December 2011 Archives

It's not the typical work day when I don a hard hat and get mud on my shoes.

Friday, December 16, was a pretty cool day (literally and figuratively). It was the "Topping Off" ceremony for GSK's future Philadelphia home at Five Crescent Drive in the Navy Yard. Representatives from GSK, Liberty Property Trust, and LF Driscoll, along with about 80

construction workers, signed the final steel beam.  And then the beam was hoisted WAY up in the air, waving around in the wind, until its final resting place at the top of the building. Two men were at the top waiting to secure the beam in place. I almost got vertigo just looking at them and was suddenly quite grateful for my safe office job.

On top of the beam stands an evergreen tree signifying the safe completion of the structure. This being mid-December, it looks suspiciously like a Christmas tree. But this tree tradition in the construction world actually has nothing to do with Christmas traditions.

Bill Hankowsky, Liberty's Chairman and CEO, thanked the workers for their contributions and the amazing progress on the building. Back in June, we had stood at the same site, looking at a big pile of dirt.

Speaking of dirt, next came the muddy part. A flock of GSK employees, including NA Pharma President Deirdre Connelly, traipsed through the grounds to the stairway and walked up to the third floor. What a view! Ships and water on one side, Center City on the other side. And there will be no need for traffic reports for 95--just look out the window (once there are windows)!

Too soon, the celebration was over. Now we can start thinking about the next big celebration - the grand opening--as we prepare for our move at the end of next year.

While it may be difficult to find free or affordable healthcare services, it is not impossible. 

This week, employees at GlaxoSmithKline held two special ceremonies to honor ten outstanding healthcare nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia and North Carolina that work hard every day to offer vital healthcare services to those who are in need. 

The winning organizations in Philadelphia include:

Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc.
Phoenixville Healthcare Access Foundation
Support Center for Child Advocates
Water Street Health Services

The North Carolina recipients are:

The Healing Place of Wake County 

Helping Hand Clinic Inc. 

Housing for New Hope, Inc. 

Moore Free Care Clinic, Inc.

North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. 

Senior PharmAssist, Inc. 

During the ceremonies, the men and women who work at each of the ten organizations were very humble and, at times, a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. But they deserved it. The services that they provide and the number of hours spent in doing so are immeasurable. 

Each organization was awarded $40,000.  In accepting their awards, representatives from each organization thanked GSK for recognizing their efforts and vowed to continue in their fight in providing free or affordable healthcare services to those who needed it the most. And to that we say, 'keep up the good work.'

To qualify for a GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT award, organizations must be located in the eligible counties and have a primary mission to provide access to community healthcare services. Each applicant must have annual total operating expenses between $160,000 and $3 million, and have been in existence as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for at least five years.

All organizations are recognized for the success and achievements of their existing overall body of work, not just for new or specific initiatives. A panel of healthcare delivery experts and GlaxoSmithKline representatives determine the winners based on a strong demonstration of ongoing success in providing access to healthcare, commitment to serving people in need, facilitation of healthcare delivery, creative partnerships and policy development, and a solid record of achievement, management and leadership.