RNBC’S Annual Awards Dinner celebrates the 13th year of helping children build on their strengths, with an expert talk about the value of friendship and three annual award presentations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2009
Contact: Michael Mesic (847–644-9151)
Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., renowned psychologist and behavioral researcher,
will present a talk on the dynamics and value of friendships from childhood through adulthood.
Annual Awards will honor Michael W. Ferro, Jr., a well-known entrepreneur and civic leader; Susan Noyes, a generous North Shore philanthropist and web site founder; and Joe Franco, an Aurora, Illinois, 12-year-old, and his family.
Chicago – Rush NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC) celebrates thirteen years of helping children with learning disorders build on their strengths at its annual awards dinner, Wednesday evening, October 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place in Chicago. This annual event raises funds to support RNBC’s educational, community outreach, and scholarship programs for underserved children in the Chicago area, as well as its nationally recognized research projects.
Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., presents “Relationships for a Lifetime”
The evening begins with a presentation by Dr. Stephen Nowicki, Jr., world renowned psychologist and behavioral researcher. Called “Relationships for a Lifetime,” the presentation focuses on friendships from childhood through adulthood, as well as the necessary skills for a lifetime of healthy relationships. Dr. Nowicki will also answer questions after the presentation.
Dr. Nowicki explains, “Though the type of friendship differs dramatically over a lifetime, being connected to others in a close, positive way provides not only a reason to live, but also an impetus to thrive and prosper. Learning how to relate begins at birth and continues throughout life.”
Dr. Nowicki taught at Emory University for 40 years where he served as Director of Clinical Training, Head of the Psychological Center, and Head of the Counseling Center. Among his many distinctions, he is the recipient of two Fulbright awards, was twice named a von Humboldt Scholar for Research in Germany, and has been awarded the Benjamin Meaker and Leverhulme Fellowships for research study in England. He is also the author of more than 350 books and publications. He currently serves as a consultant to public school programs and maintains an active clinical practice.
Award Presentations to Michael Ferro, Susan Noyes, and Joe Franco
Following Dr. Nowicki’s talk, there will be cocktails and dinner and the presentation of awards to three remarkable individuals: Michael W. Ferro, Jr., Susan Noyes, and Joe Franco.
Michael W. Ferro, Jr., receives the “Living Proof Award”
Mr. Michael W. Ferro, Jr. will receive the “Living Proof Award,” given to recognize an individual for a lifetime of achievements. Mr. Ferro is Chairman and CEO of Merrick Ventures, LLC, and Chairman of Merge Healthcare (Nasdaq MRGE) a healthcare technology company. As the Founder of Click Commerce, Mr. Ferro was an early pioneer of enabling business-to-business commerce over the Internet and is credited as the father of the “Extranet.”
Mr. Ferro is the Chairman of the Sports Advisory Council for the Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid. He is also a Director on the Board of Trustees of The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum of Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Northwestern University and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also serves on the boards of Children’s Memorial Hospital, The Northwestern Memorial Foundation and the Executive Committee of The Chicago Community Trust. Mr. Ferro is the Vice Chairman of the World Health Imaging Alliance, a board member of the Economics Club of Chicago and a member of YPO and The Commercial Club of Chicago.
Mr. Ferro has received numerous awards and honors, including becoming a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, winning the KPMG Illinois High-Tech Award, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Technology and the 2005 CEO National Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Susan Noyes receives the “Pearl H. Rieger Award”
Ms. Susan B. Noyes will receive the “Pearl H. Rieger Award,” which pays tribute to an individual or institution that has made a significant difference in the lives of children with neurobehavioral issues. Susan Noyes’ support and insights have benefited not only RNBC, but many other organizations that help children learn and thrive.
She has worked to help every child feel special and recognize their own abilities and strengths through her efforts at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, where she contributed generously to the launch of their new educational leadership degree, Howard Gardner’s current research on collaboration and state-of-the-art facilities; the Chicago Public Education Fund (for which she was recruited by then State Senator Barack Obama), which focuses on improving education for the neediest children, and the board of New Trier High School, where she helped mitigate the effects of a culture of competition by working to ensure that every child had a meaningful experience and opportunity to participate in activities promoting personal growth.
Finally, as the founder of the online community resource Make It Better (and a new magazine of the same name), Susan B. Noyes is working to keep the idea of contributing to organizations benefiting children fresh and vital in the minds of her readers.
Joe Franco and his family receive the “Creating the Future Award”
Joe Franco and his family will receive the “Creating the Future Award,” which celebrates the success of a child affected by neurobehavioral issues and the family that has created an optimal environment for their child’s development.
We first saw Joe Franco at RNBC when he was 5 years old and frustrated by having social and language skills that couldn’t keep pace with his superior perception and reasoning skills. In the past seven years, Joe and his family have done absolutely everything they could and Joe has made fantastic progress.
He’s gone from being a boy who did not understand that others had thoughts and feelings of their own to a friendly and sensitive guy who always asks “How are you.” And after he asks, he listens to the answer. Joe exemplifies the enormous distance a child and his family can travel together.
RNBC is part of the Pediatrics Department of Rush University Medical Center
We celebrate the achievements, dedication, and success of our three award recipients, and all the children who have been helped by the clinical, educational, and research staffs at RNBC. RNBC serves the medical, psychological and educational needs of children with learning and behavior disabilities, specializing in social-emotional learning disorders, including ADHD and autism.
RNBC Annual Awards Dinner details:
Location: Four Seasons Ballroom, 120 E. Delaware, Chicago
Date: October 21, Wednesday evening
Time:
5:00 PM: Dr. Nowicki Presentation
6:00 PM: Cocktails
7:00 PM: Dinner and Awards Program
Tickets must be purchased in advance
Tickets begin at $500 per person or $5,000 for a table of ten
Higher levels of contribution are available
To purchase tickets, please contact Bridgette Battaglia (RNBC) at 847–933-9339
Business attire required
For information about the Annual Awards Dinner or RNBC programs and services, please contact Michael Mesic (Mesic & Company) at 847–644-9151 You may also visit the RNBC website at www.rnbc.org.
###