SSMHC St. Louis Recognized Again for Promoting Diversity in Business Relationships

SSM Health Care-St. Louis (SSMHC-St. Louis) has received another award for promoting diversity in its vendor selection process.

The St. Louis based Missouri-Kansas Construction Contractor Assistance Center (MOKAN) gave its 2005 "Private Sector of the Year" Award to SSMHC-St. Louis. The award is given annually to an institution that has demonstrated a good faith effort to include minority and female contractors in contracting opportunities.

MOKAN, which represents minority businesses in architectural design and construction work, is nationally-renowned as a not-for-profit organization committed to assisting contractors in the construction industry and related fields in metro St. Louis and the surrounding area with trade, promotional and training activities.

"SSM Health Care-St. Louis truly earned this award," commented Eddie Hasan, MOKAN's Executive Director. "Diversity awareness is growing in the business relationships conducted throughout the St. Louis area. SSM Health Care-St. Louis has played a significant role in this progress."

The award was presented at MOKAN's 30th anniversary celebration June 22 in St. Louis. Previously, in 2003 and 2004, SSMHC-St. Louis' efforts to purchase from minority-owned businesses earned it "Institution of the Year" recognition from the St. Louis Minority Business Council, and the "Star" award from that organization in 2002.