Senior Health Insurance Program Volunteers Honored

Springfield, IL - The Illinois Department of Insurance recently presented its Central Illinois regional awards for volunteer service to its Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

Jules DeSilva of Peoria was honored as the SHIP Volunteer of the Year. He has served as a SHIP counselor since 1994 and volunteers through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Peoria and Tazewell Counties.

Jeanne Strate of Peoria was honored as the SHIP Coordinator of the Year. She has served as the SHIP Coordinator at OSF St. Francis Medical Center's GoldenCare - Center for Senior Health program since 1999.

The Chester P. Sutton Community Center for Seniors SHIP Unit was honored as the SHIP Team of the Year. The SHIP team is staffed by Kami Miller and Charles and Marjorie Latham, all of Paris.

SHIP is a statewide program that provides free insurance counseling both by Department of Insurance staff and trained volunteers on a variety of senior insurance issues including Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance and long term care insurance.