SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS HONORED

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Insurance recently presented the regional awards for its Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

Myrna Streeter of Shelbyville was honored as the Southern Illinois SHIP Volunteer of the Year. She has served as a SHIP counselor since 1995 and volunteers through Mid Illinois Senior Services in Shelbyville.

Alton Memorial Hospital's BJC Plus Program of Alton was honored as the Southern Illinois SHIP Office of the Year. They have been assisting Alton area Medicare beneficiaries since 1990.

Bob Green of Peoria was honored as one of the Central Illinois SHIP Volunteers of the Year. He has served as a SHIP counselor since 1998 and volunteers through the RSVP of Peoria and Tazewell counties.

Jane Barry of Taylorville was honored as one of the Central Illinois SHIP Volunteers of the Year. She has served as a SHIP counselor since 1993 and volunteers through St. Vincent Memorial Hospital in Taylorville.

Jan Swanson of Galesburg was honored as the Central Illinois SHIP Coordinator of the Year. She has served as a SHIP coordinator since 1997 with Cottage Hospital in Galesburg.

The Generations of Hope SHIP office from Rantoul was honored as the SHIP Office of the Year. This office has been serving Rantoul area Medicare beneficiaries since 1996.

Theresa Lukow of Kankakee was honored as the Northern Illinois SHIP Coordinator of the Year. She has served as a SHIP counselor and coordinator since 2000 with Provena St. Mary's Hospital Senior Care Plus program.

Scot MacWilliams of Lombard was honored as the Northern Illinois SHIP Volunteer of the Year. He has served as a SHIP counselor since 1989 and volunteers through the Tri-Town YMCA in Lombard.

Lester Bodner of Wheeling was honored as one of the Chicago - Metropolitan SHIP Volunteers of the Year. He has served as a SHIP counselor since 1999 and volunteers through Wheeling Township in Arlington Heights.

Dr. Robin Martin of Chicago was honored as one of the Chicago - Metropolitan SHIP Volunteers of the Year. He has served as a SHIP counselor since 1998 and volunteers through the Chicago Department on Aging.

Jean Cleland of Northfield was honored as the Chicago - Metropolitan SHIP Coordinator of the Year. She has served as a SHIP coordinator since 1990 with the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield.

SHIP is a statewide program that provides free Medicare and insurance counseling by trained volunteers on senior health insurance issues such as Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance and long-term care insurance.