSA students donated blood, resulting in more than 21,000 units donated and as many as 63,000 lives saved. They are on track to exceed those numbers during this academic year.
