VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriSource Health Corporation
(NYSE: AAS) today received an award for its commitment to diversity in the
healthcare field from 4th & Short Distribution Inc., of Southfield, MI and New
York City, a minority-owned wholesale pharmaceutical, medical supplies and
equipment distributor, in conjunction with the Michigan Minority Business
Development Council.
The award was presented to R. David Yost, AmeriSource president and CEO,
Patricia Earl, an AmeriSource VP/General Manager, and Joseph J. Montoto, RPh,
VP Branded Rx Supply Management, AmeriSource, by 4th & Short Distribution,
Inc. co-founders, Ronald Jones, Sr., chairman and CEO, and Vincent Carter,
president and COO, at a ceremony held today at the company's Valley Forge, PA,
headquarters.
AmeriSource was selected for the award for its response to a 1998 request
by Detroit's HealthCare Collaborative that asked the Collaborative's
healthcare providers to increase purchases with minority-owned businesses. In
1999, AmeriSource entered into a partnership with 4th & Short Distribution to
supply pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products to Detroit-area
hospitals.
"AmeriSource had the vision to see the value in partnering with a small
minority-owned company such as ours," said Jones. "Because of its dedication
to local, customer-centered service, the company also had the autonomy to make
decisions at the local level and move quickly, which helped the partnership
flourish," noted Carter.
"We at the Michigan Minority Business Development Council congratulate
AmeriSource for recognizing the capabilities of minority businesses and for
assuring that their vendor base is reflective of their customer base," said
Dr. E. Delbert Gray, president and CEO of the MMBDC. "We also extend sincere
congratulations to 4th & Short Distribution Inc. for serving as a model to our
MMBDC members. It is most gratifying when we see first-hand the win-win
situations that supplier diversity programs create."
"We are delighted to receive this honor and we look forward to a long and
successful partnership with 4th & Short Distribution," said Yost. "This
partnership reflects our commitment to meeting the unique needs of our
customers in all the communities that we serve."
About AmeriSource
AmeriSource Health Corporation, with more than $11 billion in operating
revenue, is a leading distributor of pharmaceutical and related healthcare
services and the industry's largest provider of pharmaceuticals to the acute
care/health systems market. Headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, the Company
serves its base of about 15,000 customer accounts through a national network
of 22 strategically located distribution facilities. For news and additional
information about the company, visit its web site at www.amerisource.com.
About 4th & Short Distribution
4th & Short Distribution was founded in 1996 by Ronald Jones, Sr., and
Vincent Carter. With revenues of $3.5 million it is one of three
minority-owned and operated pharmaceutical wholesalers in the nation. Based
in Southfield, MI, and New York City, the company aims to close the health gap
for minority communities in the U.S. Through partnerships with key
manufacturers and significant national wholesalers, 4th & Short Distribution
is able to provide its customers with access to quality products and services
at competitive prices. Its sister company, UrbanHealthcare.com, is an
emerging e-healthcare company. Together, the two companies serve the product,
informational and educational needs of urban-based hospitals, medical
practitioners, government agencies and the patients they serve. For more
information about 4th and Short Distribution, call 888-42-SHORT
(888-427-4768).
SOURCE AmeriSource Health Corporation; 4th & Short Distribution Inc.;
Michigan Minority Business Development Council
CONTACT: Michael N. Kilpatric of AmeriSource, 610-727-7118 or
mkilpatric@amerisource.com; or Iris Raylesberg of Kapnek Communications,
215-830-9890 or irisr@voicenet.com, for AmeriSource/