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| Ruben P. Cowart |
Syracuse, New York (November 14, 2010) — Dr. Ruben P. Cowart will be recognized Dec. 3, 2010 at the 100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc. third annual honors banquet for his leadership over the past 33 years of the Syracuse Community Health Center. Dr. Cowart, who is founder, president and chief executive officer of the SCHC Companies Inc. and its three affiliate corporations, will be honored with Dr. Sharon Brangman, Dr. Saundra Barnett-Reyes and one other distinguished medical professional during the banquet, whose theme is “Setting New Standards in Health & Wellness.” The final honoree will be announced next week.
Honorees will be cited for their individual and professional achievements as well as their community service during the fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 441 Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Proceeds from the banquet, which will feature musical entertainment by Soft Spoken, will be used to help support 100 Black Men of Syracuse’s youth programs and other community service activities.
Dr. Cowart provides overall leadership for the SCHC System of Care, which operates with an annual budget of more than $133 million, employs more than 450 workers, insures more than 40,000 residents and provides primary health care annually to about 75,000 patients. Under Dr. Cowart’s leadership, Syracuse Community Health Center has grown to include 15 neighborhood-based health centers throughout Onondaga County and more than 100 board-certified providers and support staff.
Since founding Syracuse Community Health Center in 1978, Dr. Cowart has served in major leadership positions with numerous local, state and national organizations. Currently, he is chairman of the Syracuse Planning Commission, a member of the Syracuse Housing Authority board of commissioners, a regional representative on the National Association of Community Health Centers board of directors, member of the SUNY Upstate Medical University Council and a member of the Crouse Hospital board of directors.
100 Black Men of Syracuse Inc., sponsor of the banquet, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan volunteer organization founded in 2007. The group was inducted in June 2009 as an official chapter of 100 Black Men of America Inc. 100 Black Men of Syracuse's primary focus is on mentoring local male students and has started mentoring programs at Fowler High School, Blodgett School and Percy Hughes Magnet School, as well as its own "Manhood Training Academy." Members of the organization also support a variety of other community initiatives, including the Eradication Squad Precision Drill Team, SAT preparatory classes and other education, health and wellness and economic development programs.
