SAN DIEGO, Aug. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a ceremony recognizing the achievements of its former students and graduates, and in joint celebration of its 50th anniversary, the University of California, San Diego named American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) and Healthyroads, Inc. CEO, chairman, and co-founder George DeVries one of its "50 Distinguished Alumni." George was selected from a pool of more than 130,000 alumni who have graduated from UCSD during its first 50 years for his lifelong dedication to health, wellness, and complementary health care services for both San Diegans and Americans nationwide.
George DeVries launched his company nearly 25 years ago from the second bedroom of his condominium with the mission "to empower individuals to live healthier and longer." Over the years, George has guided ASH's growth to become one of the largest specialty health plans, insurers, and network administrators nationally for complementary and alternative health care—covering almost 19 million Americans. During this process, ASH achieved a variety of industry firsts, including:
- Creating the first specialty health plan for chiropractic
- Creating the first specialty health plan for acupuncture
- Creating the first national insurer for complementary and alternative health care
- Receiving the first national accreditations for a specialty complementary/alternative health insurer, network, and/or health plan organization
After the company achieved these milestones, George personally guided the innovation process that has transformed ASH into one of the nation's leading health and wellness organizations. ASH added prevention and wellness and Condition Coaching programs that now cover over six million members. ASH has also created fitness programs that cover over a million members. In total, ASH currently covers 25.9 million members under its various programs.
Key honors bestowed on George include:
- America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Innovators Award in 2004
- Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Health Sciences in 2000
- San Diego Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Health Sciences in 1997
- 21st Century National Leadership Award from Impact Urban America
Considered an early expert in the integration of complementary and alternative health care into third-party reimbursement, George was appointed by President Clinton in 2000 to serve on the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. He has testified before various congressional and legislative committees, and has published articles on complementary/ alternative health care and health improvement in numerous trade publications. He is also a frequent guest speaker on health care topics for various organizations.
Under George's leadership, ASH has been named:
- Among the 100 "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare magazine;
- One of the 5,000 Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies by Inc. magazine (three times);
- One of America's 15 Fittest Companies by Men's Fitness magazine;
- A three-time winner of National Business Group on Health Gold "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" award, and;
- A California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness Fit Company.
Based in San Diego for its entire history, ASH has been named one of San Diego's best places to work by the San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Magazine.
"I am grateful for this recognition," George said. "I'd like to thank UCSD and its faculty for the excellent education and preparation I received. It is a school that helps to make great things possible."
George was previously named an Outstanding Alumnus of UCSD, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He is also a graduate of the Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana and currently sits on its Board of Trustees.
For more information on George and his success, read his bio on ASHCompanies.com.
About American Specialty Health and Healthyroads
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health and wellness company that provides prevention and wellness services, condition coaching, specialty network management programs, and fitness and exercise services to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 800 employees and serves over 25.9 million members.
Healthyroads, Inc., a subsidiary of ASH, offers a wide range of Prevention & Wellness solutions—including award-winning telephone-based lifestyle and condition coaching programs, member engagement promotion programs (EngageHealthyroads.com), incentive management programs, competitive challenges, worksite wellness programs, and/or an integrated online health improvement portal, Healthyroads.com. Healthyroads offers wellness and prevention programs to more than 6.1 million members nationally.
For more information about ASH health and wellness programs, visit ASHCompanies.com or call (800) 848-3555. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ASHCompanies or www.Twitter.com/Healthyroads!