Awards Presented by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Recognize Individuals and Organizations Making Significant Contributions to Promote Respect and Understanding Among People of Diverse Backgrounds
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – William B. “Bill” Downey, President and CEO of Riverside Health System, was among the recipients of the 50th annual Peninsula Humanitarian Awards presented by the Peninsula Chapter of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) on February 22. The prestigious awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds in the Peninsula community.
Downey originally joined the Riverside team in May of 1981 as an Administrative Extern. He returned to Riverside in June 2001 and became President and CEO in 2012. Previously Downey served as President and CEO of Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia and CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Florida.
Over the years, Downey has been involved in many community organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Greater Peninsula NOW, and as a Board member of The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., the Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority, United Way, Towne Bank-Peninsula and Premier, Inc. He is also a past chair of An Achievable Dream, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, the United Way and Virginia Living Museum.
Joining Downey in receiving the 50th annual Peninsula Humanitarian Awards were Wendy C. Drucker, Managing Director of Drucker + Falk; Philip L. Hatchett, Managing Director at Kaufman & Canoles; Everette A. "Teddy" Hicks, Sr., retired educator and board member from Newport News Public Schools; Mark L. Tysinger ,President of Tysinger Motor Company; and the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute.
For more information on VCIC and the Peninsula Humanitarian Awards, visit www.inclusiveva.org.