Free and Charitable Clinics Leader Receives 2015 Gelman Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nicole Lamoureux, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) received recognition today from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement as a 2015 winner of the Gelman Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award. She receives a $7,000 professional development grant, communication exposure through print and social media, and training and development opportunities for her staff and herself through the center's Learning & Leadership Institute.

"Being a recipient of the EXCEL Award is such an honor and accomplishment," Lamoureux said. "It's not just for me and the organization but is truly a testament to the hard work and innovation of my staff, our volunteers, partners and clinics. This award recognizes years of hard work while challenging us to continue to strive to be the best we can be in the future in our efforts to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable, good quality health care."

Lamoureux has led the NAFC since 2007. Since 2009, she has increased funding and recognition for the organization and the cause of Free and Charitable Clinics partly by staging 15 large, one-day or two-day clinics in communities across the nation. Those clinic events have served more than 17,500 uninsured people with the help of more than 16,000 volunteers.

"We are delighted to continue this important and rigorous competition in partnership with Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman," Glen O'Gilvie, chief executive officer of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, said. "Our executives lead an incredible amount of people and relationships in the best interest of their organizations and our communities. Accomplishing excellence is both amazing and inspiring. Congratulations to our winners and honorable mentions."

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, in partnership with Gelman Rosenberg and Freedman launched the EXCEL Award in 2005 to recognize and spotlight outstanding leadership of Washington-area nonprofit organizations. The award recognizes leadership achievement in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity and strategic leadership.

Finalists were selected through a three-step judging process including a comprehensive nomination form, in-person interviews with the executive director, and a site visit attended by staff, board members, the executive director and representatives from the communities served.

The award selection committee, which was made up of distinguished members of the business, philanthropic and nonprofit communities, searched for examples of outstanding leadership that have moved beyond the recommended best practices to bring new levels of engagement that deliver results for the organization.

The NAFC is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,200 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC works to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable, good quality health care and strives to be a national voice promoting good quality health care for all. The organization believes that access to health care should be a right, not a privilege, and it values volunteerism, community ownership, service and collaboration. For more information about the NAFC, visit www.nafcclinics.org.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Washington, D.C. The center directly partners with nearly 1,000 nonprofits (its members), helping them achieve their missions through training and technical assistance programs, networking, advocacy and group buying power. Learn more at www.nonprofitadvancement.org.